An artificially-formed loch created within the policies of Aboyne Castle on Royal Deeside, the Loch of Aboyne lies 1¼ miles (2 km) northeast of Aboyne and 26 miles (42 km) west southwest of Aberdeen. Retained by an earthen dam constructed c.1834, this shallow loch also served as a reservoir for a nearby mill. During the winter months the loch has proven popular for curling and in more recent years has provided a home for the Aberdeen Water Ski Club, who were responsible for repairing the dam in the late 1980s. The loch supports other water-sports and provides a popular recreational fishery.
The southeastern part of the loch was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1984, owing to its biological interest. It provides a valuable habitat for waterfowl and other birds, with Osprey regularly seen plucking fish from the water. It is also an important site for butterflies.
Aboyne Loch Caravan Park lies on a wooded peninsula which extends into the loch, while Aboyne Golf Club lies immediately to the southwest. The Lodge on the Loch health spa and Aboyne Loch Golf Centre, with its nine-hole course, is located on the north shore of the loch.