Museums
Galleries
Visitor Attractions
Visitor Information - Aberdeen and Grampian
History and Heritage
Castles
Activities
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Museums
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Visitor Attractions Visitor Information - Aberdeen and GrampianHistory and Heritage |
Castles
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Out and About: |
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A land of royal and stately castles; some situated along the breathtaking coast and others inland with their vast estates. Deeside and Balmoral, of course, are the world-famous holiday retreats of the Royal family. The 200 or so miles of coast holds other treasures too, in the form of delightful fishing villages such as Crovie, Gourdon, Gardenstown and Pennan, where part of the film Local Hero was shot. There are many others. Outdoors enthusiasts can choose from a variety of activities: skiing, walking, climbing, fishing, golf, cycling, sailing, canoeing and just about anything that takes your fancy.
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Historic Buildings and Castles: |
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Sauchen, by Inverurie. Most elaborate 'Z' plan castle in Scotland. Building started in 1575. |
Dunnottar Castle Near Stonehaven. Dramatic and imposing, Dunnottar Castle is a breath-taking spectacle in its cliff-top setting above the North Sea. |
Fyvie Castle Near Turriff. Fyvie Castle was once a Royal stronghold. It is one of the finest examples of Scottish Baronoal architecture. Dates from 1390. |
Fifteen miles NE of Grantown on Spey. The Castle is set in magnificent grounds between the Rivers Spey and Avon. |
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Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852. The castle was built from granite from the neighbouring quarries of Glen Gelder, which produced a near white stone. |
Turrif. The main tower dates from about 1100, while its final extension with the battlement walk was completed in 1579. Both wings were added in 1743 with the chapel and dovecote on the west and the kitchen and servants' quarters on the east. |
Dufftown. A castle of enclosure first owned by the Comyns with a curtain wall of 13th-century date. Added to in the 15th and 16th centuries. Visited by Mary Queen of Scots in 1562. |
An impressive fortress built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar on the site of an even older habitation. |
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Banff. Magnificent Duff House is filled with fine paintings, furniture, tapestries and artefacts drawn from the National Galleries of Scotland, the Erskine of Torrie Institute, and several private lenders. |
Eight miles west of Strathdon. A 16th-century tower house converted into a barracks for Government troops in 1748. Its last military use was to control the smuggling of illicit whisky between 1827 and 1831. Still complete and with its 18th-century star-shaped fortification. |
Near Elgin. Founded in 1230, it is the only medieval monastery in Britain still inhabited by monks and being used for its original purpose. |
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Museums and Galleries: |
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Best known for its pictish stones and unique local fossils, this museum also covers archaeology, geology, natural history, social history and ethnography. |
Displays relating to local history; especially James Scott Skinner - the Strathspey King. Deeside's royal connections and natural history. |
Displays of local history of Banff: its silver, arms, armour, natural history and geology. There are special displays on ninteenth century. |
An important art collection ranging from 14th-21st century with outstanding examples of 19th-20th century works. Also, a rich and diverse decorative arts collection and an active programme of special exhibitions. |
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The City's award-winning Maritime Museum brings the history of the North Sea to life. View multimedia displays and exciting exhibitions on the offshore oil industry, shipbuilding, fishing and clipper ships then visit the museum shop and licensed cafe. The Museum Shop features a range of nautical souvenirs. |
Built to teach astronavigation, the Planetarium presents shows on astronomical topics of broader interest aimed at schools, industry and the general public. |
Near Mintlaw. Delightful country park location with children's play area and walks. Relive the story of our famous farming past in the beautiful surroundings of Aden Country Park. |
Peterhead. Discover the wealth of Peterhead's maritime history in one of Aberdeenshire's oldest museums. See models showing the development of Peterhead fishing boats and also a collection of Inuit artefacts. |
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Alford. There are a number of displays, working exhibits and video presentations that trace the history of travel and transport in the Grampian area. |
At The Gordon Highlanders Museum you can re-live the compelling and dramatic story of one of the British Army's most famous regiments, through the lives of its outstanding personalities and of the kilted soldiers of the North East of Scotland who filled its ranks. |
The Heritage Centre is owned by Fraserburgh Heritage Society and operated on a voluntary basis. The building was originally a barrel making factory, and then a foundry. It has now been converted into a modern visitor centre which illustrates the history of Fraserburgh and its people. |
Lossiemouth Fisheries & Community Museum
The Museum will show you visually the life and times of the people of North-East Scotland. In particular, the hard life of the fishermen and their families is portrayed with small life-size displays. |
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Throughout the year the gallery hosts a series of monthly, themed exhibitions of contemporary art, craft and design pieces from all over Scotland and further a field. If you're looking for a special gift for a birthday, anniversary, token of thanks, Christmas etc we have plenty to tempt you - all totally hand crafted and unique pieces of work. |
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Parks and Gardens: |
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Glenlivet Estate Large Highland estate, some of the finest landscapes in the Grampian region, 60 miles of marked trails on estate tracks. Access for walkers, mountain bikers and skiers. Information Office in Tomintoul. |
Kildrummy Castle Gardens Early summer: rhododendrons, azaleas. Autumn: blazing colour. Alpine shrub & water gardens, video room, play area, walks. Garden accessible to wheelchairs. Located just west of Alford |
Pitmedden Gardens
Woodland walks, herb and wildlife gardens, picnic area, shop and tearoom. |
Duthie Park Winter Gardens Open all year. Europe's largest indoor garden collection. Flora and fauna from around the world, fish and birds, restaurant (summer). Admission free. Duthie Park is located to the south of Aberdeen city centre. |
Visitor Attractions: |
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Alford Valley Railway Alford. Narrow gauge passenger railway running from Alford Station to Haughton Country Park. |
Museum of Scottish Lighthouses Major exhibition of artefacts from lighthouses across Scotland. A visit includes a guided tour to the top of Kinnaird Head Lighthouse. Near Fraserburgh, off the A98 on a promontory. |
Make science come alive at Satrosphere, Aberdeen's interactive science centre, with over 100 hands-on exhibits, shows, workshops and weekend events. Fun for families - and all grown ups who love to explore and experiment. Look into infinity, light up a plasma dome, leave your shadow behind, step inside a bubble, or see pink elephants it's all possible at Satrosphere! |
A'anside Studios Tomintoul. Studios comprising of several sections: stainglassing where visitors can watch, gallery with large range of paintings and prints. Regular demonstrations of lacemaking, weaving etc. Gift shop. |
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Oyne village, near Inverurie. Indoor and outdoor attractions including computer simulations, galleries, presentations and reconstructions of an Iron Age farm and a Stone Age settlement. |
Near Fochabers. The Highland Village overlooks the picturesque River Spey. Tour the lovingly recreated 19th Century Old Museum Shop of founder George Baxter. |
Arbuthnoot, adjacent to Arbuthnott Parish Hall. It comprises an exhibition of the author's writings and possessions together with an attractive cafe serving light meals and refreshments throughout the day. |
Macduff. The aquarium is the most northerly of Scotland's aquaria and has several unique features. The most obvious of these is the main tank, positioned right in the centre of the building and open to the sky. It is the deepest tank in Scotland and one of the deepest in Europe. |
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Dufftown. The railway carries passengers and runs between Dufftown and the market town of Keith. |
Spey Bay, north of Fochabers. The centre has an exhibition devoted to the dolphins and other wildlife found in and around the Moray Firth. |
Macduff Marine Aquarium Macduff, near Banff. Guided tours of the aquarium's displays from Moray Firth. Introduction to touch pool/ray tank area are available on request. There is also a regular programmeof events-videos, themed talks, feeding. |
Logie Steading, Forres
t: 01309 611733 The Visitor Centre has a gallery, secondhand bookshop, plant nursery, antiques shop(s) and various more ephemeral outlets, not to mention a great eating place, a walled garden and walks down by the Findhorn. |
Distilleries: |
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Welcome to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Whisky, Music, Food & Fun in Malt Whisky Country. |
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Bike Hire: |
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Located in the very heart of Speyside we have top quality mountain bikes for hire both for adults and children. All our bikes (Trail Bikes and Double Suspension Mountain Bikes) are less than a year old and are professionally maintained to the highest standards. On the Speyside Way and only a couple of miles from the Moray Monster Trails site at Ben Aigen we are ideally located for your adventure holiday in Speyside.
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Car Hire: |
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Aberdeen
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Aberdeen
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Huntly
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Ferries: |
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Ferries between Aberdeen, Orkney and Shetland. |
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