History of Banchory

There is evidence of people living in the Banchory area since the Mesolithic times. The original settlement lay to the eastern end of today’s town, and St Ternan established a "Banchor" (place of Christian learning) there around 500 AD. In the fifth to sixth centuries this area grew. A Christian College was built, followed by a series of churches on the same site. Today only the old churchyard remains complete with a two-storey circular watch house built to deter body snatchers.

In the early sixteenth century the Burnetts of Leys erected Crathes Castle to the east of Banchory.

The bridge over the River Dee and it’s tollhouse were completed in 1798 and, following the demolition of the last of the churches on St Ternan’s original site, a new church was built closer to the new crossing, which was rapidly becoming the center of the new town.

In 1848 Queen Victoria spent a holiday at the Balmoral Estate near Ballater. By 1854 she and her husband Prince Albert had bought the estate and had replaced the old castle by a grander building, that which we know today as Balmoral Castle.

In 1853 the railway came to the village bringing a rapid growth in both business and housing. By 1866 it had been extended to its final destination of Ballater.

Between 1854 and 1866 Queen Victoria passed through Banchory on her way to Balmoral and stopped for afternoon tea in the town on various occasions. On one occasion it is reputed that, due to travel delays, she stayed overnight in The Burnett Arms Hotel in the Town’s centre.

The railway was demolished in 1966, but a three-mile stretch is being rebuilt from Crathes to Banchory as a tourist attraction.

In 1885 the town was established as a Burgh and gained more financial power allowing for the creation of a public supply of fresh water and the provision of an area of land for public recreation. In 1905 Banchory Golf Club was created on this land and it is still possible to walk the length of the course next to the River Dee.

A sanatorium opened in 1900 and was used until 1934 when it was sold and turned into the Glen O'Dee Hotel. In 1950 it became a National Health Service convalescent hospital. Although a new hospital was built alongside the old one, the original is a listed building and cannot be demolished.

Modern day Banchory is well served by a fascinating mixture of shops that are not at all the usual chain-store clones, and which thrive in this Deeside town.

There are castles, museums, galleries, specialty shops, restaurants, and plenty more in Banchory to keep you entertained. The scenery is fabulous and the history is interesting. The climate is good most times of the year giving you another reason to visit Banchory. There are many attractions in this area and several within walking distance of the hotel.