Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter

Balmoral Estate & Royal Deeside

© Grampian Escapes & Tours

Ballater, Northeast of Scotland

Balmoral & Royal Deeside Tour

Experience the beauty of the Royal Deeside with it's connections to the Monarchy. Starting from Aberdeen we follow the River Dee to Balmoral*. Walk in the footsteps of generations of Royals who have called this castle home.

Departs: Tue - Fri & Sun at 09:00 (Bookings must be made in advance)

From: The Wallace Monument in front of His Majesty's Theatre on Rosemount Viaduct.

Duration: 7.5 hours


Balmoral Castle & Estate

The Royal’s treasured highland home

Balmoral is a treasured family home for the Royal family since 1850, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert chose this beautiful region to create their great escape. A landscape with stunning views of the hills and mountains, fields of heather and the majestic river Dee that flows through it.

The estate was the late Queen Elizabeth's private country retreat in Scotland and a beloved home. King Charles III has a great affection for the castle and grounds and often spends time walking through the estate.

We highly recommend listening to the audio tour. The audio will share stories and guides you around the estate. (Pre-booked Balmoral entry tickets will receive the audio tour free!)The Ballroom is only room open to visitors within the Castle. The objects in the Ballroom are from within the Castle, and are all objects that belong to the Royal Family.

Balmoral will close from early August 2025 We will be visiting the National Trust for Scotland's Crathes Castle & Gardens during this time. When Balmoral is reopened as a country park, we will resume a visit to Balmoral Estate.

Crathes Castle

Crathes Castle was home to the Burnett family who had roots in the area dating back to 1323. The Burnett family lived in the castle for over 350 years. Alexander Burnett built the castle in the 16th century, an intricate maze of turrets, towers, oak panels, and painted ceilings, many of which survive beautifully to this day.

Inside you’ll find a rooms rich in cultural history, from family portraits to fine antique furniture. The walled garden is a wonderful display, including a sculpted topiary, soft herbaceous colours and modern exotic blooms. The massive yew hedges are thought to have been planted as early as 1702.

The village of Ballater

Victorian Charm

The Victorian village of Ballater sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, at the eastern gateway to the Cairngorms National Park, making it one of Scotland’s most scenic visitor spots.

A stroll around the village reveals an interesting range of specialty shops and good selection of restaurants and cafes to enjoy some of the local food & drink. Notice the shops which display Royal Warrants on their store fronts, a sure sign of quality and support from the Royal family.

Sitting alongside the river Dee and surrounded by hills and mountains, Ballater is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Be sure to visit the beautiful Victorian Railway Station and the tourist information centre which has more information about the village. Walk past the Victorian Barracks, still in use, when the Royal family are staying in Balmoral.


Cambus O'May Suspension Bridge

An iconic bridge

The Cambus O' May suspension bridge spans the river Dee and is a legacy from the estate of Alexander Gordon. Built in 1905, the footbridge is 50 m long and carries visitors to the other side. The Deeside Way, a trail following the former Deeside Railway, passes the north-eastern end of the bridge. Footpaths from the bridge lead to Torphantrick wood and the Muir of Dinnet nature reserve, popular spots for visitors who enjoy woodland walks and wild swimming in the river.


Tomnavarie Stone Circle

Tomnaverie is a recumbent stone circle, a kind of monument found only in north-eastern Scotland. Their characteristic feature is a large stone on its side, flanked by two upright stones, usually on the south or south-west arc of the circle. The stone circle surrounds a burial cairn dating to about 4,500 years ago. Relatively little is known about why we have these structures, there are several theories which you’ll discover on your visit.


The Queen's View

A breathtaking view

Just outside the village of Tarland is the Queen's View. 'The Queens View' gained its name from Queen Victoria who fell in love with the view of the lower valley of the Howe of Cromar which includes a view of the peak of Lochnagar. The location is particularly loved by the royals who find it an unspoiled beauty which has not altered greatly for hundreds of years making it even more remarkable and memorable, and a view which epitomises Aberdeenshire.

À partir de £99 par adulte

Dates de départ

  • Lundi
  • Mardi
  • Mercredi
  • Jeudi
  • Vendredi
  • Samedi
  • Dimanche

Avril — Octobre

Réserver maintenant

Coordonnées

Grampian Escapes & Tours Ltd

Woodstock House
Inverurie Street
Aberdeenshire
United Kingdom
AB30 1XS
Voir les coordonnées du prestataire

Tour information

Point de départ

  • Aberdeen City Centre

Durée

1 Day

Transport

  • Minibus

Type de circuit

  • Small Group (1-16)

Langues

  • English

Thèmes

  • Castles
  • History
  • Landscapes

Prix

À partir de £99 Par adulte

Réserver maintenant

Les prix peuvent varier selon la saison

Étapes de l’excursion

Galerie photo

Grampian Escapes & Tours Ltd

Information sur le prestataire

Grampian Escapes & Tours Ltd

We offer day trips around Aberdeenshire, delivering high-quality tours in a welcoming atmosphere that lets you truly enjoy the experience. Whether you’re looking to escape daily life, sightsee at a relaxed pace, or connect with fellow travelers over great conversations, we’ve got you covered. We love blending the area’s iconic attractions with hidden gems. Our tours feature stunning scenic drives, leisurely walks, and breathtaking spots. Tours are limited to a maximum 7 guests per tour. From mountains to the sea, the northeast of Scotland has endless beauty to discover.

Réseaux sociaux

Visitez Grampian Escapes & Tours Ltd

Horaires d'ouverture

April - October
Open 7 days a week from 09:00 - 17:00

November - March
Open 5 days a week from 09:00 - 17:00

Autres circuits du même prestataire

Visitez:Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire
Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire

Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire

Point de départ: Aberdeen City Centre

On this tour we will visit some of the region's most dramatic coastline. Taking...

Durée:

1 day(s)

Prix à partir de:

£99pp

Visitez: Site internet
Visitez:Aberdeen's Ancient Heritage and Folklore Tour
Aberdeen's Ancient Heritage and Folklore Tour

Aberdeen's Ancient Heritage and Folklore Tour

Point de départ: Aberdeen City Centre

The early inhabitants of the northeast of Scotland were the Picts, and they have...

Durée:

1 day(s)

Prix à partir de:

£99pp

Visitez: Site internet
Visitez:Dunnottar Castle & Coastal Heritage
Dunnottar Castle & Coastal Heritage

Dunnottar Castle & Coastal Heritage

Point de départ: Aberdeen City Centre

On this tour you will visit the iconic Dunnottar Castle and beautiful coastline...

Durée:

1 day(s)

Prix à partir de:

£99pp

Visitez: Site internet

Le contenu de cette page de produit provient non pas de VisitScotland mais de l’opérateur tiers du produit concerné. VisitScotland n’accepte aucune responsabilité pour (1) toute erreur ou fausse déclaration contenue sur cette liste page, et (2) le contenu de tout lien externe conteny sur cette page ((1) et (2) ensemble ci-après dénommés le « Contenu »). VisitScotland exclut toute responsabilité en cas de pertes ou de dommages potentiellement causés par ledit Contenu. Ledit Contenu est fourni à titre d'information uniquement et n’est pas soumis à la responsabilité de VisitScotland.

Start Your Story in Scotland

Where history meets breathtaking beauty, and every visit feels like an escape.

Inspiration for your trip

Step into a land steeped in history and legend, explore our dramatic landscapes and uncover our ancient Celtic roots. Vast lochs, glens and Munros - easily accessible from our vibrant cities and towns - make Scotland the perfect place to lose yourself.

Discover unique experiences in Scotland

Discover hidden gems, plan your perfect trip, or find exactly what you need—from scenic hikes and cosy cottages to events and cultural experiences.

Discover Scotland's vibrant events and festivals

FIFA World Cup 2026

Cheer on Scotland at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and find information about fan zones in Scotland, stadium tours and more.

Highland games in Scotland

From the tug o' war to the caber toss, Scotland's Highland games are not to be missed.

Edinburgh Festivals

Discover Edinburgh's summer festivals, including the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Events and festivals in Scotland

There's something happening in Scotland right now that the whole family will love.

Countdown to Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Less than 100 days to go until 11 days of world-class action across the city, bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations together to compete across 10 sports.

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Start planning your summer break

Witness Scotland step into summer, with longer days and plenty of experiences to enjoy from coastal walks to fun exhibitions.

Summer holidays & breaks in Scotland

Find ideas and inspiration, from family days out to top camping spots, walks and outdoor activities.

Scotland's islands

Find out about the hundreds of islands in Scotland including Arran, Lewis, Skye, Outer Hebrides and Shetland. Plan the perfect island getaway today.

Scottish music festivals

Find out what’s happening in Scotland this year

The best tours of Scotland - luxury & scenic tours

Tour Scotland at your own pace with these fantastic ideas.

Your Scottish adventure starts here

Use our interactive map to explore wild landscapes, vibrant cities, rich culture, and hidden historic gems to craft your personal Scottish experience.

Map of Scotland

As seen on TV!

From Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir's luxury Scotland itinerary to local suggestions on the highlights of Glasgow and Dumfries & Galloway, check out this top advice on trips across Scotland.

Tara & Johnny's luxury Scotland itinerary

Have you been inspired by Tara & Johnny's Scotland itinerary as seen on NBC's Extra Mile Club? Read on and plan your own Scottish adventure.

Channel 4's Where to next? Scotland itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of comedians Fatiha El-Ghorri and John Tothill on their unforgettable journey through Scotland.

Scotland trip itineraries

Plan your days in Scotland with the help of our suggested itineraries.

Your pictures of Scotland

Share your images by tagging @VisitScotland 

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see social media images for this place. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter