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The Restaurant Guide for Wine Lovers

The Boat Inn

53/100
  • Aboyne, Aberdeenshire
  • Gastropub
  • By the glass
  • ££
  • Beta
  • Assessed July 2026
What's this?

These are confidence labels. They show how sure we are that what we publish still reflects the restaurant's current practice. They are not a judgement on the restaurant; the wine and cooking are scored separately, out of 100.

  • Beta means assessed and scored, but we are still confirming some details (such as the current wine list) and the restaurant has not yet had the chance to correct any factual inaccuracy, so it is published with that caveat.
  • No label means a fully confirmed entry.
  • In development means not yet a review. It appears so you can see where coverage is coming.

Restaurants often change their menus. The date beside the label says when we last reviewed.

We assessed The Boat Inn in July 2026 and this review is based on the food menu and wine list at the time of the review. As menus and wine lists change, we name styles in order for the information to remain more useful as menus change. If things have slipped you can use the Vinealto Dining app including accessing an up to date reading using 'At the Table' from the wine list in front of you in the restaurant. How we assess

The Boat Inn is a busy all-day gastropub in an eighteenth-century coaching inn on the River Dee at Aboyne, built around brunch, burgers, fried fish and curries. Its short, commercial wine list will not elevate a meal, but it is fairly priced, clearly presented and offers a sensible by-the-glass choice that covers the food honestly. It will suit families and casual diners who want a good, uncomplicated glass with their plate rather than a list to explore.

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More in Aberdeenshire

83/100 Beta

The Clunie Dining Room, The Fife Arms

Braemar, Aberdeenshire

Scottish country-house hotel dining

The Clunie is the open fire dining room of the Fife Arms hotel on Royal Deeside, cooking Highland fish, game and lamb. Its wine list is vast and serious, with 39 wines by the glass, mature bottles from the classic regions and a dessert card that sets a glass beside every pudding. It will suit the wine lover with a generous budget who wants to drink something rare, or simply to be poured something good at every course.

  • By the glass
  • Very high
  • Assessed October 2026
Read the assessment

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