Description
Bennachie Visitor Centre is a fantastic community-run gateway to one of Aberdeenshire’s most iconic hill ranges. As one of the best things to do with kids in Inverurie, this nature and education centre offers families a chance to explore the great outdoors with easy-to-follow trails and interactive indoor displays. It serves as a perfect starting point for discovering the local wildlife and the fascinating history of the "Colony" settlers who once lived on the hillside.
Entry to the visitor centre itself is free, though donations are encouraged to help with its community-run upkeep. While there is no admission fee to explore the exhibits, you will need to pay for parking, which is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines fresh Highland air with an educational day out, Bennachie is a top choice. The centre provides a warm welcome with plenty of resources to help you choose the right path for little legs.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
What makes Bennachie Visitor Centre unique?
This centre is unique because it is managed by a local charity, the Bennachie Centre Trust, ensuring a personal and community-focused atmosphere. It offers a specialized sensory play experience through its "Discovery Trail," which is designed to be accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. Unlike many mountain starting points, this site provides interactive exhibits that explain the unique geology and folklore of the peaks before you even start your climb.
- Interactive History: Learn about the 19th-century Colonists who carved out a life on the hillside.
- Accessible Nature: The Discovery Trail allows even the youngest children to experience the deep forest without difficult terrain.
- Wildlife Watching: The centre features a bird-watching window where kids can spot woodland species in comfort.
Top 5 Highlights
- The Discovery Trail: A short, circular path starting right at the centre that is perfect for toddlers and features wooden sculptures.
- The Colony Room: An indoor exhibit where kids can see how the historic settlers lived and even try on some traditional-style items.
- The Bird Viewing Window: A quiet spot inside the centre with feeders that attract siskins, woodpeckers, and coal tits.
- Mither Tap: For older kids with more stamina, this peak offers incredible views and the remains of an ancient hill fort.
- The Warden’s Workshop: A peek into the tools and methods used to maintain the forest and protect local biodiversity.
Bennachie Visitor Centre and its surroundings offer several distinct areas and activities:
- The Discovery Trail (Easy-access 15-minute loop).
- The Colony Trail (Leads to the ruins of the 19th-century settlements).
- Mither Tap Path (The most popular climb to the summit).
- Oxen Craig Path (A longer trek to the highest point of the range).
- Interactive Floor Map (A giant map inside the centre showing the hill range).
- The Gift Shop (Stocking local crafts and educational nature books).
- Picnic Area (Outdoor wooden benches near the main entrance).
- The Community Room (Often hosts local art or history exhibitions).
- The Sculptures (Look out for the carved wooden animals along the easier paths).
- The Granite Exhibits (Samples of the rock that makes up the famous hills).
Beyond the Main Attraction: Just a short drive away is the village of Chapel of Garioch, where you can find the Maiden Stone, a massive Pictish standing stone featuring intricate carvings that fit perfectly with a day of historical discovery.
18.83 miles
