Dyce in Aberdeen

Aberdeen's airport is based in Dyce, in the north west of the city.  Although part of Aberdeen, Dyce has a village feel to it.  There are a few of hotels here, the Skean Dhu, the  Speedberg Travel Lodge, both based at the airport, the Marriot Hotel,and the Hen and Blackie Travel Lodge, in Dyce itself.   It can sometimes be difficult to obtain a room at the hotels during the week because of all the oil related business in the area. There are also a number of guest houses, including the Granville Guest House, 58, Victoria St., Dyce.

A place set aside for watching aircraft take off and land is located in the road to the left of the car hire car park at the airport.  There are no parking restrictions here and it's not really any further to walk from the terminal building than the main car park so free parking is readily available but rarely used.

Trains from Dyce Railway Station travel to Aberdeen mainline station, and from there it is possible to catch a train to Edinburgh, London or other cities.

The train line also used to run to Peterhead and Fraserburgh but was abandoned quite a few years ago.  The old train line to both of these destinations has now been redeveloped as a dedicated cycle path or walkway; some of it has been resurfaced in concrete.  The Formartine and Buchan Way starts at the far end of the station and continues through the park in Dyce, onwards to Mintlaw (past Aden Country Park) and onto Fraserburgh. The photo below shows the path at the right hand end of the station with the airport behind. 

Entertainment is limited to pubs, social clubs, and community clubs. The nearest cinemas and night clubs are in Aberdeen. 

A regular bus service to Aberdeen for shopping and entertainment can be caught from the road behind the Asda Supermarket (half hourly).  Visitors to Dyce may wish to note that there is a cafe and toilets in the Asda shopping centre.  Lunch and snacks may be obtained here or at one of the hotels or pubs in the town.

Good fish and chips can be purchased from the busy Fish and Chip shop in Station Road.

The River Don runs through Dyce.  Fishing is available by permit.  Attractive walks and park areas have been created along the river bank and there is plenty of space for ball games or picnics. Very pleasant walks can be found in Parkhill Forest on the other side of the river but a car is essential to get to them, either via the Peterhead road and taking the right hand turn at the Parkhill crossroads, or via Persley. Photograph of open mixed woodland at Parkhill Forest is shown on the left.  

A larger forest with walks and superb mountain bike paths and bridleways is 2-3 miles north west of Dyce along the A96 at Kirkhill Forest. The forest has plenty of interesting walks with raspberries growing wild along the paths, heather on sunny banks, rowan trees and even the odd red currant bush or two.  There are brambles and ferns everywhere.   We spotted roe deer twice on the same evening.  The mountain bike trails are well sign posted and are part of a Trail Quest or orienteering on a bicycle. A map can be picked up at the car park at the entrance.   The forest and Trail Quest are highly recommended.

Dyce is well situated for easy access to all visitor attractions in the north east of Scotland.   It's only 15 minutes by car to the superb beach at Balmedie, or  Aberdeen, close to Royal Deeside, Donside, the whisky and castle trails, Speyside, the many visitor attractions and wonderful coastline. 

Click here for a list of Scottish self-catering holiday cottages and apartments.

Self-catering holidays in Royal Deeside,  Scotland

Sleeps 2-6: Stranduff Lodge Croft is a delightful detached country cottage situated in an idyllic location, just outside the charming village of Kincardine O'Neil , in the heart of Royal Deeside.

Built out of granite in the 19th century, Stranduff Lodge Croft was originally a working croft, since upgraded to provide superior and spacious accommodation for tourists and visitors, the croft is an excellent base for exploration, adventure or relaxation. With the addition of the superb views (see the peak of Lochnagar on a fine day) and the spacious garden grounds (over half an acre) with barbecue and garden furniture, a stay in Stranduff will be a stay to remember.

Please click on the photograph to find out more about a stay in this country cottage on Deeside with views of Lochnagar.

Self-catering log cabin holidays in Dinnet, Royal Deeside,  Scotland

Our comfortable self-catering log cabins are set in the centre of Royal Deeside at the Eastern Gateway to the Cairngorms National Park.

Located in the wee rustic village of Dinnet, our Woodland Lodges make a convenient base to visit and explore the many sporting and tourist activities Royal Deeside has to offer.

Outdoor activities include bird watching, fishing, walking, gliding, shooting, quad biking, archery, go-carting, mountain climbing, skiing (Glenshee and the Lecht for skiing and fabulous views are only a 45 minute drive away).

Visitor attractions in this north east part of Scotland include Balmoral Castle (10 miles away), the Castle trail, Whisky Trail for a range of distilleries to tour and whiskies to sample, Victorian Heritage Trail, Aberdeen City and the Coast, Cairngorm National Park with plenty of opportunities for bird spotting including eagles and other birds of prey .....

Each lodge has 2 bedrooms sleeping up to 4 people. They have fully fitted kitchen including integrated dishwasher and fridge freezer. With spacious open plan lounge/kitchen/dining areas and a decked patio area to enjoy in the summer months. The bathroom has bath tub and shower. The lodges are double glazed and centrally heated making them a cosy retreat after a day out on Royal Deeside.