THINGS TO DO

Aberdeenshire offers everything from the rugged mountains of the Cairngorm National Park to the 165 miles of unspoilt coast-line.  www.visitabdn.com is a great place to start but here are some of “oor favourites “, some well “kent“ (doric: “known”) and some “nae si well kent” (“not so well known”)

263 castles, “Ruins to Royals”: spectacular “Hamlet” inspired Dunnottar Castle @ Stonehaven, the grandeur of Tolquhon Castle @ Tarves, Huntly castle a shelter for “oor” King Robert the Bruce, Slains Castle inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula, the ghost of the Green Lady @ Crathes Castle and not forgetting our jewel in the crown, the summer residence of the Queen, Balmoral Castle.

Tours: a truly unforgettable Safari Tour @ Balmoral taking in the glens, rivers, fauna & flora all in the expert hands of your Landrover tour guide. (very limited availability) or take a drive along the North East 250 and visit some coastal villages and hamlets.

Festivals and family days “oot”: don’t miss our fishing heritage Scottish Traditional Boat Festival @ Portsoy, Fraserburgh Castle & Lighthouse is a unique experience or take a tour of Victorian Peterhead Prison.

14 Highland games: from June – Sept, the ultimate Braemar Gathering with the Royals in attendance but also notably Aberdeen, Ballater, Drumtochty Castle & Stonehaven to name but a few.

Car Enthusiasts from June – Oct, Crathes Classic Car Event, Grampian Museum and race track @ Alford and the Glamis Car Extravaganza (my favourite)…

Walks & Cycling: Aberdeens famous Bennachie Centre is 4 miles from your lodge, there’s the 41 mile Deeside Way (walk or cycle) or the “enduro” trials for cyclists at Hill of Fare, Pitfichie & Drumtochty, the sand dunes of Balmedie Beach, the clifftops of the Bullers of Buchan to Cruden Bay, I could go on…

For the “wee bairns”, Hoodles @ Oldmeldrum, Wynford Farm @ Westhill,, swings and roundabouts at Hazelhead Park and the “wee zoo” as well as Duthie Park and the magic of the fairytale The Den and Glan at Maryculter

For the “alder bairns” (“older children”): Lochter Activity Centre (nae 5 miles away), Skyline Trampoline nae 3 miles away, Codona’s Beach Amusement Park

For the “alder folk”, a walk around Duthie Park Winter Gardens, or Johnston gardens, a boat trip to see the dolphins in Aberdeen harbour, the new Art Gallery or the Maritime Museum bringing the history of the North Sea to life.

55 Golf Courses (some of my favourites); Cruden Bay GC, Kemnay GC, Hawkshill @ Newmachar GC, Stonehaven GC & Duff House Royal GC, and so many more.

6 Distilleries producing the “Water of Life”, all unique in flavour, notably Glen Garioch, GlenDronach and nestling next door to the Queens summer residence Royal Lochnagar. For the ultimate experience, Macallan Distillery in Speyside is a must