Less Abled Facilities - Mobility Restrictions
This section is aimed at giving advice to visitors with
a range of mobility limitations, whether accompanying young children,
pushing a pushchair, walking with a stick, being restricted to
very short and gentle walks or needing wheelchair access. There
are plenty of places that cater for these needs and facilities
are improving all the time.
Browse through the list of sites below to discover what Deeside
can offer you. Glen Tanar
Start point - from the main car park, located half way
up the glen.
Facilities
- The Ranger Service is keen to encourage less able visitors to
the estate and special needs groups regularly help out in and
around the visitor centre.
- Possible obstacles: To get to the Visitor Centre and some of
the walks, you must cross a steep, hump-backed bridge with a kissing-gate
at one end. The Visitor Centre entrance can be tricky too, but
the Ranger Service will help you on request.
- Disabled toilets: At the Visitor Centre.
- Other information: Contact the Ranger Service (tel. 013398 86072)
for guided events for organised disabled groups.
Bell Wood, Aboyne
Facilities
- There are no special facilities as yet, but a grant has just
been secured to create an all abilities trail network…watch
this space!
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve Start point - from the Burn O' Vat Visitor Centre (open
May-September), located next to a level car park with two designated
wheelchair spaces. Facilities
- Special provisions have been made at Burn O' Vat to ensure that
all visitors can enjoy this attractive ravine. As well as a wheelchair-friendly
Visitor Centre, there is a 400-metre long all-abilities path leading
from the Visitor Centre down to the Vat burn.
- Possible obstacles: Due to the nature of the ravine, it may
be difficult for some visitors to go further than the end of the
all-abilities trail. There is a bridge with steps up to it and
after the bridge the path is narrower and stonier.
- Disabled toilets: Near the Visitor Centre, open Easter-September.
- Other information: Contact the site manager (013398 81667) for
guided events for organised disabled groups, Easter-September).
Cambus o' May Forest Walks
Start point - All walks start from the screened car park
area in the forest. Facilities
- Picnic area and a viewpoint are within a few metres of the car
park.
- There is an attractive 1 mile (1.5 km) circular all-abilities
route which has resting places along its length, especially at
the top of the few steeper sections. While you rest, you can read
some of the interesting interpretation placed along the trail.
- Disabled toilets: There are no public toilets, the nearest ones
are in Ballater, 3 miles, 5km to the west.
Glen Muick and Lochnagar
Start point - All walks start from the main car park at the
end of the road. The car park includes two designated wheelchair
spaces. The Visitor Centre is 200m away, along surfaced estate track.
Facilities
- The approach road gives spectacular views of the mountain landscape
as well as of the resident wildlife. From the car park, the estate
track leading to Loch Muick has a hard surface, though it is rough
and stony in places.
- Possible obstacles: The track leading round Loch Muick is for
estate vehicle use and, though in good condition, is stony and
rough.
- Disabled toilets: Though not specifically designed for the less
able, the toilets here (located 100 m from the car park) are wide
and relatively easy to use.
- Other information: Contact the ranger service for guided events
for organised disabled groups.
Balmoral Castle
Start point - Please enquire at the main gates for disabled
parking. Facilities
- All the exhibitions, shops, cafeteria and gardens are suitable
for all-abilities. Wheelchairs are also available from the Estate
Office.
- Disabled toilets: There are several throughout Balmoral.
Crathie
Facilities
- Holiday accommodation: Excellent facilities for visitors with
disabilities. For more information click
here
Glen Gairn
Facilities
- There are no special facilities, but the informal lay-bys along
the road provide fine views of this remote glen and its wildlife.
Invercauld Bridge/Keiloch Start point - There is informal parking only along the estate
road leading to the Keiloch. Facilities
- There are many fine, hard surfaced estate roads and tracks leading
through the grounds.
- Possible obstacles: A cattle grid must be crossed to reach the
Keiloch.
- Disabled toilets: There are no public toilets yet, the nearest
ones are in Braemar (3 miles, 5km).
Braemar
Start Point - The main car park is in the centre of the village,
close to all the amenities. Facilities
- There are several scenic routes around the village on the tarmac
roads.
- Disabled toilets: Next to the main car park.
Linn of Dee and Glen Quoich Start Point - The main car park is at the Linn of Dee, with
another, informal one at the Linn of Quoich. Facilities
- There are good, level tarmac roads immediately around Mar Lodge.
The drive up to the Linn of Dee is very attractive, and it is
possible to park by the road on the way.
- Possible obstacles: A cattle grid must be crossed to reach the
gorge at the Linn of Dee. The informal car park at the Linn of
Quoich is on a rough field.
- Disabled toilets: There are no public toilets, the nearest ones
are in Braemar (6½ miles, 10.5 km from Linn of Dee and
9 miles, 14.5 km from Glen Quoich).
- Interpretation: Contact the ranger service (tel. 013397 41669)
for guided tours for the less able.
Glen Callater Start Point - Informal parking is available at the foot
of the glen. Facilities
- The drive up the Braemar -Glenshee road is very dramatic and
wildlife sightings are frequent.
- Possible obstacles: The trail through the glen, up to Loch Callater
is a rough, stony land rover track.
- Disabled toilets: There are no public toilets, the nearest ones
are in Braemar (2 miles, 3 km) .
Glenshee Ski Centre at the Cairnwell Start point - Large parking area with some additional spaces
available just a few metres from the Centre. Facilities
- The views to and from the Ski Centre are spectacular. There's
also a café and a shop at the Centre if you want to spend
more time up there.
- Disabled toilets: at the Ski Centre, open all year round.
- Other information: Click
here for information for disabled people interested in mountaineering.
There is also a Skiing for Disabled Club in Braemar, tel. 013397
41423.
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