Heritage

With 5000 years of history on our doorstep, you will be spoilt for choice on places to visit. We have distinctive Standing Stones, 18th Century Castles and Victorian Heritage in abundance. All of which are easy to explore by simply following one of the North East Scotland’s unique heritage trails, or by taking a short journey on the Royal Deeside Railway Line.

For a map showing the sites of historical interest around Banchory please click here.

Archaeology

Archaeological evidence shows that people have settled on the banks of the River Dee since Mesolithic times more than ten thousand years ago.

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St Ternan

The settlement of Banchory-Ternan, or Banchory as it is known today, began to grow in the fifth to sixth century AD when a Christian College was founded by St Ternan on the banks of the River Dee close to the present day graveyard.

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From Crannog to Castle

After the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314AD, Robert the Bruce gave land to the de Burnard family, a local family who lived on a Crannog or loch dwelling at the Loch of Leys.

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The Watchtower

In the eighteenth century the terror of the body snatchers reached Banchory.

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Thomas Reid 1710-1796

Thomas Reid, (1710–1796), Scottish  philosopher and contemporary of David Hume,  was born on 26 April 1710 in Strachan, near Banchory, Kincardineshire, the son of the Reverend Lewis Reid (1676–1762) and his first wife, Margaret, née Gregory (1673–1732).

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Dr Francis Adams 1796 - 1861

Dr Francis Adams was Banchory’s local doctor for forty two years from 1819 until his death in 1861.

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From Small Settlement to Victorian Town

The 19th century brought considerable changes to Banchory.

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James Scott Skinner

James Scott Skinner is considered one of the most influential fIddlers in Scottish traditional music.

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Nordrach-on-Dee

In the mid nineteenth century a new approach to treating tuberculosis was established in Germany.

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Canadian Lumberjacks

In 1940 the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit came to Britain to clear forests and to supply timber to assist the war effort.

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Arts and Music

Today the award winning Banchory Strathspey and Reel Society continue the tradition of Banchory born Scott Skinner, who was one of the most influential fiddlers in Scottish traditional music.

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Dee Lavender

From 1946 to 1986 Banchory had a thriving lavender business - Ingasetter Ltd., which was once famous around the globe.

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The High Street

Banchory High Street is an attractive shopping area with a wide range of independent shops.  It has a fascinating history but is not the site of the original settlement of Banchory, which was located to the east.

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