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Aberdeen & North East

Aberdeen, the Capital of the Grampian Highlands. Aberdeen is world-famous as the "Granite City" and the sun lit granite stone that is such a striking feature of numerous splendid buildings in its lively city centre. Aberdeen is a cathedral city with three cathedrals, the most impressive being St Machar's, and is a regular winner of the "Britain in Bloom" trophy for it's colourful floral displays and parks. Whether you are looking for great shopping, good food, culture, sport or a relaxing stroll in beautiful parks and gardens there is something for all tastes.

Local Places of Interest and Activities

Aberdeen Old Town — Here is preserved the ancient dwellings and town plan of what was once a separate burgh. Don't miss King's College, the centre of Aberdeen University, an imposing four-square building erected around the famous Quadrangle. King's College Chapel, used for daily worship for five centuries, houses a collection of 15th century wood and ornamentation.

Provost Skene's House — Dating from 1545, Provost Skene's House is one of Aberdeen's few surviving examples of early burgh architecture. It now houses an attractive series of period room settings, recalling the elegant furnishings of earlier times from the 17th century Great Hall, Parlour and Bedroom to the 18th century Bedroom and Georgian Dining Room, as well as a Nursery recreated from the late 19th century.

St Machar's — The cathedral was built in 1131 to replace St Machar's original Celtic church. Over the years St Machar's has been home to congregations of various Christian faiths. Until the 12th century Celtic, from 1131-1560 Roman Catholic, 1625-1638 and 1690-1685 Episcopalian, and from 1690 to the present Presbyterian. There are surely very few, if any, other Christian cathedrals that can claim to have a Roman Catholic bishop, Episcopalian bishop and a Moderator of the General Assembly buried side by side.

Tours to take of the Surrounding Area

Bullars of Buchan — The Bullars of Buchan can be located off the A975 three miles north of Cruden Bay. It is a famous sea chasm some 200 feet deep where the ocean rushes in through a natural archway open to the sky. The cliff scenery here is some of the most spectacular in Britain.

Pitmedden Gardens — Originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. Famous for it's displays using box hedges and bedding plants. The centrepiece of this property is the Great Garden, three of the formal parterres were taken from designs possibly used in the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh in 1647. The fourth parterre is a heraldic design based on Sir Alexander's coat-of-arms. In the 1950s re-creation of the elaborate floral designs was undertaken to give the gardens known today.

Crathes Castle & Gardens — The castle, built in the second half of the 16th century, is a superb example of a tower house of the period. Some of the rooms retain their original painted ceilings and collections of family portraits and furniture. A visit is enhanced by the walled garden, which incorporates herbaceous borders and many unusual plants, providing a wonderful display at all times of the year.

Fyvie Castle — The five towers of Fyvie Castle enshrine five centuries of Scottish history, each being named after one of the five families that who owned the castle. The oldest part dates from the 13th century and is now probably the grandest example of Scottish Baronial architecture. Apart from the great wheel-stair, the finest in Scotland, there is an exceptionally important collection of portraits, arms and armour, and 16th century tapestries.

Castle Fraser — This magnificent castle, one of the "Castles of Mar" dates from 1575 and incorporates earlier building. The castle comprises a wealth of historic furnishings, paintings and fine embroidery. The castle is surrounded by extensive parkland, walled garden, picnic area and woodland walks.