Auchenblae (the name meaning "the field of flowers"...) is the closest village to The Stables. The village has a 9/18 hole golf course, tennis courts, grass bowling green, play area, two Inns, two shops, an excellent butcher and a garage.

On entering the Glen of Drumtochty from the village you will see nestling on the right the church of Saint Palladius, once past the entrance to Drumtochty Castle, the next drive on the right is the entrance to The Stables, which is 2 miles from the village.

The Stables had fallen into ruin and were converted into apartments in the early nineties as part of a project by the previous owner of Drumtochty Castle. The castle was once a hospital during the war, then a boys school, followed by a restaurant, before reverting to a private home again.

Next to The Stables you'll find the Forestry Commission car park where there are a number of forest path's and a marked cycle route for 12.4 miles.

ACCOMMODATION:

Caledonia is a one bedroomed apartment which sleeps 2/4 people, with a double bed or two singles in the bedroom. In the sitting room and dining area is a bedsettee, piano, television and video etc. The kitchen has an electric oven, microwave, washing machine and refrigerator with small freezer. The bathroom has an electric shower above the bath, electric shaver point and electric towel rail. All the heating is electric. Telephone for incoming calls only. Linen and towels provided. Golf clubs and trolly availble. Electricity included.

LOCAL GOLF COURSES:

Auchenblae, Edzell, Stonehaven, Brechin, Banchory, Inchmarlo and Montrose.

LITERATURE: O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker. Penguin Books. Elspeth was the daughter of the headmaster at Drumtochty Castle Boys School and widow of the poet George Barker. A novel based in the area. A Scots Quair - Sunset Song, Cloud Howe, Grey Granite by Lewis Grassic Gribon.

PRICES: As from 30 August 2000

From 250.00 to 350.00 per week

Tour route by car

Leaving the stables and heading west along the glen, after a mile you will see on your left Loch Saugh where a permit to fish can be obtained from the village. The road meets the Old Military road (B974) where you'll see a licensed restaurant 'The Clatterin Brig'. Turn right northwards to Banchory on Royal Deeside, to the east you have Crathes Castle (NTS) gardens and woodland*. Head west along Deeside and you pass Ballater, followed by the summer home to the Royal family at Balmoral Castle* and Breamar.

If you turn left at 'The Clatterin Brig'; southbound you'll pass Fasque House*, home of the Gladstone family, whose most famous member was Sir William Gladstone, a 19th Century Prime minister. In the village of Fettercairn with its attractive square and magnificent arch, is one of the oldest distilleries* (free entry).

On the coast at Stonehaven (12 miles away), beside the harbour you'll find the Tolbooth Museum*. During the summer the outdoor heated swimming pool is open where you can have a misdnight swim! Futher south on the coast is Dunnottar Castle*.

A few miles on in the village of Catterline is the Creel Inn, famous for its fresh sea food. In the town of Inverbervie, where the designer of the Cutty Sark lived, you will find the 'Bevie Chipper' - UK's No.1 fish and chip shop.

Approximately two miles west on the B967 you have The Grassic Gibbon Centre*, dedicated to the great Scottish author Lewis Grassic Gibbon. On the coast again at St Cyrus you have a nature reserve. Further south at Montrose, yet another nature reserve, and the Montrose Basin Wild Life Centre. Inland towards Brechin you have House of Dun (NST) and in the town, a steam railway running at weekends.

* Seasonal opening times.

NTS - National Trust for Scotland