The new ‘Discover Royal Deeside’ services will operate up to every 20 minutes, Monday to Saturday between Banchory and Aberdeen via North Deeside Road. The Sunday timetable has also been improved, with services operating hourly for most of the day between Aberdeen, Banchory and Braemar. The modern, branded coaches proudly display the royal seal of approval; Bluebird Buses holds The Queen’s Royal Warrant for bus and coach services.

With support from the Scottish Executive and Aberdeenshire Council, Stagecoach Bluebird are undertaking a three-year initiative on the newly branded ‘Discover Royal Deeside’ service, whereby investment by the partners allows commercial bus services to be improved through public support, with a view to the enhanced services becoming self-sustaining. Under this partnership, £1m has been committed to the initiative, including £200,000 for infrastructure.

Charlie Mullen, Managing Director, Stagecoach Bluebird: "By offering comfortable coach travel every 20 minutes between Aberdeen and Banchory we hope potential passengers will see this enhancement as an attractive travel alternative to using the car. Our partnership with the Scottish Executive and Aberdeenshire Council has allowed us to introduce these service improvements much quicker than we would have been able to do independently. A high profile marketing campaign coincides with the launch of the coach service to encourage commuters, shoppers and tourists alike to get on board and "Discover Royal Deeside" for themselves!"