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A figure walks a path above a rocky gorge cutting through pine-covered slopes.
Aberdeenshire

Linn of Dee

A narrow rocky gorge where the Dee pours through below a granite bridge opened by Queen Victoria in 1857, on the National Trust for Scotland's Mar Lodge Estate.

Welcome

Six miles west of Braemar, at the end of the road up the Dee, the young river squeezes through a narrow slot of rock, churning brown and white between walls carved into curves and potholes.

This is the Linn of Dee, and across the top of it runs an elegant granite bridge, built by the Earl of Mar and opened by Queen Victoria in 1857. She came here often to picnic.

Around the linn stand old Scots pines, and in autumn the birches and larches glow gold along the banks. The land is part of the National Trust for Scotland's Mar Lodge Estate, one of the wildest stretches of the Cairngorms, and the linn is the gateway to it: from the car park, tracks run north through Glen Lui to Derry Lodge and on into the mountains.

The gorge is a short walk from the car park, and there are picnic places by the river.

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Before you go

Free, at any time.

A path leads from the car park through the pines to the bridge and along the gorge; longer walks start here into the Cairngorms.

Where
Six miles west of Braemar on the Linn of Dee road.
Looked after by
The National Trust for Scotland, Mar Lodge Estate.

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Did you know

A rocky gorge cuts between pine-covered slopes beneath a grey sky.
Did you know

A queen's bridge.

Queen Victoria opened the bridge over the linn in 1857.

A river tumbles over a rocky bed through a pine-forested gorge.
Did you know

A royal picnic.

The Linn of Dee was one of Queen Victoria's favourite picnic places.

A figure walks a path above a rocky gorge cutting through pine-covered slopes.
Did you know

The way in.

Tracks from the linn lead through Glen Lui to Derry Lodge and the high Cairngorms.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Aberdeenshire

Formed where the Dee has to squeeze its way through a narrow rock gorge, the picturesque Linn O’ Dee has long been a favourite spot for an amble and a linger – Queen Victoria herself was known to be partial to picnicking here.

Read more
Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Cairngorms

Six miles west of Braemar, at the end of the road up the Dee, the young river squeezes through a narrow slot of rock, swirling brown and white between carved walls. This is the Linn of Dee. Across the top runs a graceful granite bridge, opened by Queen Victoria in 1857, and she often came here to picnic. Old Scots pines stand round the gorge, and in autumn the birches glow gold. It is part of the National Trust for Scotland's Mar Lodge Estate, and tracks lead on from here deep into the mountains.

Read more
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Where it is

Six miles west of Braemar, at the end of the road up the Dee.

Close byMar Lodge.
  1. The WatchersThe WatchersUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. The deep trench of the Lairig Ghru between steep hillsides.The Lairig GhruThe hill pass through the central Cairngorms from Speyside to Deeside, rising to 835 metres.3 miles 9 min by road
  3. Linn of QuoichLinn of QuoichA waterfall and the Earl of Mar's Punchbowl, across the Dee.4 miles 10 min by road
  4. The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion at Braemar, green timber under red roofs and a white clock tower.Braemar Highland Games CentreThe story of the Highland games and the Braemar Gathering, in a pavilion by the games park.7 miles 12 min by road
  5. Saltire flag flies above the Fife Arms Hotel's stepped gablesBraemarThe village of the Braemar Gathering.7 miles 12 min by road
  6. Braemar CastleBraemar CastleA white tower house of 1628.7 miles 14 min by road
Directions
Gordon's glass counter of cakes under its chalkboard sign in Braemar.CafeThe Gordon’s Tearoom Braemar6.5 miles
Bertie's Whisky Bar, red velvet chairs among walls of bottles in lamplight.RestaurantsBertie's Whisky Bar6.6 miles
The Flying Stag, AberdeenshireRestaurantsThe Flying Stag6.6 miles
The white front of Farquharson's in the middle of Braemar.BarsFarquharson's Bar and Kitchen6.6 miles
The Bothy's wood-lined café room in Braemar, a dog at the big windows over the river.CafeThe Bothy Braemar6.7 miles
A path through the heather towards the wooded slopes of Creag Choinnich above Braemar.WalksCreag Choinnich6.9 miles
Loch Callater lying in its glen between heather slopes and hills.WalksLoch Callater11 miles
A landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.CrathieFaunoran HouseSleeps 10 · 16 miles
Devil’s Elbow Viewpoint, AberdeenshireAttractionsDevil’s Elbow Viewpoint17 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the linn, and when each is next free.

A landscape view of Faunoran House from the garden, the terrace and its white table, the house reflected in the long pond.Faunoran House
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Crathie
  • 13 miles from the Linn of Dee
Free 1–3 NovA whitewashed cottage sends a thread of smoke from its chimney, framed between pine trunks with a dog bounding through the grass.Coire Domhain Cottage
  • Sleeps 10
  • In Glenfeshie
  • 14 miles from the Linn of Dee
Check datesKennels Cottage, CairngormsKennels Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glenfeshie
  • 14 miles from the Linn of Dee
Check datesA grand stone house with multiple gables and chimneys stands on a lawn at dusk, a Land Rover parked in the drive under a stormy sky.Gairnshiel Lodge
  • Sleeps 16
  • In Glengairn
  • 16 miles from the Linn of Dee
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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