Bothies & Bannocks

Bothies & Bannocks offers chauffeur-driven food and drink tours throughout the Deeside area of Aberdeenshire. The name Bothies & Bannocks reflects our North East Scottish heritage: a “bothy” is a traditional farm or estate outbuilding, now often used by hillwalkers as simple shelter, while each region of Scotland has its own version of a “bannock”—in Aberdeenshire, a hearty pancake typically served with butter and jam.

We provide a range of tours that allow your clients to enjoy the best food and drink Aberdeenshire has to offer, meet the people behind the produce, and immerse themselves in local culture. Bespoke tours are available on request.

Tours

Aberdeen Angus and Absinthe

• Travel Trade Exclusive: No
• Duration: 5–6 hours
• Group Size: 1–8
• Pricing: Available on request

Highlights:

• Tour of an Aberdeen Angus cattle farm, meet the farmer, and hear his stories
• Aberdeen Angus lunch with drinks (local beer or soft drink)
• Tour of Lost Loch Distillery — Scotland’s first absinthe-producing distillery

Market Day Cookery Class

• Travel Trade Exclusive: No
• Duration: 8 hours
• Group Size: 1–8
• Pricing: Available on request

Highlights:

• Scenic drive to a farmers’ market to meet producers and select ingredients
• Visit to an independent drink emporium (drinks purchased separately)
• Return to Aberdeen for a hands-on cookery class and three-course meal

Royal Whisky and Cheese Tour

• Travel Trade Exclusive: No
• Duration: 8–9 hours
• Group Size: 1–8
• Pricing: Available on request

Highlights:

• Visit to the Old Royal Station in Ballater to explore the Royal Carriage and sample an Aberdeenshire delicacy
• Distillery tour and tasting at Royal Lochnagar Distillery
• Lunch at an artisan baker’s café
• Tour and tasting at Cambus o’May Creamery showcasing traditional farmhouse cheeses

Speyside Drams Tour

• Travel Trade Exclusive: No
• Duration: 10+ hours
• Group Size: 1–8
• Pricing: Available on request

Highlights:

• Visit to the Speyside Cooperage to watch traditional cask making
• Tours of two lesser-known Speyside distilleries
• Traditional Scottish pub lunch
• Stop on return journey for a pie, pint, and dram at a remote bar

Spirit of the Angus Glens Tour

• Travel Trade Exclusive: No
• Duration: 7–8 hours
• Group Size: 1–8
• Pricing: Available on request

Highlights:

• Hearty Scottish brunch at Castleton Farm Shop
• Distillery tour and tasting at Ogilvy Vodka — Scotland’s first potato vodka
• Gin tasting at the Gin Bothy, including four full pours with nibbles