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Around Aberdeen Accommodation

Pretty Beach Bays at Stonehaven, South of Aberdeen

Dunnottar Castle Magic, just south of Stonehaven

Drum Castle off the A93 to Banchory

Banchory High Street

Dunnottar Castle, One of Scotland's Most Impressive Ruined Castles

Coastal Views around Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven

The Stonehaven Coast, War Memorial on Black Hill to the rear

Heading towards Ballater from Banchory. The stunning A93 Drive!

Around Aberdeen, Stonehaven, Dunnottar Castle, Banchory, Aboyne, Alford

Around Aberdeen are a number of Aberdeenshire's top attractions, including one of Scotland's most striking castles - Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven. Stonehaven itself is a stunning Aberdeenshire coastal town, with fine beach bays and a selection of attractions and facilities, including a Tolbooth Museum. Nearby Alford plays host to the Grampian Transport Museum.

As you push west from Aberdeen into Royal Deeside along the A93, you'll see signs for a couple of castles well worth a look - Drum Castle and Crathes Castle, with Jacobite links. The first main town along the A93 is Banchory. Attractive with a main high street crammed with arts and crafts and food shops, Banchory is a popular stop off point.

Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven

Spectacular Dunnottar Castle, just to the south of Stonehaven on the dramatic rocky coastline here is one of Scotland's most impressive castles. Castles don't come much more impregnable than Dunnottar, perched as it is out to sea on a rocky headland.

Dunnottar Castle has some prestigious guests in its day, including William Wallace, Charles II and Mary Queen of Scots. Dunnottar's most famous event however is the small garrison that held up here against Cromwell for 8 months, saving both the Scottish Crown jews and Honours of Scotland to boot. Covenanters (those who refused to acknowledge the supremecy of the king) were impressed here at Dunnottar Castle in the 'Whigs Vault in grusome conditions in 1685. This Scottish Castle south of Aberdeen is both dramatic and an important site within Scottish History.

Allow around 2 hours for your visit, and see the Dunnottar Castle website right for opening times. Generally open daily from 9am to 6pm, and children go free!

Dunnottar Castle, Estates Office, Dunecht, Westhill, Aberdeenshire AB32 7AW. Tel. 01330 860223. Tel. 01569 762173 (Kiosk).

Stonehaven Aberdeenshire Tourist Guide

Stonehaven sits just 15 miles south of Aberdeen on the stuning Mearns dramatic coastline. The Mearns is an area of outstanding natural beauty stretching from Porthlethen North to Montrose South, and inland west to Auchenblae and the Cairn o' Mount hills.

The Stonehaven Coastline, incorporatin Dunnottar Castle, is one of Scotland's most dramatic stretches of coast. You can walk the coastal trail from St Cyrus south through Stonehaven and Aberdeen, up to Kinnaird Head and Findhorn. Sunsets around Dunnottar Castle and the Stonehaven coast are not to be missed!

Catering well for visitors, and serving as the main coastal town in the Mearns, Stonehaven offers a choice of accommodation and a selection of attractions. Stonehaven bay is pretty indeed, and low key beach amusements line some of the coast.

Attractions in Stonehaven include its pretty harbour, an open air art deco swimming pool and a Tolbooth Museum focusing on the area's local history. For full visitor attraction listings checkout the Stonehaven web guide linked right.

Banchory, Royal Deeside

Banchory's main High Street is a bustling place, lined with some fine food, arts and crafts shops, many of which serve Balmoral by appointment!

The town is the largest in the area, situated just 20 miles to the west of Aberdeen on-route to Ballater, Balmoral and Braemar into the heart of Royal Deeside and the Grampian Mountains.

Before you reach Banchory on the A93 you'll see signs for two historic Scottish Castles. The first is Drum Castle, with it's 13th century tower, the oldest and totally intact in Scotland. Home to the Irvine family for centuries, drum castle dates from 1323 and is surrounded by ancient woodland, used as a Royal Hunting ground in Deeside at one time. Drum Castle's gardens with roses are a particular hightlight. The castle is run by the National Trust for Scotland (see weblink right for details). The world renowned June Border and gardens at Crathes Castle just before you reach Banchory are well worth a visit. (see National Trust for Scotland weblink right for opening times). Banchory is a popular base for walkers, you've easy access into the Cairngorms National Park from here and you're close to Aberdeen and Aberdeen Airport. With a choice of specialist shops, coffee shops and tearooms, and an excellent choice of local walks and outdoor activities (see the Banchory Community web guide right for listings), Banchory has much to offer!

Banchory Tourist Information Centre, Bridge Street, Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31 5SX. Tel. 01330 822000.

The Grampian Transport Museum Alford Aberdeenshire

Other top spots around Aberdeen include Alford, also to the west (25 miles) along the A944. Here in beautifully rural Alford is the Grampian Transport Museum which holds regular transport themed events throughout the year. Events include Classic Car shows, the Military Vehicle Tattoo, The Grampian Motorcycle Convention and Alford Autojumble in September.

This transport museum takes you on a detailed journey via working exhibits, DVD presentations and displays through the history of transport in the North East of Scotland. Fire Engines, trams, and even a hisotirc 1895 steam powered tricycle are here at the Grampian Transport Museum.

Vintage car lovers will be in their element. View an Albion A6 Limousine dating from 1909 and a Daimler TP35 Tourer dating from 1905 here. A museum shop, cafe and ample parking are all on-site. Open 7 days a week from April to October from 10am to 5pm (Oct until 4pm). See the Grampian Transport Museum's website right for more details on the collections held here.

The Grampian Transport Museum, Alford, Aberdeenshire AB33 8AE. Tel. 019755 62292.

Banchory Fishing Scotland, Heughead Fishings

Excellent Brown Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon fishing is available at Banchory.

Contact Heughhead Fishing,s Ghillie Ian Ferguson on 01330 860751.

Heughhead Fishings, Strachan, Banchory, Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.

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