Lower Dess Estate

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Aberdeenshire has a wealth of historical castles and breathtaking views to devour.  With access to a range of sports & activities from shooting, fishing and golf to mountain biking and climbing – you’ll never be short of something active to do. Or simply relax, explore the striking landscapes at your leisure and indulge in some spectacular local cuisine.

Fishing
(Salmon & Sea Trout)

The fishing at Lower Dess is on an exceptionally attractive, secluded left bank stretch of the internationally renowned River Dee. The upper and lower beats can be fished at low, medium and high water. Whilst the Dee’s reputation has traditionally been for prime spring fishing, more recently the summer fishing has been equally productive. The Dess fishings also benefit from a very good sea trout run in late June and July. 
 
Fishers have use of the Rod Room and two fishing huts on the estate. The award-winning Upper Hut at Dess provides a feature fireplace, an outside terrace, bbq area, kitchen and cloakroom. Lower Dess employs a full-time Ghillie who is on hand to assist and advise throughout your stay.
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06 Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing

Golf

The Lodge provides the perfect base for golfers of all abilities to enjoy some of the excellent courses located in Aberdeenshire: Royal Aberdeen Golf Club,  Cruden Bay Golf Club, Trump International Golf Links and Murcar Links Golf Club, to name but a few.
 
Nearer to the Lodge: Aboyne Golf Club, Ballater Golf Club, Braemar Golf Club, amongst many others.
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Shooting

Driven game shooting and deer stalking can be arranged less than 30 miles away from Mill of Dess Lodge. 

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Stay Active

Walking & Cycling – There are plenty of excellent walking and cycling routes to explore on Royal Deeside. For the more adventurous the Cairngorms National Park is just a short drive away.
 
Riding – Only eight miles away from the Lodge you will find the Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre which offers quality horse riding for all abilities.
 
Just a mile from Lower Dess Estate is the award winning Deeside Activity Park. The park offers Clay & Target Shooting, Quad Biking, Archery and Kart Racing.
 
Skiing & Snowboarding – Glenshee Ski Centre and The Lecht Ski Centre are both less than an hour’s drive from the Lodge. 

Relax

Relax and rejuvenate! The Lodge is the perfect place for organising your own Spa Day. Mobile beauty & spa therapists can be booked locally by guests and the Lodge also has space for guests to hire two outdoor luxury hot tubs, for a totally indulgent weekend.
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Local Area

Lower Dess Estate has a huge range of wildlife from roe deer, otters and red squirrels to a bird list of 76 species. From springtime onwards you can enjoy the fantastic displays of wild flowers that grow abundantly on Deeside.

There are several famous Aberdeenshire distilleries to visit within an hour’s drive of the Lodge. Further afield, the world-renowned Speyside region offers distillery tours and whisky tastings.

Craigievar Castle, pictured, is just a 20 minute drive from the Lodge. There are many historic castles to visit throughout Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside, notably: