Key towns in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is on the North-East coast of Scotland and is sometimes known as the Silver City with the Golden Sands; much of Aberdeen’s architecture is built with the local grey, sparkly, granite and the city has long, sandy coastline. The City of Aberdeen is the region’s economic, retail and educational hub with the thriving oil industry, numerous big name shops and two Universities. It has won the Britain in Bloom competition an astounding 10 times, reflecting the stunning scenic landscape surrounding the city; the Bennachie hill walks are long, well-marked paths with breath-taking scenery.

The Granite Park restaurant is described as a hidden gem, holding its own in a city that is inundated with fine independent eateries. To the north of the bustling city is the beautiful and peaceful Balmedie beach, very popular with the locals for walking, horse-riding and enjoying the abundant wildlife and fantastic views.

Aboyne

Aboyne sits on the river Dee, 30 miles west of Aberdeen and just 4 miles from the Cairngorms National Park. The village was modelled by the Marquess of Huntly on an English village with a green at its centre. Sitting in remarkably beautiful and unspoilt countryside, in terrain which lends itself extremely well to gliding, the sport has become very popular in the area. The summer residence of the Royal Family, Balmoral Castle, is set in 49,000 acres of rugged Scottish landscape, is nearby. Tourists flock to the village in the summer months; during the August highland games, its population doubles.

The nearby White Cottage restaurant is, as its name suggests, a typical local cottage, with a room for displaying antiques and is a hit with tourists and locals alike.

Banchory

Banchory is a popular commuter town, 18 miles west of Aberdeen, where the Feugh River meets the River Dee. The area is perfect for outdoor and wildlife lovers. The Falls of Feugh attract visitors hoping to see salmon leaping the falls. Fishing opportunities are extensive with a number of local trout fisheries in addition to the world famous River Dee. There are 3 golf courses in the town and a further 6 within half an hour’s drive. The surrounding countryside offers limitless possibilities for exploring and can be viewed in breath-taking panorama from Scolty Tower.

A town with a fascinating history, Banchory has two famous castles; Crathes and Drum, both now run by the National Trust for Scotland. As well as the castles, there is a lot to do in Banchory, including riding the steam train on the Royal Deeside Railway, the annual Banchory show and Banchory museum, which celebrates the traditional culture of the Dee Valley and has resident genealogy experts. Woodend barn, on the edge of Banchory, hosts a diverse arts programme as well as serving food made from locally sourced ingredients.

Huntly

The town of Huntly lies on the main road between Aberdeen and Inverness. Huntly is a granite town centered on the main square with shops, restaurants and hotel, interesting historic buildings including the Victorian Town Hall, church, and the Clock Tower dating from1890. Huntly Castle is one of three castles nearby and, although ruined, has been restored so visitors can envisage its former glory. The Castle Hotel, partly built with stones from the ruins of Huntly Castle, gets fabulous reviews for its luxury cuisine and accommodation.

Another ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts, Huntly offers salmon and trout fishing on the rivers of Deveron and Bogie and the Highland Horseback, which starts nearby, runs the 200 miles to the west coast. A local independent bakers – Deans – are well reputed locally for their ‘melt in the mouth’ shortbread biscuits and also have a popular café and visitor centre.

Inverurie

Inverurie is a Royal Burgh and a thriving market town located 20 minutes north west of Aberdeen, in the valley of the river Don. The town has a bustling, triangular centre with an impressive and unusually large number of independent stores to complement the big name retailers. The town is also home to a good range of eateries with Fennel serving well-received simple but tasty dishes made from local produce and the Porterhouse Restaurant, located in a traditional stone building next door to the Thainstone cattle mart, also serving good local food.

Nearby Castle Fraser which dates from 1575 is a grand tower house, managed by the National Trust for Scotland. The house is open to the public during spring and summer and the particularly popular gardens and woodland walks, are open all year round.

Stonehaven

Stonehaven, known locally as Stoney, is a former fishing village 15 miles south of Aberdeen. The town has a long beach with large cliffs at either end, home to Fowlsheugh, an RSPB seabird colony. Stonehaven has a vast amount of cultural attractions throughout the year; highland games every July, the fireballs ceremony, which forms part of the Hogmanay festivities, and the RW Thomson Classic Car Rally, which celebrates its namesake, the native inventor of the pneumatic tyre, are just a selection. Furthermore, the town has a monthly farmers market, the award-winning Carron fish and chip shop and a museum of local heritage.

Dunnottar Castle, a ruined cliff top medieval fortress, can be approached via a beautiful costal path from Stonehaven Harbour and its fascinating history can be explored and the stunning surrounding scenery enjoyed.