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It’s land that time forgot with
picturesque fishing villages and larger fishing ports, unspoilt
beaches, daunting cliffs, wildlife, history and
whisky.
Whisky:
This area is
possibly best known for its whisky (uisghe
beatha). Here are a few local
distilleries:
The Benromach distillery is at
Forres.
Cardhu Distillery,
Knockando Tel: 01340 872555
Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery,
Mannachie Road, Forres. Tel: 01309
676548
Glen Grant Distillery is north of Rothes
Glen Moray Distillery nestles on the banks
of the River Lossie in the city of Elgin, the capital of Speyside, a
region synonymous with malt whisky. Glen Moray Single Malt Whisky
has been distilled here since 1897 by a small dedicated team of
craftsmen. In over a century of distilling at Glen Moray, much has
changed, however the ingredients, processes and skills of those
responsible for producing Glen Moray remain constant.
The Glenfiddich Distillery
is on the A941 approximately half a mile north of Dufftown
The Glenlivet Distillery,
Glenlivet 10 miles north of Tomintoul.
Tel: 01340 821720
Strathisla Distillery, home of Chivas
Regal 01542
783044 At Keith
Speyside Cooperage, Dufftown Road, Craigellachie, Aberlour
History:
Balmoral
Castle where our Royal Family spends an annual holiday.
In 2008 the grounds, gardens and exhibitions will be open on a daily
basis from Saturday 29th March until Thursday 31st July.
Opening times are from 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m., however please
note that the last recommended admission is at 4.00 p.m.
Crathes Castle -
One of the most beautiful and best preserved
castles in Scotland occupied by the Burnett's of Leys for over 350
years and set against a magnificent garden with its world-renowned
June border.
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Dunnottar Castle
Originally the home of the Earls Marischal, once one of
the most powerful families in the land, the last Earl
was convicted of treason for his part in the Jacobite
rising of 1715 and his estates, including Dunnottar
Castle, were seized by the government. William
Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose
and the future King Charles II, all graced the Castle
with their presence. |
Castle Fraser is
reminiscent of a French Chateau filled with family treasures,
furniture and interesting family portraits.
Mature woodlands with lovely walks around a tranquil flight
pond
Stunning views from the top of
the round tower with a clear aspect of Bennachie.
Remarkable for its splendid
architecture,
Huntly Castle served as a baronial residence for five
centuries. Many impressive features include a fine heraldic
sculpture and inscribed stone friezes. The earliest stronghold on
the site sheltered Robert the Bruce in the 14th century.
The great castle of
Kildrummy Castle was the stronghold of the Earls of Mar.
Although ruined it remains a fine example of a 13th century castle
with its curtain wall, four round towers, hall and chapel.
Slains Castle is located on the headland at
Cruden Bay, off the B1345. 24 miles north-east of Aberdeen, on the
A90-A975 Bram Stoker was so inspired by the Castle that it formed
the basis for his most famous novel Dracula
Tolquhon Castle
- Noted for its highly ornamented
gatehouse, Tolquhon is one of the most picturesque of the castles in
the Grampian countryside.
24km
north of Aberdeen on the A920
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Easter Aquhorthies
circle stones vary from 1.116 m to 1.77 m in height, are very broad
and massive, and are of pinkish porphyry or red jasper whereas the
flankers and recumbent are of grey and red granite respectively.
Archaeolink is a multi award winning living history park and
visitor attraction, with a central focus on education, participation
and fun.
Cullerlie Stone Circle - In a
fairly low-lying location, this circle consists of 8 rough boulders
set in a circle 10.1 m in diameter
Loanhead of Daviot A large stone circle located at the edge
of a broad shelf above a slope. The 10
stones and recumbent are set in a circle 19.5 m in diameter: the
area had been levelled before the stones were erected.
Information on
local Henges like Quarry
Wood, Standing Stones such as Camus's
Stone, Cairns such as Bucharn,
Clava Cairn like Marionburgh,
Hill forts such as Dunnideer,
Soutterain such as Culsh Souterrain
can be found on these useful
archaeology pages
Ancient Sites in Scotland
Aberdeen art galleries and museum
Provost Skene's House
This elegant 16th century town
house now contains an attractive series of period room settings,
recalling the graceful furnishings of earlier times.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Situated on the historic Shiprow
and incorporating Provost Ross's House - built in 1593 - Aberdeen
Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with
the Sea. This award-winning museum houses a unique collection
covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history.
The Tolbooth
The Tolbooth is one of the
oldest buildings in Aberdeen and one of the best preserved 17th
century Scottish gaols. Built between 1616 and 1629 the Wardhouse,
now known as The Tolbooth, was a gaol for those awaiting either
trial in the adjacent court or punishment.
 Glover House,
79 Balgownie Road, Bridge of Don Aberdeen AB22 8JS
This Victorian House is the
family home of Thomas Blake Glover (1838-1911), whose family lived
at Bridge of Don from 1849, moving to this house in 1864.
Thomas Blake
Glover is today revered in Japan as being one of the founders of
modern Japan. He had a crucial role in the industrialisation of
Japan and in the introduction of Western developments in
manufacturing, while helping to overthrow the Shogun and restoring
the rightful heir to the Imperial Throne of Japan. His personal life
may also have provided the basis for the Madam Butterfly story,
immortalised in the opera by Puccini
Wildlife:
Findhorn Bay is a local
nature reserve designated by the Moray Council in 1949.The land is
leased by the council but remains in private ownership. .. The main
area of interest is bird life. Tides will determine access on foot.
There is yachting in the summer and wildfowling occurs in winter.
Bird numbers are greatest in winter months although significant
migrating influence takes place in spring and autumn.
The spectacular cliffs of
Fowlsheugh (RSPB) reserve are
packed with 130,000 breeding seabirds in the spring and summer.
Guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes breed in large numbers, with
smaller numbers of fulmars, herring gulls, puffins and shags.
Loch Strathbeg
RSPB This internationally important
wetland encompasses a range of habitats, including Britain's largest
dune loch and its adjacent wetland habitats, superb coastal sand
dunes, wet and dry grassland and woodland (both deciduous and
conifer plantation).
Troup Head
(RSPB) is Scotland's only mainland gannet
colony and features dramatic, expansive panoramic views along the
Moray Firth and beyond. The reserve comprises a coastal strip
approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) in length, impressive sea cliffs,
steep vegetated slopes and rocky beaches.
The
Waters of Philorth (SNH) is a
small scale estuarine environment which includes a small area of
salt marsh and a sand spit. The dunes at Philorth are the youngest
of the Fraserburgh system developing on the site in the 1930s and
continuing to develop eastwards. The sand dune system holds a lot of
vegetation, a saltmarsh section and reed beds which attract a
variety of waders, wildfowl and seabirds. The reed beds are
important breeding sites providing both shelter and food for the
migrating birds. Behind the dune ridge is the more sheltered dune
area with increasing diversity of flowering species of plants which
attract butterflies such as the Small Cooper and Small Heath. Waters
of Philorth is fished using permits
Aberdeen Fun Beach has a permanent fun fair,
indoor sports including swimming pool and a cinema
Stratosphere. Interactive
science centre with more than 70 exhibits covering all aspects of
science and technology. 19 Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen. 01224 213232
Aboyne Games
Braemar
is a pretty village in Upper Deeside and famous for the Braemar
Gathering, held on the first Saturday of September each year.
Members of the Royal Family are usually in attendance.
Buckie - a busy harbour with a fishing fleet,
fish market and boatbuilding. Nearby are historic Tynet Chapel and
St. Gregory's Church.
Buckie and
District Fishing Heritage Centre Ltd
Fraserburgh Heritage Centre
Baxters Highland
Village. Quality Scottish food dating back to 1868. Visitor
Centre with factory tour, cookery demonstrations, sold shop museum,
food and craft shops. Tel: 01343 820666.
Scotland's
Lighthouse Museum. Adjacent to a former castle which became the
first lighthouse built by the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1787.
Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. 01346 511022 |
