THE dreary slog of the motorway can be enough to dampen the enthusiasm of even the most excitable holidaymaker, but unfortunately it’s where most trips must begin. The difference with a journey into Deeside, however, is that it will only be a matter of time before the mind-numbing boredom is lifted by winding, dipping, roads that wriggle through spectacular scenery and catapult you away from the monotony.

Our journey to the picturesque town of Aboyne began with a snaking climb up the old military road, from Angus farmland to the gateway of the Cairngorm National Park. While yours truly revelled in the thrills of a liberating driving experience, there were some sufferers – notably a carsick other half in the passenger seat and a struggling one-litre Vauxhall Corsa engine that was wondering what had hit it.

After climbing through fields and up to barren hilltops with views stretching as far as the coast on one side and into ancient pine forests on the other, we arrived in peaceful Aboyne to a warm welcome from Ron and Sheila Shanks. The couple’s newly-opened holiday home, The Invergarry, is a converted cottage with a well-earned, five-star self-catering rating from VisitScotland.

Our visit coincided with an unlikely heatwave, allowing us to make the most of the living room’s foldaway glass wall panels that fill the cottage with light and air. After a long journey in the car, there was only one thing for it – the outdoor hot tub and complimentary Prosecco in the fridge were an irresistible combination.

Setting out from the comfort of The Invergarry, the pretty, leafy town of Aboyne had everything we needed, beginning with an excellent Friday night meal at the bustling, characterful Boat Inn. The food was excellent, as was the wine, although it was necessary to double check how much of the latter had been ordered after seeing Thomas The Tank Engine circling around the room at ceiling level. Thankfully, the vision was a real-life train set and not a hallucination.

The quintessentially Highland shop Strachan’s was an unexpected highlight. We ventured in on a successful search for sunglasses, but could have come out with anything from DIY equipment and deli meats to toothpaste and beach balls. On the day we visited, there was a Warhammer sale being promoted in the window. "Something for everyone" appears to be the proprietor’s mantra.

Arguably the best thing about using Aboyne as a base is its location for those with an appetite for exploring. Less than an hour from Aberdeen and not much more to Dundee but with the feeling of a rural retreat, the town is within touching distance of a vast range of activities and attractions that showcase the best Scotland has to offer.

On our first full day and with the sun cranking thermometers up to unheralded heights of 25 degrees, we opted against venturing onto the exposed summits of the nearby Munros and Corbetts, instead heading for the woodland shade of Glen Tanar. A two-hour walk led us to a viewpoint overlooking one of Scotland’s largest pine forests, before dropping into the woods and following the river in a wide loop.

The glen, which lies just four miles outside of Aboyne, has much to offer with several walking routes as well as mountain biking, fishing, horse riding, deer stalking, grouse shooting and wildlife photography on the estate.

Morning exercise achieved, we headed west for the Cairngorms and another test for the overworked Corsa. The road kept rising higher and higher, away from the greenery of Deeside and up into the wild, barren hillsides. The panoramic views surrounding the steep, winding roads mean this journey takes longer than you expect, given the multitude of photo opportunities. Only 45 minutes after leaving a peaceful woodland glade we now found ourselves 2,090 feet above sea level, underneath a chairlift at the Lecht ski station as the mountain road reached its highest point.

After dropping down the other side of the range, you emerge into a Mecca for whisky lovers – Speyside. Just beyond Tomintoul, said to be the highest village in the Highlands, Glenlivet distillery stands out in splendid isolation among the fields and hills that surround it. An informative, good-value tour shows visitors the process of whisky distilling before the headline event of a tasting session that includes a cask strength dram straight out of a warehouse barrel.

After a trip back over the mountains to our refuge in Aboyne, we settled in for the evening to enjoy the comforts of The Invergarry. A fully-equipped, well laid-out kitchen leads onto a patio area that is ideally situated for catching the sun. This is no coincidence; the attention to detail that Ron and Sheila have put into making the accommodation comfortable, homely and suitable for all seasons is commendable. Be it the electric sun shades, the aforementioned foldaway living room wall or the wet room connecting the bedroom to the hot tub for ease of access, it provides a pleasant, comfortable and private getaway from the bustle of city life.

The next day, we headed for one of the region’s most famous landmarks – Balmoral Castle. Half an hour to the west of Aboyne, the royal family’s Scottish residence opens its doors to the public between April and July, and provides an interesting audio guide accompaniment as you wander through the outhouses, gardens and ballroom that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert used to call home.

Balmoral is just one of many castles scattered throughout the area – you need drive only a few minutes further down the road before encountering Braemar Castle. The village, famous for its Highland gathering that is popular with the royals, is another picturesque spot and was the final destination of our Deeside break.

Our trip wouldn’t be completely over before another mountainous rally took place, as we wound down the mountain road towards Perth, past another ski station at Glenshee. The views were astonishing in the bright summer sunshine and as we descended towards the fertile pastureland of Perthshire with the delights of Deeside behind us, we braced ourselves for a return to motorway malaise.

Alasdair Mackenzie was a guest of The Invergarry in Aboyne. Visit the website for information and bookings at www.invergarry.scot

Five events not to miss in Deeside

Aboyne and Deeside Festival

July 23-August 20

Running throughout the summer, this annual arts festival features music, drama, literature and workshops. A highlight of this year’s programme is an evening with legendary traditional musicians Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham.

Ballater Victoria Week

August 4-13

This 10-day celebration offers something for everyone, from Muay Thai, book fairs and small pet shows to quizzes, ghost tours and duck races. You can join in the fun yourself by entering the vehicle parade, soapbox derby or scarecrow competition.

Braemar Gathering

September 2

Arguably the most famous Highland games in the country, the Braemar Gathering offers up heavy events (caber tossing included), pipe bands, tug o’war, dancing and races. Also worth a visit is the Aboyne Highland Games on August 5, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

Etape Royale

September 10

Billing itself as "the first and only 100-mile closed road cycle sportive in Scotland", this is a must for cycling fans who like zooming through spectacular Highland scenery without any pesky traffic to worry about.

North East Open Studios

September 9-17

Now in its 14th year, NEOS is an award-winning collection of artists and designers in who open their studios to the public every September. It’s a large event, with 269 artists involved across a vast area.