Torphins

Torphins is an attractive village in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire located 22 miles west of Aberdeen and 7 miles north-west of Banchory on the A980. Set within the stunning Aberdeenshire countryside, Torphins is an idyllic village that still provides an excellent base for commuting to Aberdeen, with an average driving time of 40 minutes to the city centre and a regular bus service provided by Stagecoach. Today, the village is home to a population of 1,380 and boasts a good range of local amenities, including a local nursery and primary school.

History of Torphins

Like many towns and villages in Aberdeenshire, Torphins has a rich history that dates back centuries. The site of the village is just 3 miles from where Macbeth was killed in the battle of Lumphanan. The 11th-century king of Scotland, made famous by the William Shakespeare play of the same name, was killed in the 1057 battle before being laid to rest at Saint Oran’s Chapel on the Isle of Iona.

The village first appeared on a map in 1750 as "Turfins", and most sources agree that the name comes from the Gaelic torr fionns meaning "white hills." The area was originally a small settlement until the opening of the Deeside Railway in the mid-19th century, which connected Aberdeen to Ballater, and connected Torphins to the Great North of Scotland Railway in 1876. These transportation links saw Torphins’ population grow; however, the Deeside Railway eventually closed in 1996. Despite the closure, part of the line was revived soon after in the form of the Royal Deeside Railway, a heritage steam and diesel railway with a Victorian station at nearby Milton of Crathes, which is a great day out for families.

Schools in Torphins

The local primary school, Torphins Primary School, has seven classes and a nursery unit providing education for children from ante-preschool nursery through to Primary 7. Torphins School is a non-denominational school with a roll of 22 for Nursery and 162 for Primary at the time of writing.

Torphins Primary School is also part of the Aboyne Schools’ Network. On leaving Torphins Primary School, the pupils transfer to Aboyne Academy. Aboyne Academy is a full six-year comprehensive school that supplies secondary school education for the communities of mid and Upper Deeside. On average 680 pupils attend the school each year.

Aberdeen Council offers free local bus transport to all children who live over two miles walking distance from their primary school, and up to three miles for secondary school pupils.

Things to do in Torphins

Torphins features a wide range of local amenities, as well as a vast range of activities in the local area. The village has a large park with a play area perfect for children, as well as a tennis club, bowling club and a challenging 9-hole golf course.

The local tennis club has two well-maintained floodlit courts and offers several classes; from Summer and Easter school holiday courses, to private lessons for adults of all ages and abilities. Meanwhile, Torphins Bowling club has been part of the local community since 1886 and welcomes players of all abilities to take part in casual games, as well as regular competitions held throughout the year.

Torphins is also home to an excellent golf course which offers some of the most spectacular views of the village and the surrounding area. The 9-hole course is a friendly par 64 but requires accuracy and placement, providing keen players with plenty of challenges. There are also now 13 different tees playing to 10 different greens, offering several ways to play the course and accommodating a range of abilities.

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