Royal Deeside Railway
Volunteer-run heritage railway at Milton of Crathes near Banchory, with steam and diesel trains on a short stretch of the old Deeside line.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The original Deeside Railway was built between 1853 and 1866 to link Aberdeen with Ballater and was used regularly by the royal family on the way to Balmoral Castle. It was closed in stages in 1966 and 1967. In 1996 the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society was formed to bring a short section of the line at Milton of Crathes, east of Banchory, back to life.
Restoration work began in 2003, and a first mile of track opened in 2007. The first steam-hauled passenger service followed in 2010. The railway is run by volunteers, who have also moved a Victorian station building from the closed Oldmeldrum line to Milton of Crathes, where it is now used as the society's base.
The railway has preserved steam and diesel locomotives, among them the 1897 steam engine Bon-Accord and Class 03 diesel shunters, together with restored carriages. Trains run on about one mile of track from Milton of Crathes, and the return journey takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Special events such as cream tea trains, steam driver experiences and Santa Specials are held in addition to the ordinary running days.
Highlights
- Steam locomotive Bon-Accord, built in 1897
- Class 03 diesel shunters
- Victorian station building moved from Oldmeldrum
- Santa Specials and cream tea trains
- Steam Driver Experience
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £6Concessions (aged 65 and over) |
| Children & teens | £4free up to age 2 · Child fare for ages 3 to 15; children under 3 travel free. |
| Seniors | £6Aged 65 and over. |
| Groups (12+ people) | –A 10% group discount applies for 12 or more people, but not on cream tea, Santa Special or other event days. |
| Families | £20Two adults and up to three children. |
Standard fares are return day rover tickets (adult 16 to 64). No booking is needed except for cream tea services and Santa Specials, which have their own fares and must be booked online. Dogs travel free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The public areas are accessible to wheelchair users and staff will help to push wheelchairs up slopes. The railway normally runs rolling stock that allows passengers to travel in a wheelchair, although the relevant carriage may occasionally be out of service.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £20 · Two adults and up to three children. |
- Family tours & workshops
Santa Specials run on selected weekends in December. Each train takes up to 25 children, who receive a present from Santa in a grotto by the station; the whole experience lasts about 30 to 45 minutes and must be booked online.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Crathes Castle
Stagecoach bus routes 201, 202 and 203 run from Aberdeen bus station to Crathes Castle.
By car
Free parking
Free parking is available in the railway car park and in an overflow field; visitors are asked to avoid the car parks of neighbouring businesses.
The railway is at the Milton of Crathes Art and Craft village on the A93 Aberdeen to Banchory road, about 3 miles east of Banchory. The satnav postcode is AB31 5QH.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The station shop sells ice creams. The Milton of Crathes complex also has a restaurant, craft shops and an art gallery run by separate businesses.
Events & venue rental
Charter trains can be arranged; details are on the website.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A Steam Driver Experience can be booked. On cream tea days part of the train remains available to ordinary passengers who have not booked. |
|---|
