Aberdeen Tall Ships, Balmoral & The NE250 Explorer

Aberdeen Tall Ships, Balmoral & The NE250 Explorer

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Aberdeen Tall Ships, Balmoral & The NE250 Explorer

5 Days Starting and ending in Scotland

Visiting: Balmoral, Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, Macduff, Banff

Tour operator:

Just Go Holidays

Tour code:

10233

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Low

Activities:

Sightseeing

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating journey with the "Aberdeen Tall Ships, Balmoral & The NE250 Explorer" tour. Enjoy a comfortable stay at the Waterside Hotel in Peterhead, nestled in scenic gardens by the River Ugie. This 4-night adventure includes return coach travel and daily meals. Experience the grandeur of Balmoral Castle, a royal retreat in the Scottish Highlands, and witness the majestic Tall Ships Race in Aberdeen, a spectacle returning to the city after decades. Travel the picturesque NE250 route, exploring charming coastal towns like Macduff and Banff, each rich in history and natural beauty. This tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and breathtaking landscapes, ensuring a memorable Scottish escape.

Highlights

  • Excursion to Aberdeen to see the Tall Ships Race

  • Visit to Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands

  • East Coast Route NE250 Road trip, including Macduff and Banff

  • Scenic journey to Fraserburgh along the NE250 route

  • Explore the picturesque fishing town of Macduff

  • Discover the historic town of Banff and its former royal castle

Places You'll See

Aberdeen

Aberdeen

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

From a morning pickup in your local area we travel by coach to our hotel. Later we check into our hotel, where we enjoy dinner and our first night.

Day 2 : Balmoral

Location: Balmoral

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we travel to Balmoral, a private residence of the Royal Family, nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The castle's history is rich with tradition and its grounds boast beautiful gardens and expansive landscapes, offering a serene retreat away from the public eye. A visit to Balmoral Castle is a chance to experience the opulence and tranquillity that has appealed to British royalty for generations, particularly for their summer holidays. Afterwards, we return to our hotel to enjoy an evening meal.

Day 3 : Aberdeen Tall Ships

Aberdeen

Location: Aberdeen

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we travel via the iconic NE250 route to Aberdeen for the highlight of our break, the Tall Ships event. Watch in awe as these impressive ships descend on the Granite City, back in Aberdeen for the first time since 1997. Look out for iconic vessels and enjoy the entertainment on offer as Aberdeen celebrates this inspirational international event. Afterwards, we return to our hotel to enjoy an evening meal.

Day 4 : Fraserburgh, Macduff & Banff

Aberdeen

Location: Aberdeen, Fraserburgh, Macduff, Banff

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we take a scenic journey on the East Coast route, known as the NE250 route, heading north from Aberdeen. The route takes us up the East Coast to Fraserburgh, stopping at two coastal towns along the way. Macduff is a picturesque fishing town, nestled on the Moray Firth coast and offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty. From the bustling harbour, where boats bring in the fresh catch of the day, to the tranquil streets lined with quaint cottages, Macduff is full of charm and character. Across a pretty seven-arch bridge is our next stop, Banff, home to the former royal Banff Castle. The historic town is known for its fishing trade but was also once a trade centre for weavers, soap makers and silver makers. Notable points of interest are the Banff Museum on the high street where you can learn about the notorious Scottish outlaw James MacPherson and how he met his demise.

Day 5 : Return Home

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we check out and board the coach for the journey home.

What's Included

  • Return Coach Travel

    The tour includes return coach travel from your local area to the hotel and back.

  • Excursion to Aberdeen

    The tour includes an excursion to Aberdeen to see the Tall Ships Race.

  • East Coast Route NE250 Road Trip

    The tour includes a scenic journey on the East Coast route, known as the NE250 route, visiting Fraserburgh, Macduff, and Banff.

show more

What's Not Included

  • Personal Expenses

    Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, or drinks are not included in the tour.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and should be arranged separately by the traveler.

Accommodation

The Waterside Hotel in Peterhead, Scotland, offers a serene stay with landscaped gardens by the River Ugie. Enjoy en-suite rooms with TVs, an indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room, gym, restaurant, and bar. Meals are buffet style, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing experience.

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with return coach travel included. The journey begins with a morning pickup from your local area, taking you to the hotel and various excursions, including the iconic NE250 route to Aberdeen and scenic journeys along the East Coast route.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes accommodation at the Waterside Hotel in Peterhead, Scotland. The hotel is set in landscaped gardens on the banks of the River Ugie and offers amenities such as an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, restaurant, bar, and en-suite rooms with a TV. All meals are buffet style.

  • What can I expect to see at Balmoral Castle?

    At Balmoral Castle, you can expect to experience the opulence and tranquillity that has appealed to British royalty for generations. The castle is a private residence of the Royal Family, located in the Scottish Highlands, and features beautiful gardens and expansive landscapes.

  • What is the highlight of the Aberdeen visit during the tour?

    The highlight of the Aberdeen visit is the Tall Ships event, where you can watch impressive ships descend on the Granite City. This event is a significant international celebration, and it is the first time the Tall Ships have returned to Aberdeen since 1997.

  • What are some points of interest in Banff?

    In Banff, you can visit the former royal Banff Castle and the Banff Museum on the high street, where you can learn about the notorious Scottish outlaw James MacPherson. The town is known for its fishing trade and historical significance as a trade center for weavers, soap makers, and silver makers.

  • What is the NE250 route mentioned in the tour?

    The NE250 route is a scenic journey on the East Coast of Scotland, heading north from Aberdeen. It includes stops at coastal towns such as Fraserburgh, Macduff, and Banff, offering a blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Reviews of this operator

Tracie Chana (Google Reviewer)  

My trip to Scarborough and...

02-Dec-2023

My trip to Scarborough and Witney.was fantastic .food at the grand hotel was buffet style.so you could help yourself.i went Monday to Friday from 20 November 2023

rochelle pitt (Google Reviewer)  

Just had a Cornwall short...

25-Feb-2025

Just had a Cornwall short break. Steve our driver was kind and courteous. The pentire hotel was a wonderful stay. I would definitely do it again.

Christine Frodsham (Google Reviewer)  

Just come back from Liverpool,...

09-Mar-2024

Just come back from Liverpool, our driver, Gareth, was lovely, he looked after us, was an excellent driver and nothing was a bother. The coach was very clean and comfortable. My first time with the company and would recommend. Have requested brochures for next trip.

Patricia Stockton (Google Reviewer)  

Just returned from a 5day...

31-May-2024

Just returned from a 5day break to Weson super Mare, Bath & surrounding area, with my partner. The driver Martin was very professional, and a credit to your company. The hotel was a bit dated but could be overlooked by the quality of the home made food, it was fantastic & enough for the best of appetites. The staff & entertainment were also amazing. An excellent fun filled break.

Helen Stephens (Google Reviewer)  

Just came back from Benidorm,...

31-Mar-2025

Just came back from Benidorm, didn't know what to expect but we were very impressed with how well organised everything was. We had a long journey from Cornwall and the two feeder drivers were really nice and on time. Had a wonderful tour driver, Corey who was brilliant and really looked after everyone. The hotel was really good, spotless and the staff were nice. Only niggle was there wasn't much entertainment in hotel and food could have been a bit hotter.

Catherine Dibble (Google Reviewer)  

Harrogate trip was fantastic. Beautiful...

15-Oct-2024

Harrogate trip was fantastic. Beautiful hotel food excellent.Carl our driver great... On to Knarsbough visit a lovely Old Mansion House loads of History.. finished with a Cream Tea... Great Value .

David Metcalf (Google Reviewer)  

Returned on Friday evening from...

27-Oct-2024

Returned on Friday evening from Scotland's Beautiful Banffshire. Good holiday, great value for money, but marred by some issues. 5-25am pick up from Chester, then huge detour to Preston because the feeder coach driver didn't know the route! 3 hours late leaving Preston, didn't arrive at hotel in Peterhead until 19-35. Straight in for our evening meal. Hotel very good, helpful and friendly, but too cramped at long tables for meals. Food always hot and tasty, rooms clean, comfy and warm. Bit of a hike to reach our lodge. Enjoyable excursions with our driver Martin, but unaware that onboard toilet only to be used when stationary. What's the point of having the toilet? Made some journeys very uncomfortable. Would think twice about booking again.

Zena Lampert (Google Reviewer)  

I am very disappointed with...

14-Feb-2024

I am very disappointed with my coach trip I paid £70 supplement for being single and I paid for a sea view when I arrived the room was small the bed was dirty the Seaview was a small square window and the view was a roof I asked to be changed was given a twin room with a seaview which was ok. The room was very dated the toilet flush didn’t flush there was enough Pugh milk to make one cup of tea and the sugar sachets had been there so long the sugar had gone hard. The dinner food was stone cold the salad lettuce was limp to say the least the food was atrocious so I decided to dine out. The breakfast I found eggs and toast which was edible. I have no idea why I paid an extra £70 the experience was awful. I will never go on another coach tour with just go holidays as they clearly do not checkout the hotels they allocate. Shame on you just go holidays I was appalled

Linda McDonnell (Google Reviewer)  

Booked for Bath Christmas market...

06-Dec-2024

Booked for Bath Christmas market for Sat 7th Dec, the trip is unbelievably going ahead although close to a red weather warning, I phoned to confirm if trip going ahead, the staff lied to me and told me the venue had confirmed the market was on but when I checked on their website it has been cancelled because of safety concerns.......Of course it has been cancelled!! I called back to be told that although the market wasn't running the shops should be open.......Why would anyone want to sit on a coach all day to go to another shopping centre....unbelievable. They are so tight, just cancel the trip and pay people back.....The trip is just for Bath Christmas Market and it isn't on, you cannot justify running the trip, it is stupid and dangerous and you deserve to lose many customers, I hope you do. Do not give them a penny or your money they don't deserve it. IMPORTANT: We take the safety of the public, stall holders and our staff seriously with this in mind and the Met Office forecast of winds exceeding 70mph from Storm Darragh we have taken the decision not to open Bath Christmas Market tomorrow, Saturday 7 December. This is to avoid any potential damage to people and property from the temporary market infrastructure. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes but safety as to be our first priority – we look forward to seeing everyone back when we reopen. Please check here and on our social media for updates.

Pauline Nestor (Google Reviewer)  

We have recently come back...

02-Feb-2024

We have recently come back from a short stay at warners nornton grange isle of white which was booked through just go holidays. After quite a long conversation with a very rude customer service chap called Simon at just go holidays who more or less told me that I shouldn’t complain about anything as we booked in January and what do you expect to get and if you don’t make sure that what you should have in your room is there and don’t tell the reception don’t complain about it. I’m very upset and feel that Simon thought that I was not worth talking to. On the whole don’t bother to pay extra for an upgraded room because others that didn’t pay will get the same room with the same two bottles of water two packs of crisps two packs of biscuits and two soft drinks without paying an extra £70 and if you don’t get what you think you should get please do not bother to ring customer service they are not interested in helping you

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Just Go Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of just go holidays charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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