Aberdeenshire & Royal Deeside

Royal Deeside is an area that captivated Queen Victoria due to its stunning landscape of moody mountains and shimmering rivers. We enjoy these breathtaking panoramas during our excursion and visit some of the region’s most picturesque villages:

We start in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park for a visit to the delightful Scottish village of Braemar. This lovely village is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens and pine forests, while the centre features an array of boutique shops, medieval ruins and castles.

We continue on to Crathie, which sits on the banks of the River Dee and is set against the mountainous backdrop of Lochnagar. The village is famous for its granite kirk which was built in 1895 and is the Royals' local church when staying at Balmoral.

Our final stop is the village of Ballater, which sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, known for its spring water and is the nearest community to Balmoral Castle. Take a stroll to admire the historic buildings, browse the Ballater Gallery or visit the Royal Station to discover the restored royal waiting room, which re-opened in August 2018, after a devastating fire.

Today we travel to Stonehaven, a picturesque harbour town on the North East coast of Scotland. Here we can discover the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum, stroll along the sheltered harbour to enjoy the fresh sea air or simply sit back and relax in one of the lovely cafés or restaurants.

Next, we return to Aberdeen for some free time in the ‘Granite City’. Described as "one of the most architecturally distinctive cities in Europe" thanks to its sparkling Granite buildings and monuments.

There’s plenty to discover, from Old Aberdeen, with its cobbled streets and 15th-century cathedral, to the quirky fishing quarter of Footdee at the water’s edge, and the many shops dotted along the mile-long Union Street.

On our optional excursion, we take in the sandy bays, rugged cliffs, quaint seaside towns and historic fishing villages that make up Scotland’s Banffshire Coast. Located on the stunning Banff Bay, the county town of Banff is a delight to explore and has attracted visitors for centuries. The old harbour, which has been developed as a marina is well worth a visit, or head to Banff Museum to admire some of the oldest surviving silver teapots in Scotland or browse some local works on display.

We continue onto Fraserburgh, a major fishing port and a busy commercial harbour that holds the mainland British wind speed record! There’s a wide range of shops and local produce on offer here as well as an award-winning beach plus a museum which showcases the rich heritage of this Scottish fishing town.