Kincardine O'Neil: Walks, History and Craft

Kincardine O'Neil offers different starting points for planning a stay: circular walks with specific distances and walking times, historical connections to the River Dee, a local textile studio and opportunities for cycling. You can decide whether to focus more on outdoor activities, local history or craft. Time and difficulty information is provided for the three circular walks; the history and studio offer a different focus from planning a route.

Circular Walks and Route Planning

The village community describes three circular walks that can be compared by length, duration and difficulty rating. The circular walk to St Erchard’s Well is 1.1 km long, takes about 30 minutes and is rated moderate. The Riverside Walk covers 1.3 km, takes about 35 minutes and is rated easy. The Heugh Head Circular is 2 km and takes an hour; this walk is also rated moderate. St Erchard’s Well and Riverside are close in duration at around 30 and 35 minutes; Heugh Head takes an hour, while Riverside is the only one of the three walks rated easy.

The Deeside Way runs for more than 2½ miles through the Kincardine Estate in the Kincardine O'Neil area. The Telephone Kiosk serves as an information point, where walking leaflets are available. So, alongside the routes described, there is a named place to find information about the walks.

River Dee, Scheduled Monument and Churches

Kincardine O'Neil was the site of the first bridge across the River Dee. The village’s development was also linked to crossings over the Dee. This places the specific history of the bridge alongside the broader connection between river crossings and the development of the village.

The site of the old church and hospital of Kincardine O'Neil is designated a Scheduled Monument. Kincardine O'Neil Old Parish Church is believed to have been built around 1330. Christ Church has stained-glass windows. Taken together, these details offer different historical points of interest: a Scheduled Monument, an approximate date of construction and a feature of the church.

Craft at ARRA Textiles

ARRA Textiles makes limited-edition, handwoven pieces at its Studio Gallery in Kincardine O'Neil. You can see the loom at work in the studio. This puts both the handmade pieces and the process of making them in focus. For travellers interested in textile design, it offers a different perspective on the village from its walks and history along the River Dee.

Cycling Through Different Landscapes

Around Kincardine O'Neil, there are opportunities for cycling on flat paths and quiet country roads, as well as in mountains, moorland and forests. The range spans flat, peaceful surroundings and mountainous, heather-clad and wooded landscapes. If cycling is important to your stay, you can consider the character of the landscape as well as the activity when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Stonehaven, Milltimber, Johnshaven, Fraserburgh, Tarland, New Aberdour, Dinnet, Newmachar

For the broader travel overview: Aberdeenshire.