The Burnett Family holds a "Burnett Gathering" in Scotland from time to time.  Our last Gathering was held in 2023 in honour of the 700 year anniversary of the Burnett of Leys on Royal Deeside.  Details of future Gatherings will be available here.​​

​​

2026 Burnett Gathering​

Wednesday, July 29 through Saturday, August 1st, 2026

Royal Deeside, Scotland

​

Dear Burnetts, House of Burnett members, and supporters!

​

Below, you will find the most up-to-date information from the Chief regarding the 2026 Burnett Gathering.  This gathering will be shorter and less complicated than those in the past,  

​

Please remember that the House of Burnett is not planning the gathering, but is supporting the Chief and his team putting this together.

​

In order to help the Chief and his team plan for the event, they need to get an idea of how many people are interested in coming this summer.

​

To do that, we need your help!  If you are interested in coming, already planning on coming, or could be convinced to attend, please send an email to:

 

Ally Reid
Creator of Tailored Experiences for the Leys Estate

Contact: burnettcurator@outlook.com 

​

​

Here are the planning documents to help you plan your trip: 

​

The Burnett Gathering Invitation

​

The Burnett Gathering 2026:

Returning Home to the Land of Leys Brochure

​

Curated Experiences at Crathes

​

Half-Day Fly Fishing Experience

 

We're pleased to share details of a half-day Atlantic salmon fly fishing experience on the River Dee, taking place on Wednesday 29 July. This hosted experience, on the Crathes Castle beat, is suitable for both novice and experienced anglers and offers a relaxed, enjoyable introduction to salmon fishing in a beautiful setting.

 

Please find the brochure attached with further details HERE (Fly Fishing Brochure).

 

Half-Day Fly Fishing Experience

Wednesday 29 July | 9:00am – 1:00pm

£300 per person

 

The experience includes:

• Professional Spey fly casting tuition and ongoing support throughout the session with your own guide/ghillie

• Guided fishing on a private beat on the River Dee

• Premium fishing tackle provided (rod, reel, line, flies)

• Waders supplied

 

The morning session is limited to 4 rods, ensuring a comfortable and well-supported experience. A similar 4-rod session will run in the afternoon, with lunch taking place between sessions (see brochure for timings).

 

Optional Lunch

Lunch is not included in the package price but can be provided for £25 per person.

Guests who are not fishing but would like to join for lunch are very welcome to do so. Dietary requirements can be catered for.

 

Alternatively, lunch can be enjoyed at the Milton of Crathes Brasserie, located across the courtyard from the TwinPeakes shop.

 

Alternative Dates

If Wednesday 29 July is not suitable, I may be able to arrange an alternative date, subject to availability. Please let me know what dates might suit you best and we can explore options.

 

Booking Details

To book, please email TwinPeakes Fly Fishing at info@twinpeakesflyfishing.com and quote the reference:

“Ally Reid – Burnett Curator”

 

If you have any questions or would like help coordinating attendance, please feel free to get in touch.

 

Accommodations For the Burnett Gathering

 

I know a number of you have asked for assistance with accommodation, so I have compiled a comprehensive list of options, which I hope you will find helpful.  

 

Because July/August are peak seasons (with weddings, Highland Games, and summer visitors), accommodation in and around Banchory tends to book up quickly, so we’d strongly recommend reserving somewhere sooner rather than later.

 

Recommended accommodation options (Banchory and nearby)

 

1) Banchory Lodge Hotel (Banchory)

Limited availability across the main Gathering dates:
 

Unfortunately, they don’t have rooms available on 29 and 30 July due to a wedding.
However, they currently have availability on:

• 31 July (11 rooms)

• 1 August (8 rooms)

• 2 & 3 August (25 rooms each day)

 

If you’d like to stay there, you could consider splitting your stay (e.g., Banchory Lodge for 31 July onwards, and another hotel / Airbnb for 29–30 July). Ref "Ally Reid Burnett Curator" when booking. Link: https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/banchory-lodge.en-gb.html

 

2) Burnett Arms Hotel (Banchory)

A very central option in town.

Link: https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-burnett-arms.en-gb.html

 

3) Ravenswood Social Club (British Legion) (Banchory)

Another option in town (limited rooms, so worth checking early).

Link: https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/ravenswood-british-legion.en-gb.html

 

4) If you’re travelling as a larger family group, self-catering can work especially well — in particular Kashentrough on the Crathes Estate which sleeps up to 11 people.  https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p10768860

​

5) Airbnb options (Banchory + nearby villages)

Banchory Airbnb search page: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/banchory-united-kingdom/stays

​

Nearby areas can also be worth checking (often good availability within Banchory or a short drive):
 

Crathes Airbnb search page: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/crathes-united-kingdom/stays

 

6) Self-catering / apartments / cottages (great for families or small groups)

Booking.com self-catering options in Banchory: https://www.booking.com/self-catering/city/gb/banchory-aberdeenshire.en-gb.html

​

Booking.com holiday homes in Banchory:  https://www.booking.com/holiday-homes/city/gb/banchory-aberdeenshire.en-gb.html

​

I do hope you find this list helpful and if there is anything else I can help you with then please just get in touch.

​

Kind Regards,
 
Ally Reid
Curator of Tailored Experiences for the Leys Estate

Contact: burnettcurator@outlook.com 

​

​

​

Visitors Not Associated with a Gathering

​

Although it is unlikely that there will be future Burnett Gatherings on the scale of that of 2023, it remains that we will always encourage and welcome Burnetts at Crathes and assist as we can with advising and organising their visits to help to make them as enjoyable and as memorable as possible . Whether individual or a large group , we will endeavour to compile a programme to suit the wishes of the visitors. If forecast numbers at any one time justify it and with their agreement, it may be possible to attract more to make a ‘Gathering’ with an appropriate programme. Where possible, a Burnett family member will be pleased to meet all visitors.

 

We can put together packages of activities and events which may include those experienced in 2023 and more. We cannot generally be responsible for transport and accommodation, but we can advise on both.

 

Group travel and accommodation arrangements may enable many groups, small or large,  to decide to come to Crathes. Individuals, group leaders or travel agents can make initial contact with Vikki Duncan, who is our coordinator for visitors coming to the Banchory Area, through info@leysestate.co.uk or Ally  Reid at burnettcurator@outlook.com 

​

Burnetts visiting Crathes or the Banchory area outside of Aberdeen are welcome at any time, and if possible, we would be pleased to meet them and assist in making their visit more memorable. If you plan to come to Crathes, please advise of details of your visit and any relevant information to info@leysestate.co.uk, and we will try to make your visit as memorable as possible.

​​​

Chief's Recommendation: Whilst all must make their own plans for travel and accommodation during their stay, there is usually a short programme of activities during the week ending on the first Saturday in August each year, which is the main day of the Aboyne Highland Games.  

​​​

For general details, and to start planning your trip, please see the Burnett UK VISITORS GUIDE

​​​​​​

For all enquiries and details regarding travel plans to Crathes, please correspond via email  

 

Ally Reid
Curator of Tailored Experiences for the Leys Estate

Contact: burnettcurator@outlook.com

​​​​​