Aberdeen Guía

8/11/2019 Aberdeen Gua

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Enjoy cultural attractionsin towns, villages and a

flourishing cityExperience the majestyand wild beauty ofthe Banffshire coast,Royal Deeside and theCairngorms National Park

What to See & Do 2014-15

Explore: Aberdeen

City and Shire

Fascinating History

Inspiring Landscapes

City Culture


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Aberdeen City

and Shire

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Explore over 100 milesof stunning coastline

Discover royal connections onthe Victorian Heritage Trail

Indulge in sumptuouslocal food and drink

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DisclaimerVisitScotland has published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted to it by the proprietor/managers of the premises listed who have paid for their entries to be included. Although VisitScotland has taken reasonable steps to confirm the information contained in the guideat the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, VisitScotland recommends that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of the business to ensure that the facilities, cost and all other aspects of the premises aresatisfactory. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in the guide. VisitScotland also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by thebankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual contained in this guide. Cartography: Collins Bartholomew Ltd 2014: The contents of this publication are believed correct at the time of printing. Nevertheless, the publisher and copyright ownercan accept no responsibility for errors or omissions, changes in the detail given, or for any expense or loss thereby caused. The representation of a road, track or footpath is no evidence of a right of way. Quality Assurance awards are correct as of January 2014.

For further information on accommodation and exploring Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com

Welcome to...


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02City, coast and countryside

04Cultural delights in the Granite City

06Discover Scotlands Castle Trail

08Explore a dramatic coastline

10Adventures in the great outdoors

12Homecoming Scotland 2014

14Whats on

16Getting here and around

18VisitScotland Information Centres

19Quality Assurance

20How to read the listings

21Great days out Places to visit

29Great days out Leisure activities

34Great days out Shopping

35Great days out Food & drink

36Great days out Tours

37Great days out Transport

48Aberdeenshire area Map 1

49Aberdeen city Map 2

Contents

CreditsPhotography:Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, Iain Sarjeant(inc. front cover), Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership/Lyn MacDonald,Walter Hislop/Newmachar Golf Club, Lorne Gill/SNH, Sam Brill/Aberdeen

Convention Bureau, Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Aberdeen CityCouncil, Aberdeenshire Council, Balmoral Estate, Chris Robson, The ShipInn, Go Ape!, Castle Charter Marine Services.

Design:APS Group Scotland | www.theapsgroup.com, Shaw Marketingand Design | www.shaw-online.com and THK Design | www.thkdesign.com

This brochure is printed on recycled content paper. VisitScotland iscommitted to ensuring that our environment, upon which our tourismis so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.

Cover:The majestic ruins of Huntly Castle inHuntly, Aberdeenshire.01Picturesque Crovie on the Banffshire coast.02A performance during Aberdeen International

Youth Festival.03Drum Castle, near Peterculter.04Common and grey seals, Sands of Forvie.05The Stonehaven Fireball Ceremony, Stonehaven.06Stonehaven Golf Club, Stonehaven.07Provost Skenes House, Aberdeen.

Make the most of your break in Aberdeen City and Shire and

uncover a diverse region full of history, culture and inspiringnatural beauty.

With all the delights of a modern city, Aberdeenboasts award-winning restaurants, fantasticshopping and a vibrant nightlife. Aberdeen offersa wealth of history and culture including fantasticgalleries, museums and historical buildings,as well as a superb beach a short walk fromthe city centre.

Head out of the city to rural Aberdeenshire, hometo ancient castles, idyllic villages, wonderful wildlife

and miles of clifftops, coves and beaches that makeup the rugged and spectacular coastline.

Discover the epic Banffshire coast, beautifulRoyal Deeside and the stunning CairngormsNational Park, the largest National Park in theUK. Explore the unique history of 17 castlesalong Scotlands Castle Trail and get activewith a wide range of leisure activities such asgolf, hillwalking, sea kayaking and skiing.

Get a taste of the region by sampling deliciouslocal produce, including Aberdeen Angus beef

and a dram from one of Aberdeenshires manydistilleries.

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Explore history alongScotlands Castle Trail 06

Get active with someoutdoor adventures 10

Find out whats onin the area 14

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To find out more aboutAberdeen City and Shirego to www.visitscotland.com/aberdeencity-shire 01

www.visitscotland.com/aberdeencity-shire


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Explore the cosmopolitan city of Aberdeen with its bustling streets,

award-winning restaurants and vibrant nightlife. Outwith the city, discover

the picturesque villages spread along the coast or explore the majesty of

Royal Deeside and the wild beauty of the Cairngorms National Park.

Huntly This historic town, in the heart of Aberdeenshire,

is home to beautiful Huntly Castle, lovely LeithHall, a picturesque town square and a viewinggallery, where visitors can watch tasty Deans ofHuntly shortbread being made in the factory.

Visit nearby GlenDronach Distillery, which hasbeen producing rich sherried single malts inquality casks for almost 200 years. Enjoy bird of

prey demonstrations at the North East FalconryCentre, or immerse yourself in the vibrant localDeveron Arts scene.

Inverurie and Oldmeldrum Inverurie is a thriving market town set amid

rolling countryside with a variety of independentshops and a popular monthly farmers market.The town is surrounded by some wonderfulPictish history with stone circles such as EasterAquhorthies and Loanhead of Daviot, and theMaiden Stone, a 3 m high Pictish symbol stone.

Nearby Oldmeldrum is another historic town

and it is home to one of Scotlands oldestdistilleries, Glen Garioch. Oldmeldrum is alsohome to a prehistoric hill fort, Sheldon StoneCircle, the impressive Tolquhon Castle andstately Haddo House.

City, coast and

countryside

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Aberdeen city Aberdeen is one of Scotlands most striking

cities. Its granite architecture and seaside settingare well worth exploring.

There are historic cathedrals and collegebuildings, wonderful museums and artgalleries, beautiful parks and gardens, superbshopping opportunities, great restaurantsand a lively nightlife.

Balmoral and Braemar Balmoral Castle, the Royal Familys summer

residence in Scotland, and Crathie Kirk, nearBalmoral, are two must-see attractions.

Uncover the fascinating history of Braemar,an attractive village in the heart of the

Cairngorms National Park.

With 24 Munros in the area (mountains over3,000 ft) there are plenty of opportunities forhillwalkers to burn off some energy.

Ballater and Banchory Many shops in the delightful Victorian town

of Ballater bear Royal Warrants as suppliersto Her Majesty the Queen.

Banchory is a charming town, just west ofAberdeen. Crathes Castle is nearby, as isthe Royal Deeside Railway, a fascinatingheritage railway.

Banffshire coast This region is dotted with quaint towns and

cliff-hugging villages such as Gardenstown,Crovie and Pennan.

Explore the coastline and spot incredible wildlifeincluding bottlenose dolphins and gannets.

Fraserburgh Fraserburgh is home to award-winning sandy

beaches that are some of the best places inScotland for surfing and kite sports.

Explore the Deeside Way fromAberdeen through to Ballater

Enjoy some of the UKs finestgolf at Cruden Bay Golf Club

Did youknow?

Braemar is the perfectplace to experience the

sounds of the autumnalred deer stag rut.

Aberdeen City and Shire

02 For further information on accommodation and exploring Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com


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Peterhead and Cruden Bay Peterhead, the most eastern point on

mainland Scotland, is a major fishing portand the bay is great for sailing, kayakingand wildlife watching.

Cruden Bay, a picturesque coastal village withover 1.5 miles of sand and dunes, boasts oneof the finest golf courses in the country.

Stonehaven and Fettercairn Uncover the popular coastal town of

Stonehaven, which features a fantasticharbour and the nearby dramatic ruins ofDunnottar Castle.

Inland is pretty Fettercairn with its mainsquare, market cross and the white-washedbuildings of Fettercairn Distillery. The RoyalArch erected in 1864 is one of the villagesmost distinctive features.

Turriff and Fyvie Turriff is a bustling town with a historic

market square, and is the home of the Turriff

Agricultural Show, the largest annual eventin Aberdeenshire.

The fairytale Fyvie Castle lies in the parish ofFyvie and the nearby St Peters Church containsthree carved Pictish stones and a cross.

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Explore Gardenstown, Crovie andPennan on the Banffshire coast

Discover links with the seaat Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Visit Glen Tanar NNR and theancient Caledonian pine forest

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Highlights Royal Deeside explore the villages

in this beautiful part of Aberdeenshireand visit Muir of Dinnet NationalNature Reserve, where youll uncover

a beautiful mosaic of woodland, heathand open water.

Scotlands Castle Trail immerseyourself in the regions rich historywith a visit to the 17 castles on thisfascinating trail.

The Banffshire coast visit uniquecoastal villages such as Portsoy withits stunning 17th century harbour.

01Glenbuchat, Aberdeenshire.02Descending Mither Tap OBennachie.03Pictish standing stone, Muir of Dinnet NNR.04Gardenstown, near Banff, on the

Banffshire coast.05Union Street, Aberdeen.

Dont miss... Formartine and Buchan Way this

53-mile walking and cycling route extends

from Dyce in Aberdeen out to Fraserburghand Peterhead.

Woodend Barn, Banchory enjoymusic, theatre, dance and more at thisfantastic arts venue.

Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehavenone of Scotlands most iconic sights.

Bennachie, near Inverurie witness theviews from the summit of Mither Tap.

City, coast and countryside

To find out more aboutAberdeen City and Shirego to www.visitscotland.com/aberdeencity-shire03


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Take a stroll around the cobbled streets of OldAberdeen and discover the magnificent KingsCollege, part of Aberdeen University. The UKs

fifth oldest university was founded in 1495.

Nearby is St Machars Cathedral, one of theoldest granite cathedrals in the world, and theOld Townhouse, the focal point of Old Aberdeenand the gateway to both the university and itscharming medieval campus.

Make the most of Aberdeens coastal locationand grab some fresh sea air at the citysbeachfront esplanade. Enjoy attractionsincluding Aberdeens Beach Leisure Centre,Codonas Amusement Park, and the QueensLinks cinema and leisure complex.

Uncover a wide range of free attractionsincluding Aberdeen Art Gallery, the AberdeenMaritime Museum, Provost Skenes House andthe Tolbooth Museum.

Get active at the Aberdeen Sports Village,the premier sports facility in the north eastof Scotland.

Have an adrenaline-fuelled day at TransitionExtreme, an urban sports hub with a varietyof activities including BMX biking, climbing,skateboarding and inline skating.

Feel the chill at Aberdeen Snowsports Centre,where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding,tubing and a variety of major snowsports eventsregardless of the weather.

Aberdeen has a reputation as a superb shoppingdestination with a variety of luxury shoppingcentres including Union Square and the Bon

Accord and St Nicholas centres. Theres also agreat selection of independent and boutiquestores in Rosemount and the citys West End.

Pay a visit to the Granite City with history and culture in abundance, as well as

beautiful green spaces and a superb beach. With its distinctive skyline, sparkling

granite buildings and great attractions, Aberdeen is the perfect city break

destination. Check out the wide range of events taking place, as well as the

citys buzzing nightlife and fantastic food and drink.

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Cultural delights

in the Granite CityVisit the David Welch WinterGardens in Duthie Park

Enjoy musicals, opera, ballet and

drama at His Majestys Theatre

Spot bottlenose dolphins in themouth of Aberdeen harbour




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Highlights Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference

Centre hosts the biggest names in musicand comedy.

The David Welch Winter Gardens atDuthie Park are one of Europes largestindoor gardens and Scotlands third mostvisited gardens.

The Aberdeen Country Fair is a monthlymarket on Belmont Street, in the heartof the city, which showcases the best ofthe regions local produce. It is one of thelargest markets in Scotland.

01A view of Union Street from the Castlegatein Aberdeen city centre.

02Sampling the range of whisky on offerin Aberdeen.

03Sculpture at New Kings, Old Aberdeen.04Aberdeens city beach, a short walk from

the city centre.

05Statue of Robert the Bruce outsideMarischal College, Aberdeen.

06A performance during AberdeenInternational Youth Festival.

07Christmas decorations at the Bon Accordshopping centre.

Dont miss... The Gordon Highlanders Museum

this 5-star visitor attraction is committed

to preserving and sharing the legacy ofthe world-famous regiment.

The Lemon Tree an intimatevenue for contemporary music andcutting-edge drama.

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Did you

know?A new state-of-the-artAquatics Centre is setto open in Aberdeen

in 2014.

Cultural delights in the Granite City



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Crathes Castle, a few miles from Banchory, isone of the most beautiful and well-preservedproperties in the country. This fairytale castleis a favourite for families and has a graceful

tower and beautiful walled gardens. A packedevents programme at Crathes Castle includesthe Enchanted Castle, a spectacular light andsound show.

Castle Fraser is an atmospheric baronial castlethat dates from the 15th century and features animpressive Great Hall, exquisite period furnitureand classic paintings. Stroll through the secludedwalled garden, enjoy a woodland walk or stopfor refreshments in the tearoom. There is alsoan adventure playground for children with abamboo snake walk and giant xylophone.

Duff House in Banff is one of Scotlands finestarchitectural masterpieces with work on displayfrom the National Galleries of Scotland andvarious events and tours throughout the year.You can also enjoy a round at nearby Duff HouseRoyal Golf Club.

Discover royal connections at Balmoral Castleand Estate, near Ballater, the Scottish home ofthe Royal Family in the heart of Royal Deeside.

Its easy to see why the fairytale castle ofCraigievar, near Alford, is said to have inspiredWalt Disney.

Follow in the footsteps of William Wallaceand Mary Queen of Scots at the evocativeruined clifftop fortress of Dunnottar Castle,near Stonehaven.

Explore Tolquhon Castle which is recognised forits ornate gatehouse and stunning Great Hall.

Head to Huntly Castle which sheltered Robertthe Bruce in the 14th century. In its majestic

location next to the Bogie and Deveron rivers,the heraldic sculptures and stone friezes makethis castle an unmissable attraction.

For more information on Scotlands Castle Trail,go to www.visitscotland.com/castletrail

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Discover Scotlands

Castle Trail

With over 300 castles, there are more per acre in Aberdeen City and Shire than

anywhere else in the UK. Follow Scotlands only Castle Trail which takes in 17

of the worlds most magnificent castles. Follow the distinctive white-on-brown

Castle Trail signs and youll find everything from striking clifftop ruins and grand

fortresses to royal residences and stately homes in the countryside.




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01Duff House, Banff.02Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven.03Drum Castle, near Peterculter.04Balmoral Castle, near Ballater.

Highlights Drum Castle, about 10 miles west of

Aberdeen, has magnificent views of thesurrounding countryside from itsbattlements. Dating back to the 13th

century, this is the oldest intact building inthe care of the National Trust for Scotland.

Haddo House, near Ellon, has beautifulterraced gardens with rose beds andfountains, along with a period tearoom.

See reconstructed barrack rooms atCorgarff Castle and feel the atmosphereof barrack life in the castles strikingmoorland setting.

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Dont miss... Delgatie Castle, near Turriff

admire some of the finest painted ceilingsin Scotland.

Spynie Palace, near Lossiemouthexplore the mighty tower house of DavidsTower set amidst beautiful surroundings.

Balvenie Castle, near Dufftownwitness the striking curtain wall at oneof Scotlands oldest stone castles.

Kildrummy Castle, near Kildrummyuncover the impressive stronghold of theonce powerful Earls of Mar.

Astainedglassportrait

ofSirRobertBurnett

ofLeysatCrathesCast

le,

eastofBanchory

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Uncover the ghosts, legends andfolklore at Fyvie Castle, a stunning800-year-old fortress. The castle issaid to be haunted by the ghost ofDame Lilias Drummond, who hasbeen seen walking through thehalls of her former home.

Take a fascinating guided tour ofBraemar Castle, Scotlands onlycommunity-run castle and hearhistoric tales of Jacobites, theFarquharson clan and ghosts.

Did youknow?

You can enjoy a fantastictreetop adventurewith Go Ape! atCrathes Castle.

Discover Scotlands Castle Trail



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Did youknow?

The Banffshire coast isknown as Scotlands dolphin

coast thanks to its residentpopulation of bottlenose

dolphins.

Discover the magnificent north east coastline

by following the Coastal Trail. Why not journey

along miles of continuous clifftops, coves

and beaches? Along the way visit harbours,

lighthouses and stunning seaside villages.

Take to the water and choose from a wide

range of wildlife boat trips for a chance to

see dolphins, porpoises and even whales.

Explore a dramatic

coastline


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Aberdeen Guía