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Aberdeenshire

The Bothy Braemar

A café by the Clunie Water in Braemar, for breakfast rolls, toasties, ciabattas and home baking, with gluten-free cakes kept apart and dogs welcome.

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Welcome

In the middle of Braemar, where the Clunie Water tumbles over its rocks on the way to the Dee, the Bothy is a café in a wood-lined room with big windows over the river, and the sound of the water fills it.

It is clean and spacious, and the cooking is homely.

The menu is hearty and unfussy: breakfast rolls and a full breakfast, a vegan one among them, then toasties, ciabattas and hot drinks, and cakes and cookies to follow, the orange and almond cookie a favourite. It is a good place for coeliacs: the gluten-free sandwiches come on wholemeal bread, and the gluten-free cakes are kept apart from the rest.

Dogs are welcome at the tables inside and out, and the outdoor seats look straight over the rushing river. It opens every day from half past eight, early enough for walkers setting out for the Cairngorms; park in the village, as there is no space at the door.

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Before you go

Open every day from 8.30am.

Dogs are welcome, inside and out. Park in the village; there is no parking at the door.

Where
Invercauld Road, Braemar, AB35 5YP.
Telephone
01339 741019.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
8.30am–4.30pm
Tuesday
8.30am–4.30pm
Wednesday
8.30am–4.30pm
Thursday
8.30am–4.30pm
Friday
8.30am–5pm
Saturday
8.30am–5pm
Sunday
8.30am–5pm

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Where it is

On Invercauld Road in the middle of Braemar, beside the Clunie Water.

Close byBraemar.
  1. Saltire flag flies above the Fife Arms Hotel's stepped gablesBraemarA Highland village at the head of Royal Deeside.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. The white front of Farquharson's in the middle of Braemar.Farquharson's Bar and KitchenBraemar's village pub, in an old grocer's shop, with a beer garden over the Clunie Water.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. The Flying Stag, AberdeenshireThe Flying StagUnder a mile 1 min by road
  4. Bertie's Whisky Bar, red velvet chairs among walls of bottles in lamplight.Bertie's Whisky BarUnder a mile 1 min by road
  5. Gordon's glass counter of cakes under its chalkboard sign in Braemar.The Gordon’s Tearoom BraemarA tearoom and restaurant in the village.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Braemar CastleBraemar CastleA tower house with a star-shaped curtain wall.Under a mile 2 min by road
Directions
A path through the heather towards the wooded slopes of Creag Choinnich above Braemar.WalksCreag Choinnich0.4 miles
The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion at Braemar, green timber under red roofs and a white clock tower.AttractionsBraemar Highland Games Centre0.5 miles
The deep trench of the Lairig Ghru between steep hillsides.AttractionsThe Lairig Ghru4.3 miles
Loch Callater lying in its glen between heather slopes and hills.WalksLoch Callater4.7 miles
River tumbling over rocky rapids through pine forest under grey skiesAttractionsLinn of Dee6.7 miles
Rusted metal standing stones on a hillside overlooking a wide glenAttractionsThe Watchers6.8 miles
Stone church with spire and rose window at end of tree-lined driveAttractionsCrathie Kirk9.0 miles
John Brown’s Grave, BallaterAttractionsJohn Brown’s Grave9.1 miles
Shelves of fresh rolls, butteries and bakes at the Highlanders Bakehouse under a chalkboard.CafeThe Highlanders Bakehouse9.2 miles

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The Daily for 25 October, from Scotland with love. bare tree stumps standing in an autumn loch, forested hills reflected in the still water

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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.

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the café, 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
  • 8 miles from the Bothy
Free 25–27 OctA 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
  • 11 miles from the Bothy
Free 25–27 OctA wooden table and chairs with green cushions stand on a stone patio beside a gabled stone house, a lawn stretching in front.Laggan Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Ballater
  • 11 miles from the Bothy
Free 31 Oct – 2 NovTwo grey linen sofas face each other across a dark wooden coffee table, checked roman blinds at the windows and a framed landscape print on the wall.Old School Cottage
  • Sleeps 7
  • In Ballater
  • 11 miles from the Bothy
Free 28–30 OctPlaces 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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