Beaches
Tornashean is about one hour's drive from the East coast where there is a good beach at Balmeddie (just north of Aberdeen) and a similar distance from Stonehaven (via Banchory) where there is a wonderfully atmospheric ruined castle - Dunnotar, which is perched on the cliffs.Map of Balmeddie Beach

From experience, the best beach to visit is on the North East coast.
Drive to Findhorn which is on Burghead Bay (a very long sandy beach with virtually no one on it !). This will take one and a half hours, but is a lovely drive via Criagellachie and Elgin (where you could visit the Johnstons of Elgin factory shop and restaurant - full of beautiful cashmere and clothing).

At Findhorn a good lunch is to be had at the Crown and Anchor Hotel.
Return to Tornashean via Forres, Dallas (the original - but still a tiny village), Ballindalloch and Glenlivet through some more great scenary.

Map of Findhorn

Castles
Aberdeenshire is absolutely riddled with many historic and important
castles: Corgarff, Kildrummy, Crathes, Craigevar, Castle Fraser, Fyvie and Drum to name but a few. It undobtedly has the biggest concentration of castles in the country and is a castle buff's paradise.

Game Shooting
Stag and hind stalking and grouse shooting can be organised with a number of local estates if enough notice is given. For stag stalking and grouse shooting especially, it is best to plan at least six months in advance.

** Except on enclosed still waters, where there is no closed season.

Within these bands dates vary from river to river according to local regulations for example:

Fishing
Tornashean is conveniently placed as a base for fishing on the Dee
(25 minutes to Ballater) the Deveron (50 minutes to Huntly), the Spey (50 minutes to Craigellachie and 40 to Grantown). The Avon (tributary of the Spey) is only 20 minutes away at Tomintoul.

We also have our own fishing (1.1 miles of double bank) which holds some very good wild Brown Trout (but difficult to catch) and Salmon later in the season. Tickets only available from the Colquhonnie Hotel two miles down the road. Tickets for miles of the surrounding Candacraig waters are also available from the hotel.

There is also very good fishing available further down the Don, and if conditions are right there is good salmon fishing to be had at Alford (Castle Forbes) - tickets available at the Forbes Arms Hotel ( 25 minutes) and at Monymusk at the Grant Arms Hotel (40 minutes) and many of the lower beats.

The salmon Hatchery for the whole of the River Don is two miles down the road at Forbestown. It is at the Mill of Newe and is on the left hand side soon after the Colquhonnie Hotel and has a bright red door and car park. If any of the bailiffs are on duty they will be delighted to show you around the juvenile salmon at their various stages and explain the life cycle of this most incredible fish. This is also a very good place to take children who always find it very interesting.

There is also a little fishery (man made loch) at Ardgeith (signposted to the right three miles down the road to Aberdeen). This is an ideal place for children to learn.

Fishing Contacts:
The Colquhonnie Hotel 019756 51 210

Mrs Taylor, Delnabo Estate on the River Avon at Tomintoul 01807 580 366 (Good if there is plenty of water)

Forbes Arms Hotel 01975 562108

Grant Arms Hotel 01467 651226

The best place to find good fishing generally on all the local rivers is to log on to www.fishscotland.co.uk which is a fantastic website where an awful lot of good quality fishing is available - and also some very good last minute offers.

As mentioned before, Tornashean is a great base for a week's fishing as it is ideally located within striking distance of a wide variety of different types of fishing.

Wildlife

We also have rabbits by the hundred (please keep all gates closed at night because the rabbits come in and decimate the garden) plenty of Roe Deer (see them mainly in very early morning or late evening) in the vicinity of the house.

More elusive are the Otters ( there is a pair whose territory includes our stretch of river), Capercaillie up in the large pine woods (even more elusive) and adders, - not normally seen around Tornashean but up in the hills sunning themselves when it is hot.

We never used to have midges but over the last ten years or so the winters have been very mild and pathetic by Strathdon standards which has meant that some midges can survive the winter. However, they are not a problem at all compared to the West Coast beasts !

Out on the hills you will see Red Grouse, Blue Hares (they turn white in winter) and Red Deer. Occasionally one may see Blackgame (quite rare these days) and Ptarmigan (the Mountain Grouse - which also turns white in winter)

Birds of note around Tornashean include Buzzards, Herons, Oyster Catchers, Sandpipers, Dippers, Ducks and Goosander. In the garden we are visited by Siskins and Woodpeckers and in the woods across the river can sometimes be seen Scottish Crossbills and Long Tailed Tits.

Treat your feet - the essential luxury in walking socks! - More info>