Established in 1978, we are a family owned and run business located in the town centre of Banchory, Scotland, specialising in country, lifestyle and equestrian wear. 

History

It’s a little-known fact that Country Ways actually started as a pharmacy! The precursor to the business was originally part of Charles Michie’s Pharmacy on Powis Terrace, Kitty Brewster. It not only benefited from being close to three doctors’ surgeries but had its busiest day on a Friday, when the nearby Aberdeen cattle market was open.  The canny farmers would make the most of their day in the big city buying and selling their beasts but also stocking up on essentials.  An opportunity to purchase the shop next door presented itself to John and Charles Michie, joint owners and brothers of the business, who jumped at the chance. Charles Michie Farm Sales was opened soon after to service the needs of the farmers and their animals.

At the same time, the Northeast of Scotland was starting to see the economic benefits of the oil and gas industry, which brought with it the interest and means for people to take up horse riding and horse ownership. There was a meteoric change with the explosion of people enjoying everything the equestrian world had to offer, in turn their customers requesting “horsey stuff”. There was nowhere in Aberdeen or the shire that people could go to purchase not just the items the horses needed but also the riders.  So The Aberdeen Tack Room was born.

In the late seventy’s the mart moved to its current home at Thainstone, Fridays were no longer so busy, but the equestrian department continued to go from strength to strength.  The Michie brothers took the decision to close The Aberdeen Tack Room and launch their new store, Country Ways, on the corner of Great Western Road and Holburn Street.