Aboyne - Royal Deeside Town

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Aboyne, Royal Deeside, with Detectives helping Chief Inspector Sandy Wedge investigate the death of Willie Sinkett, Aboyne Golf Club's head greenkeeper, by gathering evidence around Aboyne and eliminating suspects linked to rival greenkeepers.

The investigation covers approximately 2.2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll start at the Shopping Square car park just off the A93 Ballater Road, then follow the case through the town centre, Station Square, the Deeside Way, Aboyne Green and the grounds of St Thomas's Church before returning to the start / finish area near the town centre and car park.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is relatively level throughout and mainly follows clear footpaths, pavements and quiet country lanes, but it also includes narrow roads and lanes with no pavements in places, blue metal steps and an uphill section by an alleyway.

Take extra care when crossing roads. The route crosses the A93 more than once, passes over a bridge by Tarland Burn, and uses narrow roads and lanes with no pavements in places, so single file is advised in those sections.

Getting There

By car: Start the investigation at the Shopping Square car park just off the A93 Ballater Road (AB34 5HT). This is the recommended car park for the route.

By public transport: Make your way to the Shopping Square car park just off the A93 Ballater Road to begin the case. The circular route finishes back near the town centre and car park.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets can be found across the road from the Shopping Square, or at the Co-op supermarket, not far from the start / finish points.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation 🐾

The route includes footpaths, pavements, quiet country lanes, narrow roads with no pavements in places, blue metal steps and a bridge by Tarland Burn. Keep canine colleagues close around traffic, especially where the case crosses the A93, and go single file on the narrower road and lane sections.

Food & Drink Stops

Evidence-gathering can be hungry work. Pick up provisions in the town centre near the start and finish, with the Co-op supermarket also close to the start / finish points. The route also has restaurant stops shown along the way.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Aboyne Green

Aboyne Green is a brilliant central breather in the village. It was modelled by one of the first Marquesses of Huntly on a traditional English village with a green at the centre, and many large events are held here. Very few Scottish towns have such an asset, so it's worth lingering once the suspects have been thoroughly interrogated.

St Thomas's Church

The investigation enters the grounds of St Thomas's Church, where there are more clues to find. Once you're off duty, take a calmer look around the church grounds and the doorway details that helped your squad piece together the evidence.

Station Square and the Deeside Way

The route passes Station Square and the old station buildings on the way round, as well as taking in the Deeside Way. It's a good historic stretch to enjoy at a slower pace after the case has stopped demanding quite so much forensic attention.