Top Things to do in Aberdeenshire
Top Hotels in Aberdeenshire
- 1. Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport, an IHG Hotel
- 2. Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel
- 3. Premier Inn Aberdeen City Centre hotel
- 4. Malmaison Aberdeen
- 5. Travelodge Aberdeen Central
- 6. Ibis Aberdeen Centre
- 7. Bogenraith House
- 8. Jurys Inn Aberdeen
- 9. Premier Inn Aberdeen Airport (Dyce) hotel
- 10. Atholl Hotel
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Aberdeenshire That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom including Forvie National Nature Reserve, Loch Muick, Knockdhu Distillery, Fyvie Castle, Slains Castle, Balmedie Beach, Brig 'o' Balgownie, Bullers of Buchan, Footdee (Fittie), The Gordon Highlanders Museum.
Restaurants in Aberdeenshire
1. Forvie National Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By 581leew
Forvie is an amazing nature reserve with a huge variety of wildlife and habitats. One of the main attractions is the Seal haul-out which can be found at the end of the reserve. The beach the seals are on is designated by Marine Scotland making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly harass them. That is why the reserve requests they are view from the other side of the river on Newburgh beach where the won't be disturbed. Repeated disturbance by visitors on Forvie has a serious impact of Seals ability to rest, moult and breed on the reserve. This is why they are legally protected from being prevented from doing it. Ythan Seal Watch is an online group based on Newburgh beach which monitors the Seals and visitors who disturb them. The point of the signs and mapped routes on the reserve is to protect the wildlife and habitats there. It is extremely disappointing that a small number of visitors to Forvie continue to ignore this legal advice and view the Seals from the beach they are on causing serious disturbances to the colony. That is what we now tackle disturbances in a very public way. Please always respect wildlife and follow all signs, maps and advice on the reserve. It is also extremely frustrating for other visitors enjoying the Seals from the other side of the estuary on Newburgh. There is no information on the Forvie reserve to advise visitors to view the Seals from there. Visitors have right of responsible access. Part of that is following all the information and advice in the car-park when visitors arrive at the waterside car-park.
2. Loch Muick
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 551 reviews
Reviewed By Midhill
Enjoyed the 10 mile walk on a lovely autumn day. The tree colours were beautiful and the Loch and surrounding area stunning. It’s a flat walk with a few rough paths to navigate , just the place to get away from it all.
3. Knockdhu Distillery
4. Fyvie Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
The charm of Fyvie ranges from its 13th-century origins to its stunning Edwardian interiors. The castle is home to a superb collection of arms, armour and paintings, including works by Raeburn and Gainsborough. Stroll around the picturesque loch, or visit the restored 1903 racquet court and bowling alley. Ghosts, legends and folklore are all woven into the tapestry of Fyvie Castle's 800-year history. Tradition claims that the castle's five successive families - Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Forbes-Leith - each added a tower to this magnificent Scottish Baronial fortress. You can see their influences today among the medieval stones and the lavish Edwardian interiors, and imagine what castle life must have been like for the families and their royal guests - among them Robert the Bruce, Edward I and Charles I.
Reviewed By TransilvanienB - Stromness, United Kingdom
This National Trust-owned, ancient, formerly Royal Castle is very big with a grand exterior but still retains a somewhat homely feel. It is filled with old portraits, lovely old tapestries and fine antique furniture. The rooms are all very impressive both large and small. Highlights include a hidden chamber, the scene of a murder, a clan battle, Jacobites, and ghostly writing. Several families have owned the castle and all left their fascinating history here. King Charles I lived there as a boy. The castle is in beautiful rolling green countryside and has lovely gardens. There is a cafe and a shop. The guides and staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. This castle is well worth a visit though young children may tire of it as the tour is quite long.
5. Slains Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Erected in 1597, this is one of the most famous castle ruins in Scotland, and was used by Bram Stoker as the inspiration for the castle of the evil vampire in his most famous supernatural tale "Dracula."
Reviewed By spgk - Espoo, Finland
Whilst I had seen a few photos beforehand, we were impressed with what we found - and it´s free! Getting there - I followed my sat nav using the postcode AB42 0NE, which I found online. However, this took us to a small residential road of Castle Street in Cruden Bay. There was no sign of any castle so we consulted some online maps. I parked the car in Castle Street at the junction with Castle Woods. We had a lovely walk on a farm track through some fields until we met a small road leading to the castle. It´s possible to drive right up to the castle if you take the A975 and take the turning into a small track road about 1 km from Cruden Bay. We were lucky with the weather so the ruins overlooking the sea looked amazing. We liked the fact that you could explore the ruins without fences - at your own risk. We found it a better experience than many of the overpriced tourist castles. However, the ruins sit on the clifftop and there are no safety fences. For that reason I would NOT recommend it for young children or dogs. Otherwise, well worth a visit.
6. Balmedie Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 609 reviews
A stretch of sandy beach north of the city.
Reviewed By E2338BG - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
A beautiful beach with large sand dunes and amazing views of the north sea with windfarm in the distance. Ideal for a family day out or a sunset walk with a loved one.
7. Brig 'o' Balgownie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
This historic bridge has stood since the early 14th century and once served as an important line of communication between Aberdeen and other medieval coastal towns.
8. Bullers of Buchan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
An awe-inspiring gorge that sharply drops nearly 200 feet.
Reviewed By Paradise544398
Lovely Place to visit. please be mindful of the people that live in the small hamlet. keep to the foot path. it is a dangerous cliff path. so recommended that dogs kept on a lead. Narrow Path so no social distancing. wear suitable walking shoes or boots. there are no public toilets. nearest Cruden Bay.
9. Footdee (Fittie)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,053 reviews
Reviewed By margaretmH3052CO - Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
This is like going back in time. You wouldn't think you were in Aberdeen. The houses are like little cottages, and just by the sea, and the people who live in them get a great view of Aberdeen beach and the sea, and wild Dolphins putting on a show. Very quaint homes with a lovely Nautical appeal to them. Very quiet too, but expensive to buy.
10. The Gordon Highlanders Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 708 reviews
UPDATE 18.03.2020 Coronavirus (Covid-19) In light of the ever-evolving Covid-19 situation, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close The Gordon Highlanders Museum and Duchess Jean Tea Room to the public from 4.30 today until further notice. We will review this decision on a weekly basis and post any updates on this page and to our social media channels. Thank you for your understanding in this confusing and uncertain time; we hope to welcome visitors back to the Museum soon. The Finest Regiment in the World" was how Sir Winston Churchill described The Gordon Highlanders in 1900. So why not come and see why? A wonderful day out and a fantastic welcome await you at The Gordon Highlanders Museum where we are committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of this world-famous Regiment.
Reviewed By 561ruthd - Doha, Qatar
We went on a school trip to the museum. One of the really interesting things we saw was the Silver Room and our guide told us lots of interesting information. One of our favourite bits was the Armoury; we really enjoyed seeing the guns and swords because normally we only see them in video games, not real life. The activities about WW1 were really cool - in the trench we got to spot enemy soldiers with a periscope. We learnt a lot about what life for soldiers was like in WW1 and we're not sure if we'd have managed to do it! Our guides Jim and Lewis were really helpful and very informative, they answered all our questions. Definitely a trip we'd recommend (but not for very young children, it might be a bit boring) and we'd love to go back.
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