Discover distilleries, castles and more
There's so much to do in and around Insch during your stay at The Station Hotel.
Local Distilleries
The Station Hotel Insch is ideally situated to explore Speyside’s single malt distilleries of Benromach, Cardhu, Dallas Dhu, Glen Grant, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, Speyside Cooperage and Strathisla, all of which are open to the public to visit.
Speyside is often called 'Malt Whisky Country' as it is home to more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries.
If you are planning to take to Scotland's whisky trail, The Station Hotel in Insch offers the perfect place to stay during your visit.
See more on our News page where we will regularly publish updates from these distilleries.
RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS & ROOM BOOKINGS: CALL
07919 255557.
Local Castles
The Station Hotel, Insch, is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for a relaxing short break to explore some of Scotland's most stunning castles including the world-famous Balmoral Castle which is situated in the nearby Cairngorms National Park.
Castles open to the public near Insch include Craigievar, Tolquhon, Castle Fraser, Fyvie and Huntly.
All offer a glimpse into Scottish history and architecture. Craigievar is a fairytale-like tower house, Tolquhon is known for its ornate gatehouse, and Castle Fraser features secret staircases and a Great Hall, providing unique experiences for visitors.
RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS & ROOM BOOKINGS: CALL 07919 255557.
Hiking and Cycling
Insch provides a range of walking and hiking opportunities with popular walking trails to enjoy. The best known of these is the Hill of Dunnideer Circular. Note: Dunnideer is also spelt with a ‘y’ locally eg: Dunnydeer.
The Dunnideer Hill trail offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the remains of a hill fort at its summit and for those who are less athletic, offers an easy option avoiding any steep ascents although there is also a shorter route but a steep initial climb as well.
Although the Hill of Dunnideer is not high, it is a local landmark with its distinctive ruined castle on top.
On the slopes of the hill, the walk route takes a short detour to the impressive remains of Dunnideer Stone Circle, partly hidden in trees which dates back to the Bronze Age.
Other local trails include: The Bennachie, Oxen Craig, and Watch Craig Circular, the Hill of Corskie Circular, the Hill of Tlliymorgan, The Old Aberdeen Turnpike, The Hill of Foundland, The Insch Hills of Christ’s Kirk and Flinder and the Brindy Hill.
And there are also plenty of cycling opportunities too. Three circular routes, waymarked with coloured arrows, provide leisurely opportunities to explore the rolling countryside between Insch and the Hill of Foudland, with sweeping views over the Pictish province of The Garioch to Bennachie.
For those seeking challenging offroad cycling, the Forest Enterprise Cycle Trails at Gartly Moor Forest can been reached from Insch via the 'Gartly Moor Link' waymarked in white.
The Station Hotel a stone’s throw from Insch station on the Aberdeen to Inverness line is the perfect place to relax after a day’s walking and cylcing. Bike reservations on the train are free and can be made with Scotrail whilst the hotel has some bike storage availability. Please check for details.
RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS & ROOM BOOKINGS: CALL 07919 255557.
Are you a train enthusiast?
If you're a train buff or a gricer even, you will be well served staying in Insch. The main Aberdeen to Inverness line is situated straight across the road from The Station Hotel as is the level crossing since the line crosses the road nearby.
Ask for the hotel's Signal Box Room or the Flying Scotsman Room if you want a really good view.
Take a trip to nearby Inverurie or Huntly or travel further north to visit Keith, Elgin, Forres or Inverness. The choice is yours!
The Grampian Transport Museum
Less than 11 miles / 20 minutes from The Station Hotel Insch, you will find the Grampian Transport Museum in the pretty village of
Alford, south-west of Insch.
After a short drive through beautiful countryside, particularly colourful in autumn, you can view various transport exhibits in the museum including not only cars and buses, but also steam waggons, snowploughs and even historical chariots.
At least one-third of the vehicles on display will be changed over every season, so there's always a reason to visit and re-visit the Grampian Transport Museum.
It is a seasonal attraction, generally open from late March to late October, closing in 2025 on October 26th, after some spooky Hallowe'en fun.
The Grampian Railway
The Grampian Railway, also in Alford, was originally constructed to serve the granite quarries at Kemnay and Tillyfourie and for agricultural output, with some of the hardest granite needing a special cutting to be built.
It is now being restored by the Alford Valley Community Railway Ltd., a registered charity and opens in early April each year. Six trains run every Saturday and Sunday with room for 35 passengers. Run by volunteers, as most of these preservation railways are, special events are held such as Hallowe'en trains and the Santa Express.
The Station Hotel Insch is the place to be for railways fans!
RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS & ROOM BOOKINGS: CALL 07919 255557.
Other activities
Insch and the surrounding area provides plenty to discover as well as golfing, fishing, walking and cycling opportunities (click the link to visit Aberdeenshire Council's relevant page).
The 18-hole course at Insch promises golfers a pleasant day's golfing at the foot of the Dunnideer Hills (advance booking required), whilst Loch Insch Fishery offers a great day's trout fishing across three main lochs.
A visit to the Dunnideer Hillfort overlooking the village offers spectacular views across the Aberdeenshire countryside, whilst The Insch Connection Museum situated within Insch's working railway station features photographs, archive material, a scale model of the station, and a searchable computer database charting the history of Insch.
Other local attractions include the Picardy Symbol Stone, a Class I Pictish symbol stone standing on its original site on a low cairn that once covered a burial site.
Read more on our Local Sights page.
RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS & ROOM BOOKINGS: CALL 07919 255557.