Highland Castles & the Grampian Mountains

The picturesque village of Ballater sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, are area that captivated Queen Victoria due to its stunning landscape of moody mountains and shimmering rivers. Surrounded by countryside, the village is known for its spring water and is the nearest community to Balmoral Castle, which explains the many ‘By Royal Appointment’ signs that can be seen on local independent shops. Take a stroll to admire the historic buildings, browse the Ballater Gallery, which showcases Scottish artists with international reputations, or discover the painstakingly-restored royal waiting room at the Royal Station, which re-opened in August 2018 after a devastating fire in 2015.

Set against a stunning landscape of rolling hills, Crathes Castle is a unique 16^th-century castle located near the small town of Banchory. Built by the Burnetts of Leys, it remained in the family for over 350 years and is now under the care of the National Trust for Scotland. The castle offers an intricate maze of turrets, towers, oak panels and painted ceilings, as well as fine antique furniture, family portraits and the Horn of Leys, given to the Burnett family by Robert the Bruce in the 14^th century. Outside, there is a historic walled garden to explore, complete with a sculpted topiary, exotic flowers and yew hedges planted as early as 1702.There are also several waymarked trails in the surrounding woodland, where you can look out for the rich variety of wildlife including roe deer, red squirrels and woodpeckers.

The atmospheric Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress which sits on a dramatic rocky headland near the charming town of Stonehaven. Once the home of the Earls Marischal, one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the castle holds many secrets of Scotland’s past. King Donald II was killed here by invading Vikings, William Wallace once captured the castle and famously, it was at Dunnottar that a small garrison fought back against Cromwell’s army for eight months and saved the Scottish Crown Jewels from destruction. The castle also had plenty of royal visitors, including Mary Queen of Scots and James VI.

The historic halls of Fyvie castle are filled with uniquely Scottish legends. From its royal beginnings in the 13^th century the castle still strikes a dramatic and impressive figure today thanks to continued renovations to the structure over the centuries and a remodelling of the landscaped gardens in the 19^th century.

In true Scottish fashion, Fyvie castle holds many tales of supernatural happenings. From the indelible bloodstain, and the name carved by a ghost on the window ledge of the Drummond Room, to one of the three fabled ‘weeping stones’ that it’s said will curse the castle’s owners until all three are reunited, the evidence of Fyvie’s colourful and haunting history can still be seen on its grounds today.

Nestled in stunning countryside, Stonehaven is a picturesque harbour town on the North East coast of Scotland. The town is famous for its Hogmanay Fireballs Ceremony, where locals swing blazing above their heads to ward off evil spirits. During our visit you may like to discover the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum, rich in history as a former courthouse and jail, enjoy the fresh sea air with a stroll along the sheltered harbour or simply sit back and relax in one of the lovely caf s or restaurants.

Combining sandy bays, rugged cliffs, quaint seaside towns and historic fishing villages, Scotland’s Banffshire Coast is breathtakingly unspoilt and beautiful. There is also an abundance of wildlife to look out for too, including dolphins, seals and puffins.

Located on the stunning Banff Bay, the county town of Banff is a delight to explore and has attracted visitors for centuries, including Robert Burns and Lord Byron. From the former royal Banff Castle and the pre-Reformation market cross, to the fine Biggar Fountain and Georgian architecture, it’s easy to see why Banff has one of the best preserved townscapes in Scotland. 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, browse some local works on display and uncover the story of the notorious Scottish outlaw, James MacPherson. 

Fraserburgh is a major fishing port and a busy commercial harbour. It is the proud holder of the mainland British wind speed record, a whopping 144 mph! There’s a wide range of shops and plenty of delicious local produce on offer here, while the Fraserburgh Heritage Museum showcases the rich heritage of this Scottish fishing town. Or for a piece of Scottish heaven, take a stroll along Fraserburgh Beach, which holds a Green Coast Award and a Marine Conservation Society Recommendation. After our visit, enjoy the scenic drive along the coastal road back to our hotel.