Tourism and Culture
In summer, when tourists visit, the number of people and vehicles increase dramatically. The Highland Games on The Village Green is a notable feature in August and the population of the village doubles. However, Aboyne is unusual in having The Green on which events are held, as the village was modeled by one of the first Marquesses of Huntly (inhabitants of Aboyne Castle) on a traditional English village with a green at the centre. Few Scottish towns have such an asset.
The British Royal Family are residents in nearby Balmoral Castle during the Summer.
There are many outdoor pursuits available including walking, cycling, and most notably, gliding from the airfield just outside the village. Aboyne has become extremely popular with gliding enthusiasts from all over Britain and Europe due to its uniquely suitable air currents (due to the surrounding terrain). The airfield has a webcam and small weather monitoring centre on its premises. It is the only gliding airfield in Scotland to boast of having a tarmac runway, of which it has two in parallel which run east-west.
The close-by pass of Ballater is a popular rock-climbing area. The village of Dinnet is a few miles west and is the first being located inside the famous Cairngorms National Park. Walkers and cyclists can ascend Mount Keen by cycling as far as they can from Glen Tanar forest before walking to the summit.
There are also many more leisurely activities, such as sitting at local cafes and viewing various attractions. Aboyne is also a good place for younger children, as there is a large green which includes facilities for rugby and football and a play park.
There are two schools, an academy and a primary school. The academy has around 650 pupils, about a third from Aboyne itself, with the remaining two thirds from surrounding villages. The school has access to a full size swimming pool and gym run by the adjacent Deeside Community Centre.
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