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Dunnottar Castle

  1. Home
  2. Places to go
  3. Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

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 conglomerate on the edge of the North Sea.

Aberdeen Art Gallery

Step inside Aberdeen Art Gallery and uncover centuries of artistic treasures.

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

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.

  • North East 250
Find more ideas

See what's on in Aberdeenshire

From spectacular festivals to fascinating exhibitions, there's always plenty of things to do in Aberdeenshire.

The Braemar Gathering

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Aboyne Games, 1 August 2026 – experience the excitement of the famous Highland games with traditional competitions, music and entertainment in the heart of the Highlands.

Turriff Show, 2 – 3 August 2026 – Scotland’s biggest two-day agricultural show celebrating farming, community, and Aberdeenshire heritage, with livestock competitions, rural showcases, local food, and plenty of street fun.

Nexo Championships in Aberdeen, 20 – 23 August 2026 – the world’s top golfers compete over four days on one of Scotland’s most iconic championship courses. Expect dramatic coastal scenery, world-class sport, and an electric atmosphere.

Braemar Gathering, 5 September 2026 – the legendary Braemar Gathering brings a spectacular day of Highland games, massed pipe bands and fierce traditional competition to the heart of the Cairngorms.

Thrive Ballater, 18 – 20 September 2026 – don’t miss this three-day mountain bike festival. Expect epic trails, top bike brands, live entertainment, and a buzzing village festival set against the stunning backdrop of Royal Deeside.

Aberdeen Comedy Festival, 19 September – 4 October 2026 – the city becomes a hub of laughter, with stand-up, sketch shows and big-name comedy acts alongside rising talent. Expect packed venues, sharp wit, and a lively mix of performances.

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're 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.

  • Megabus to Aberdeen
  • Scottish Citylink to Aberdeen
  • Flixbus to Aberdeen

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.

Book with LNER

Scotrail provides an express rail service direct to Aberdeen from many major cities.

Check Scotrail timetables

Aberdeen can also be reached overnight from London on the Caledonian Sleeper.

Travel overnight on the Caledonian Sleeper

Driving

There are many car hire companies operating in Aberdeen.

Find car hire in Aberdeenshire

Hire a car from Aberdeen airport

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.

  • Find out more on bus travel from the airport
  • Book a taxi to and from the airport
  • You can hire a car from Aberdeen airport

Getting around Aberdeenshire

Cycling

You can hire bikes at various locations across Aberdeenshire:

  • ebike 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.

Search for car or vehicle hire in Aberdeen & 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.

Search for tours in Aberdeenshire

Taxi

There are several taxi companies operating in Aberdeenshire. 

Find taxi details and book a journey

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.   

  • Accommodation in Aberdeenshire

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.

  • Guide to the Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire
Browse food & drink options

Duthie Park

Find information on accessible trips

Plan an accessible break in Aberdeenshire, with welcoming places to stay, great food and plenty to explore.

  • Euan's Guide – Aberdeenshire
  • AccessAble – Aberdeenshire
  • 7 accessible experiences in Aberdeenshire

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.

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