Hidden Scotland
Sign in
A heritage railway platform in Aberdeenshire, benches and flower baskets beside a maroon and cream carriage.
Aberdeenshire

Royal Deeside Railway

A heritage railway at Milton of Crathes near Banchory, running steam and diesel trains along a stretch of the old Deeside line beside the river, from an award-winning Victorian station.

Welcome

At Milton of Crathes, just east of Banchory, a little Victorian station with a wooden canopy and flower tubs stands beside a platform where a red and cream train waits.

This is the Royal Deeside Railway, bringing back a stretch of the old line that once ran from Aberdeen up Deeside to Ballater.

The trains, pulled by steam or diesel, run along the banks of the Dee through the woods, and the whole trip out and back takes a quarter of an hour or so. Inside, the old carriages have tartan seats and wide windows looking out over the river and the hills to the south. The station itself has won awards, and there is a shop with ice creams.

The railway runs only on set days through the year, with cream tea trains and Santa specials, so it is worth checking the timetable. The shops, gallery and brasserie of Milton of Crathes are right next door.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 2 November, from Scotland with love. Cloud shadows cross a sunlit mountain above a loch, rust-coloured moorland stretching below
Before you go

Trains run only on set dates through the year; check the railway's timetable.

On running days they leave Milton of Crathes on the hour from 11am to 4pm, for a return trip of 15 to 20 minutes. No booking is needed except for cream teas and steam experiences.

Where
Milton of Crathes, on the A93 three miles east of Banchory.
Trains
On the hour, 11am to 4pm, on running days.

Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your review

Did you know

Milton of Crathes' own gold-lettered window above a "Train Tickets & Shop" sign at the heritage railway.
Did you know

On the hour.

On running days trains leave Milton of Crathes on the hour, from 11am to 4pm.

An empty vintage railway carriage in Aberdeenshire, its rows of upholstered seats lit by the corridor windows.
Did you know

Steam and diesel.

The railway runs both steam and diesel trains on standard-gauge track beside the Dee.

An empty vintage railway carriage in Aberdeenshire, its curved roof and patterned seats stretching toward the next carriage.
Did you know

One station.

The trains only stop at Milton of Crathes, running out along the river and back.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Aberdeenshire

When this branch route was closed in 1966, it looked to be the end for a scenic line which had been used by the Royal Family – and many others – to make their way to Balmoral. But there’s life in the old rails yet. Now a heritage railway, it gives the chance to travel along part of the standard-gauge track, in steam and diesel-hauled engines.

Read more
01 / 05
Where it is

At Milton of Crathes, on the A93 three miles east of Banchory.

Close byBanchory.
  1. Yolk General Store's bright room, a blue dresser by a white window under a yellow ceiling.Yolk General StoreUnder a mile 1 min by road
  2. Milton of CrathesMilton of CrathesA courtyard of shops, a gallery and a brasserie.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Turreted stone castle with flag pole, surrounded by autumn trees and lawnsMilton of Crathes to Crathes Castle WalkUnder a mile 2 min by road
  4. Milton Art GalleryMilton Art GalleryUnder a mile 2 min by road
  5. Crathes CastleCrathes CastleA turreted tower house with painted ceilings and yew hedges of 1702.Under a mile 5 min by road
  6. Two little green engines of the Alford Valley Railway with red buffers, outside the engine shed.Alford Valley RailwayA narrow-gauge railway across the Howe of Alford.23 miles 31 min by road
Directions
Maison Castanié, AberdeenshireCafeMaison Castanié0.3 miles
An angler fly-casting on the Dee with a guide at his shoulder.AttractionsTwin Peakes0.3 miles
Glazed hot cross buns beside broken chocolate slabs with caramel bars on topCafeCafé 1702 at Crathes Castle0.9 miles
Crathes Castle's turrets rise beyond rose hedges and a walled garden pathAttractionsCrathes Castle Walled Garden0.9 miles
Maroon sign reading "Fold Craft & Design Store" against a cloudy skyShoppingFold1.9 miles
The Barn's glass-fronted building and stone steading among daffodils.AttractionsThe Barn Arts1.9 miles
Buchanan Bistro's high-ceilinged dining room at the Barn in Banchory.CafeBuchanan Bistro1.9 miles
Ride Coffee House, a white building with a glass gable and garden chairs.CafeRide Coffee House Banchory2.6 miles
Banchory Lodge's glass-roofed garden room set with tables and wicker chairs.RestaurantsBanchory Lodge2.9 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

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

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 8 miles from the Royal Deeside Railway
Free 8–9 NovA stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Cuttieshillock
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glen Dye
  • 8 miles from the Royal Deeside Railway
Free 3–4 NovA stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.Gamekeeper’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 8 miles from the Royal Deeside Railway
Free 3–4 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 8 miles from the Royal Deeside Railway
Free 12–13 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Read on

What we have written about it and more in Aberdeenshire.

ArticleScotland by Bike: 10 of the Best Trails to RideArticleScotland's Most Scenic Train JourneysArticleThe History of the Royal Deeside Railway Line
More in Aberdeenshire
Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .