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Dunnottar Castle
Aberdeenshire
Located on the north-east coast of Scotland, Aberdeenshire surrounds Aberdeen city. It stretches from the Banffshire coast in the north to St Cyrus National Nature Reserve in the east, featuring beautiful coastlines, pretty seaside towns, rugged cliffs and sandy bays. It also has incredible mountains and farmland as it runs towards the Cairngorms National Park.
Great things to do in Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire has some great activities and attractions including castles, walks, mountain biking and more.
History & Heritage
Find ancient sites and symbols, mysterious standing stones, towering granite walls and legendary castles in Aberdeenshire.
Great outdoors
From scaling the heights of Ben Macdui to paddle-boarding off the coast or an e-bike ride in the valley, you’re spoiled for choice in Aberdeenshire.
Adventure activities
From mountain bike trails and Munro Bagging, to paddleboarding and skiing, find your outdoor adventure in Aberdeenshire.
Northern Nights
Discover some of the best spots in Aberdeenshire for seeing the Northern Lights and Milky Way.
Golf courses in Aberdeenshire
Discover a fantastic range of golf courses in Aberdeenshire.
Top days out ideas
Discover a region where coastline, heritage and modern innovation blend to create experiences that are as authentic as they are unique.
Dunnottar Castle
A romantic, evocative and historically significant ruined Castle, perched on a giant conglomorate on the edge of the North Sea.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Add Aberdeen Art Gallery to your travel bucket list and find out what accessible features they offer.
Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park has more mountains, forests, rivers, lochs, wildlife, friendly villages and distilleries than you can possibly imagine.
Forvie National Nature Reserve
This wild coastal landscape of dunes, cliffs and seabirds is perfect for walks and wildlife watching.
Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate
Explore ancient towers, sculpted gardens and woodland trails at one of Aberdeenshire’s most enchanting estates.
Peterhead Prison Museum
Step behind the bars of Scotland’s most notorious prison and hear the stories that shaped it.
Provost Skene’s House
Provost Skene’s House celebrates the pioneering people of Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland who have helped transform the world.
Cardhu Distillery
Discover the spirit of Speyside at the historic home of Cardhu, famed for its smooth, honeyed whisky.
Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries
The Watchers at Corgarff
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Follow a route
Take a slow road trip of Aberdeenshire, taking in the castles, distilleries and Royal attractions. Or book a tour to uncover the wildlife and incredible scenery.
See what's on in Aberdeenshire
The Mar lodge estate in Braemar
Events
From spectacular festivals to fascinating exhibitions, there's always plenty of things to do in Aberdeenshire.
How to get to and around Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is easily accessible by car, train, bus and plane so you'll be able to get here no matter where you are travelling from, and while you here it's easy to travel around.
Getting to Aberdeenshire
Bus and coach
The city of Aberdeen is the main travel hub for Aberdeenshire. There are many frequent and affordable bus services that travel from various main cities to Aberdeen daily.
Train
Aberdeen’s railway station, right in the heart of the city, has frequent fast and reliable services to and from major cities.
LNER trains run along the east coast from cities such as Edinburgh, York, Newcastle and London.
Scotrail provides an express rail service direct to Aberdeen from many major cities.
Aberdeen can also be reached overnight from London on the Caledonian Sleeper.
Driving
There are many car hire companies operating in Aberdeen.
Flying
Fly into Aberdeen International Airport from a number of destinations.
The region is well connected globally with daily flights to major airports including London Heathrow, Paris and Amsterdam. The international airport also has many direct routes to most UK cities as well as many key European destinations.
Or fly to one of Scotland's other airports and journey up to Aberdeen by bus, or train.
Getting around Aberdeenshire
Cycling
You can hire bikes at various locations across Aberdeenshire:
Bus and coach
First Bus operate regular buses across the city of Aberdeen while Stagecoach Bluebird's buses link the towns and villages in Aberdeenshire.
GrassHOPPER passes let you hop on and off within a certain zone. Find out more on GrassHOPPER zones and ticket prices, and how to use them.
Vehicle hire
There are several car hire companies operating in Aberdeenshire.
Tours
Want to relax and let someone else drive?
Book a tour and hear from a knowledgeable local tour guide as they highlight points of interest, stop off at the best hidden gems and visit the iconic landmarks you’ve heard all about.
Taxi
There are several taxi companies operating in Aberdeenshire.
Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages in Banchory, Aberdeenshire
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Places to stay in Aberdeenshire
From a self-catering bothy out in the countryside, to a B&B by the coast, or luxe city hotel, Aberdeenshire caters for all guests.
West Beach Caravan Park, Moray
Places to eat in Aberdeenshire
Enjoy local food and drink experiences in Aberdeenshire, including Aberdeen Angus Beef, fresh seafood, famous whisky and more.
Duthie Park
Find information on accessible trips
Plan an accessible break in Aberdeenshire, with welcoming places to stay, great food and plenty to explore.
Explore by area
From Royal Deeside to coastal fishing towns, uncover the landscapes, heritage and communities that make Aberdeenshire special.
Ballater
Explore Royal Deeside in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park for scenic landscapes, nature and views.
Banchory
Nestled in Royal Deeside, Banchory is home to stunning landscapes and captivating attractions.
Banff
Discover historic charms, natural beauty, and Georgian architecture in Banff.
Braemar
Located near Ballater in the heart of the national park, explore Braemar's fascinating royal connections.
Cruden Bay
Delve into a coastline full of sandy white beaches, crystal clear waters, and a picturesque fishing harbour.
Fraserburgh
A paradise for outdoor adventure seekers, with watersports, cycling, walking and more.
Peterhead
A bustling fishing port with delectable seafood to try.
Stonehaven
A popular spot due to the dramatic Dunnottar Castle, it's a great place for families to explore too.
Explore nearby
Explore Aberdeenshire and beyond, with itineraries and recommendations that take you through the Highlands, Angus and Perthshire.
The Scottish Highlands
Head north for a weekend break or longer holiday in the Highlands, and discover ancient castles, peaceful lochs, and unforgettable views.
Dundee & Angus
Explore Dundee & Angus, a beautiful, historic and vibrant region packed with fantastic things to see and do.
Perthshire
Enjoy the perfect holiday in Perthshire with plenty of things to do, including family-friendly days out or adrenaline fuelled outdoor activities.
Other things you might like
10 Hidden gems in Aberdeen
Discover & Shop the Shire - Fraserburgh
Scotland's landscapes, scenery & nature
Scotland's 8 cities
The Reluctant Traveller’s ancestral adventure in Scotland
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