This area offers the best of Scotland from mountain to the sea. Aberdeen & Grampian offers a rich mix of contrasting landscapes from the huge sparkling granite buildings in Aberdeen City to the spectacular mountains inland in the Cairngorms National Park.

Aberdeen & Grampian is a land of unique heritage and pleasing contrasts offering everything from a vibrant city life to romantic hideaways, to relaxing breaks and a host of outdoor activities.

Escape to the magnificent coastline with rugged castles like Dunnottar with its violent history and Slains as the inspiration for Dracula or watch dolphins on the Banffshire coastline. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Royal Deeside and trace the steps of Queen Victoria right up to our present queen at Balmoral Castle by taking a walk around Loch Muick below dark Lochnagar. At the head of Royal Deeside is Braemar with its entrance into 4 of the highest mountains in Scotland; the largest ski resort in Scotland at Glen Shee and the highest 18 hole golf course in the UK.

There are 65 golf courses to enjoy in the Aberdeen & Grampian area varying from local village courses to famous links along the coast like Cruden Bay. Fishing is a huge industry in this area and besides the fascinating areas around Fraserburgh and Peterhead, there are many pretty fishing villages to visit along the Moray coast by following the marked Coastal Trail.

The area has its own unique culture and Doric language with a strong heritage for local Highland Games with the two biggest in Scotland at the Lonach Games in Strathdon in late August with famous celebrities and the Braemar Highland Gathering with the Queen in early September.

This is Scotland’s Castle Country and the Castle Trail covers both ruins and grand architecture with 13 of the world’s most striking castles. The area is littered with not only a fine legacy of culture with many galleries but also magnificent gardens like Pitmedden and Crathes.

The road through Strathdon takes you up the infamous Cockbridge to Tomintoul road through magnificent scenery to the Lecht Ski Centre where one of finest downhill mountain cycle tracks in the UK can be found. It then drops down into Morayshire and Tomintoul which is one of the highest settlements in the UK. Morayshire has the world’s finest Malt Whisky Trail where one can visit many of the distilleries and try a sample of the ‘amber nectar’.

The whole of Aberdeen & Grampian is well served by both natural walks for all abilities as well as defined signed trails like the Deeside Way which follows the River Dee and the old railway line from Aberdeen to Ballater. The well signed Highland Tourist Route goes right through the area from Aberdeen to Inverness and follows a quieter and more scenic route.

Aberdeen & Grampian has an unique heritage and culture and demands to be visited and enjoyed by the discerning visitor