Bothies & Bannocks

20/09/2024

Calling all outdoor adventurers, guides and operators.

Come and see us at over the weekend to discuss how we can assist you or your clients with some epic adventures.

We offer transport and support solutions so you can focus on the fun part.

Or just grab the family and come to Ballater for Aberdeenshire's biggest and best family-friendly bike festival!

05/09/2024

What a day exploring upper Deeside with this lovely couple from California 🇺🇸

28/07/2024

Well, it's been a tough week here at HQ, I seem to have come down with some kind of flu!

Was flat out until Tuesday night, then been bedded since 🤒

It's been hectic rescheduling things to make sure our clients didn't miss out. But thanks to good friends and colleagues, services were unaffected!

Big thanks to -

The B&B team, especially Hayley & Isabelle👌
Stuart @ Chef for Hire Aberdeenshire
Mike @ Macdui Bike Adventures
Paul @ Taxi Muir Private Hire Ballater
Stevie @ Dees Taxi Service
Elizabeth @
Desiree
Jim @

And of course, my super wife and poppy the dug for looking after me and putting up with my whinging 😂

I have heard of tour operators letting clients down under these circumstances.

Bothies & Bannocks will always do everything in our power to deliver 👌💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

10/07/2024

June and July have been crazy busy again!

Welcoming guests from all over the world.

Some big multi-day trips, local runs, adventure shuttles and assisting local groups with adventures and outings

Our first aid is all up to date and we're ready to take on the rest of the summer season.

Had a bit of a disaster with Trip Advisor - they seem to have lost our page - but I'm working on getting that back up and running 🙄😫

Oh and the weather's nae been the best 🌧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Apart from them 2 wee issues we are smashing it ! 💪

Get in touch to plan your Scottish Adventure for later In the year ! 😀

15/06/2024

So today I had a wee nostalgic trip to my old stomping ground.

After dropping off some fine local loons at Glasgow Airport I took a drive by some of my old east end flats.

As a teenager growing up in the Aberdeenshire countryside I took the leap to try out city life.

Not only did I head down with a couple of my best mates but there was already a wee squad of Deeside loons down there.

That, combined with the sense of community that the east end of Glasgow offers, led to a good few years of pure dead happiness!

It was great to see that not only is Celino's still going, its thriving!

When I walked in with a big smile on my face the lass on the till welcomed me like a local. When I explained I lived round the corner 15 years ago and I wanted a sandwich, she pointed above to the menu.

The choice was simple a Celino Special - exactly as it was all those years ago, and even the "sun blushed or sun dried tomatoes" & "would you like it toasted" took me right back.

I then sat in the Bothy Bus right opposite my old door at 83, Meadow Park Street and ate my peice and reflecting on good times!

This led to a slightly emotional drive home 😑

It's true what they say - "The People Make Glasgow" ❤️

05/06/2024

What a month May was, Party - Graft, Graft, Graft -Party !!!

We started with our annual trip to with friends, then back to back guiding, driving and hosting for the rest of the month.

Myself and the team have been all over the country exploring some incredible locations with awesome people.

We then saw the month out with another social trip, this time to Amsterdam for my brothers 40th celebrations with some old friends.

Overworked and over partied, but we are looking forward to another busy month.

Thanks to all local businesses that send guests our way and help promote our business, you know who you are 👌❤️

Also, thanks to all our incredible guests for making our job so much fun!

And of course, our incredible team of helpers -
Natalie, Mike, Matt, Anna, Hayley, Kayleigh, Isabelle, and Jim ❤️❤️❤️

28/05/2024

Isabelle, Jim and Marloe, the dug, producing the goods on last week's Great Glen paddle expedition!

A tough week with winds changing directions but clients and team adapted to suit, well done to all!

Check out our paddle sports page @ for details of upcoming adventures 👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

26/05/2024

Huge excitement at demo weekend as I am finally away with a new steed !

It's only taken 2 years of tyre kicking and test riding 😂 (and loads of chatting 😅)

A cracking deal from our pals at - who, as always, continue to support our business 👏

Looking forward to joining our clients on the next MTB adventure 👍

But even more so, looking forward to getting back up the hills with pals ❤️

04/05/2024

Looking forward to being involved in Cyclehighlands, demo weekend.

Ballater 25th & 26th of May.

Shuttles will be available for demo bikes and we have some trail builders to move around for the Aberdeenshire Trail Association

Check it out and get signed up to try out some of the best bikes on the market !

Our annual Spring Demo weekend supported by returns 25th and 26th May…can’t wait to have all our brands back up with great bikes , a BBQ and much more . Email or phone to book a demo bike or find out more !

03/05/2024

Back in my happy place for a few days as the bosses are off to sunny Lisbon for one of their Stag Do's. 🙃

But we have our own (long overdue!) sunshine here on Deeside, so come and see me at The Strong Water Co. - Banchory 🌞

Fridge is stocked with some cold tinnies & bubbles, shelfs are full of summery wines, some exciting new whiskies in stock and the boy behind the counter is full of great chat 😉

It's maybe even a day for a The Port of Leith White Port & Walter Gregor's Tonic Water down by the river ❤️🌞🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

03/05/2024

Check out some of the awesome SUP expeditions we are offering through our partners at Sup2summit - some even include full support from us!

SUP Expeditions 2024!

Our Sup Expeditions are just one week away from starting! However we still have some places left, grab your chance to explore Scotland this summer!

Loch Shiel Expedition - into the wilds of the west coast from the foot of the famous Glenfinnan viaduct. This trip really has it all. We also have a special guest - Brendon Prince-Long Paddle SUP joining us for one trip in August. Limited spaces available.

https://widget.eola.co/690/activities/loch-shiel-4-day-sup-adventure

https://widget.eola.co/690/activities/loch-shiel-brendon-prince

Great Glen Sup Trail - paddle across Scotland between Fort William and Inverness. This trip is supported by Bothies & Bannocks providing a SUPport bus to follow us along the way and transfer our kit as well as cook awesome home cooked food each evening. This is the perfect start for someone looking to start their sup touring journey. Spaces available for August.

https://widget.eola.co/690/activities/great-glen-sup-trail

Knoydart Expedition - join us into one of the most remote places in the UK. This is a truly amazing place to explore from seals to sea otters and porpoises to eagles . Only 3 spaces left.

https://widget.eola.co/690/activities/paddleboarding-konydart-sup-expedition

West Coast Sup Odyssey - our most northerly sup expedition. Starting in Loch Maree this trip is an exploration of the wild north west coast and inland waters. 1 space available.

https://widget.eola.co/690/activities/west-coast-sup-odyssey

River Spey Descent - Join us and EM Paddlesports: Coaching & Guiding for a four day white water adventure down the River Spey! Spaces available

https://widget.eola.co/690/activities/river-spey-4-day-expedition

Great Glen unsupported expedition - five days of paddle boarding across the width of Scotland. Setting off from under the foot of Ben Nevis. This is five days not to be missed. Spaces available.

https://widget.eola.co/690/activities/great-glen-sup-trail-unsupported

28/04/2024

Our guide Mike & driver Jane have had a busy day in the rain with a lovely group of Norwegians.

Kjetil got in touch to say he and his crew had been planning a pilgrimage to Cragganmore for some years, as this is his favourite dram!

We linked this up with a visit to a special Stone Circle. Followed by a very informative private tour of Fyvie Castle, Garden & Estate NTS

They then got a sneaky visit to a very special remote Inn - can you name it from the picture? Looks like Jane found the bar easily! 😉🤣

Lunch was provided by the super friendly and knowledgeable staff at Highlander Inn - Craigellachie - our favourite Speyside lunch stop!

Thanks Kjetil and crew for booking with Bothies & Bannocks and thanks to Jane and Mike for doing such a fine job as always ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

27/04/2024

Delighted to be supporting such an epic MTB trip with Endless Trails MTB

Guide and clients had a blast crossing the Cairngorms yesterday ❤️

Our pals at Cyclehighlands dropping everything yesterday afternoon for some emergency repairs!

A night at the The Boat Inn, Aboyne and a days riding the Aboyne trails today.

Homemade soup and fresh coffee will be welcomed at today's lunch stop! 😋

25/04/2024

Pretending to get along with our competitor for the film crew. 🤜

We were on his turf, so all Bothies & Bannocks branding hidden 🙄

If you're really stuck over the dark side or can't get us to do your job, then give Highland Yaks - Activity Transport a shout 😉

On a serious note - big respect to Kelty, he openly let me copy his business idea and now puts up with my cheek! ❤️🤣

Good to catch up and discuss the hardship of running a seasonal business among rising costs.

It often feels like a councilling session!

Here's to another season working with our buddy fae oer the hill 💪🥃 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

18/04/2024

Some lovely feedback for our guide Mike from Tuesdays tour with a couple of local ladies.

As Betty says, you don't need to be a tourist to enjoy our tours ❤️

16/04/2024

3 spaces left on our final group Market Day Cookery Class of the season.

*Saturday 20th April *
*09.00-17.00*
*Aberdeen City*
*£115 per person*

● Trip to the farmers market to buy ingredients
● Wee stop at the wine shop
● Afternoon of food, drink and fun in the kitchen

Get in touch to book !

Banchory Farmers Market
The Strong Water Co.
Chef for Hire Aberdeenshire
CFINE