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North East Accommodation

Aberdeen, Granite City. Marischal College

Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven, south of Aberdeen

River Dee at Ballater, Royal Deeside

Carnoustie Golf Links, host to the Open Championships

Beautiful Blue Flag Montrose Beach, Angus Coast

Discovery Point, Captain Scott of the Antarctic Exhibition, Dundee Waterfront

The History of Jute Production at Verdant Works, Dundee

Stunning Arbroath Harbour, Angus Coast

Tourist Information North East Scotland Aberdeen Angus Dundee Moray

Aberdeen and Dundee are two of Scotland's most appealing cities. Compact, friendly and with a host of attractions granite city Aberdeen is a centre for Scottish Art at the Aberdeen Art Gallery. For Scottish Maritime History Aberdeen's Maritime Museum opposite the harbour digs deep into the heritage of fishing, shipbuilding and more recently life off-shore in the oil industry. Dundee has two 5 star graded attractions - Verdant Jute Works and Discovery Point on the Firth of Tay waterfront. Dundee is also developing an international reputation for contemporary art, revolving around the superb Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre (DCA). Pushing west of Aberdeen into Royal Deeside, Ballater, Balmoral and Braemar await, as does the sublime scenery of the Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park. Aberdeen Airport makes access into the Cairngorms and Aberdeen easy for international visitors. South of Aberdeen on the Angus Coast don't miss one of Scotland's most striking castles - Dunnottar. Push further down to Montrose's Blue Flag Beach and Arbroath's stunning Harbour. Move inland to some of Scotland's best hillwalking territory around the Angus Glens, making Kirriemuir (the Gateway to the Glens) your base. Last but hardly least, as you push down the Angus coast you're in Carnoustie Country and the Angus Golf Coast. Open Championships - Carnoustie has hosted quite a few on its three superb links golf courses.

Moving towards the North Aberdeen coast, inland Huntly is a centre for Scottish Tartan, with a historic castle and easy access to the Speyside Whisky Tours. Enjoy a host of pretty sandy beaches and seaside resorts along the Moray coast. Elgin's grand town centre is a popular shopping spot. Push further east along the coast to historic Banff, a centre for golf and home to popular historic home attraction Duff House. Further East at Fraserburgh, site of the first ever Scottish Lighthouse, visit the Scottish Lighthouse museum here. Move round the head south to Peterhead for more maritime heritage at the Maritime centre. South at Cruden Bay sit the ruins of Slains Castle on the cliff edge. Stains was inspiration for Bram Stoker and Dracula's home.

The Moray Coast

The coastline bordering the Moray Firth has a string of sandy beaches that have been popular seaside resorts for some time with plenty of B&B and hotel accommodation as well as caravan parks. The main towns along the Moray Firth coast are Forres, Lossiemouth, Buckie, Cullen as well as Nairn and Elgin slightly further inland. These are generally smaller towns but with services, tourist attractions and museums of their own that are well worth a visit. Accommodation in these towns give you a good base for exploring the distilleries, museums and historic sights of the region.

These days the Moray Coast is most famous for its resident populations of bottle-nosed dolphins which you can see by taking a boat trip from one of the nearby towns. From land Fort George, Nairn, Lossiemouth, Spey Bay and Cullen are good places where you might catch a glimpse of some of the dolphins. Alternatively boat trips running from all around the Moray Firth and Black Isle are the most experienced at finding dolphins, whales, seals and birdlife.

Elgin, Moray

Elgin is the main commercial and shopping centre for the Moray area. Its grand town centre has a range of historic buildings from its fantastic ruined cathedral to the more austere 19th century buildings in the centre of the town.

It's a great place for shopaholics with the full range of high street stores and contemporary cafes. All around the town are malt whisky distilleries, some of which offer tours.

Huntly

Situated in the heart of scenic Strathbogie, Huntly is a popular base midway between Aberdeen and Elgin for Speyside whisky tours and winter skiing. Many stay in the choice of luxurious hotels and B&Bs here and branch out to explore the many whisky distilleries in the area, of which the nearest is Glendronach. Nicknamed the 'Cock o' the North', Huntly is the former seat of the Gordon family. Today it's a prestigious Scottish centre for quality handmade tartan goods and tartan material, revolving around the Scots Connection Tartan Centre.

As well as easy access to a host of outdoor pursuits including horse riding, local golf, walking and winter skiing, Huntly has a number of historic buildings and attractions. These include the dramatic remains of Huntly Castle, nearby Leith Hall run by the National Trust for Scotland and within the town itself the medieval church of St Mary's at Auchindoir.

North Aberdeen Coast - Banff, Fraserburgh & Peterhead

As you move west along the North Aberdeen coast a selection of scenic coastal towns, historic attractions, and maritime heritage awaits. Banff is a centre for golf, with renowned historic house Duff House offering a superb collection of portraits in conjunction with the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Nearby coastal villages Portsoy and Macduff offer scenic coastal walking and more attractions.

Push further east towards Kinnairds Head and Fraserburgh, the site of the Scottish Lighthouse Museum. Scotland's first Lighthouse was built here on Kinnairds Head. Pushing round Rattray Head to Peterhead, more maritime history in the area, including whaling and fishing history, is explored in the Peterhead Maritime Centre.

Aberdeen & Around Aberdeen

Aberdeen is one of Scotland's great cities. With a youthful, buzzing vibe and its unique granite architecture, Aberdeen is a centre for Scottish Art and Maritime History.

The main Union Street is Aberdeen's hub, with most shops here. Walk down Belmont Street off Union Bridge to discover some great cosy bars and specialist shops! There's no end to Aberdeen's architectural marvels, some of which like Provost Skene's House date from the medieval period.

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. 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.

Ballater, Balmoral, Braemar & Royal Deeside

Ballater is beautifully set in the heart of Deeside, with local fishing on the River Dee, walking and a number of attractions within the town all on the menu. The central attraction within Ballater is the recently restored Old Royal Station. Queen Victoria arrived here frequently on her way to Balmoral, and the museum inside the station contains exhbits on Victoria's visits and a reconstructed waiting room. Ballater Tourist Information Centre is also situated here in the station.

Push right to the end of the A93 (a gloriously stunning drive between Ballater and Breaemar), you'll arrive in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Braemar is a popular base for walkers and cyclists looking to enjoy the extensive cycling and walking trails into the Cairngorms from the Linn of Dee, just west of Braemar. Braemar itself is small and friendly, with a fine selection of restaurants and budget best fish and chip shops. Arts and crafts shops and coffee and tearooms cram into the town, which also has a superb selection of quality B&B's with some of the best views in Scotland.

Balmoral Castle and Estate, still an annual holiday base for the Royals during July and August, sits mid-way between Ballater and Braemar.

Angus & the Angus Coast, Carnoustie Championship Golf Courses

When you think of the Angus coast, you might think Carnoustie golf, Arbroath smokies and more golf at the Montrose Links. Scottish golf is here aplenty, but what you might not know is that some of Scotland's prettiest beaches line the Angus coast at Montrose (Blue Flag beach) and Carnoustie, and Arbroath's historic picturesque harbour complex is not to be missed. Look for William Lamb's sculptures around Montrose and tour Arbroath's red stone abbey ruins. Birdwatchers will be in their element at the Montrose Basin, a haven for birds in the heart of Angus.

Pushing into the heart of Angus, the five Angus Glens, part of the Grampians, offer some of Scotland's best hillwalking territory. Kirriemuir, the gateway to the Angus Glens with visitor centre, is a popular base for visitors wanting to explore the Glens just to the north of the town. Forfar too makes a superb base for accessing both the Glens and the Angus Coast at Montrose, with nearby Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen Mother, being one of Scotland's most popular castles.

Carnoustie golf links (three superb golf courses including the famous and challenging finisher - the Championship course) has played host to both the British and Scottish Open Championships numerous times. Alongside all things Scotland Golf, Carnoustie also has a stunning beach area, with promenade and coastal walking, sailing and fishing all on the menu!

Dundee & Broughty Ferry

Dundee on the Firth of Tay offers a superb selection of attractions relating to its industrial history around the production of Jute, developments along the Dundee Waterfront revolving around Scott's ship Discovery at Discovery Point and in contemporary arts with a focus at the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre (DCA).

Dundee has a city feel but it's compact, friendly and easily got to grips with orientation wise. Dundee centre is excellent for shopping and mostly pedestrianised with a rep theatre, a choice of restaurants, pubs and historic architecture galore. Alongside contemporary art and cinema at the DCA, the Mcmanus Museum & Galleries (currently undergoing extensive restoration 2007) are set to be another string to Dundee's fine attractions choice when it reopens shortly. The Verdant Works, once a bustling jute factory in Dundee, is where to head to discover Dundee's important links with Jute. Verdant Works attraction has won European Industrial Museum of the Year and 5 stars from the Scottish Tourist Board. Both awards are more than deserved! Crammed with photography and oral history accounts, here is the history of Scotland that often gets forgotten behind the glamour of Robert Bruce, Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots and Royals spotting at Balmoral.

Just to the east of Dundee (4 miles) on the waterfront of the Firth of Tay sits delightful Broughty Ferry. With a distinctly village feel, and fine views across to Dundee, The pretty promenade front, choice of pubs, fine cafes and craft shops here at Broughty Ferry makes it a popular location.

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