Aberdeen Art Gallery
Schoolhill
Aberdeen
AB10 1FQ
Scotland

Tel: 01224 523 700

Aberdeen Art Gallery has been rated as one of Scotland’s top galleries and is home to an important collection of art; 20th century works by Paul Nash, Ben Nicholson and Francis Bacon joins 18th century portraits by Raeburn, Hogarth, Ramsay and Reynolds. The gallery also includes works by Monet, Pissaro, Sisley and Bonnard, and a significant collection of Scottish silver and other decorative arts. New and emerging artists also heavily feature and special exhibitions are held throughout the year.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Shiprow
Aberdeen
AB11 5BY
Scotland

Tel: 01224 337 700

Aberdeen Maritime Museum is a modern, interactive museum chronicling Aberdeen’s long and proud association with the sea, from shipbuilding, fishing and the history of the harbour to exhibitions bringing the massive North Sea oil platforms to life. The museum also features a fascinating collection of maritime models and portraits.

Balmoral Castle
Ballater
Aberdeenshire
AB35 5TB
Scotland

Tel: 01339 742 534

The Scottish home of the Royal family since 1852, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria for Prince Albert, Balmoral Castle is still used as the private residence of the Queen. Standing in its own working estate, the magnificent granite Castle, grounds and gardens are open to visitors from the beginning of April until the end of July each year.

The Castle Trail

Aberdeenshire is rich in tradition, and by following Scotland’s only Castle Trail, clearly laid out on a sign-posted tourist trail, visitors can experience a selection of eleven magnificent castles ranging from the magical Craigievar to the rugged Kildrummy Castle ruins and the grandiose Leith Hall. Other dramatic castles on the trail include Crathes, Drum, Fraser, Corgarff, Tolquohon, Fyvie, Huntly and Delgatie Castles, along with the splendid Duff House and Haddo House.

Duthie Park and Winter Garden
Polmuir Road
Aberdeen
AB11 7TH
Scotland

Tel: 01224 583 155

Set in the splendid Duthie Park, the two-acre Winter Gardens are reputed to be the largest area under glass in Europe. Flora and fauna from around the world share the magnificent glass structure with the stunning and fragrant Rose Mountain, as well as exotic fish and birds. Refreshment can be sought at the licensed restaurant and artists frequently perform during the summer.

The Malt Whisky Trail

No visit to the Highlands would be complete without sampling one of the fine malt whiskies that for centuries have made the area so famous. The Malt Whisky Trail comprises seven historic distilleries and a cooperage, each with its own individual charm and fascinating historical links, and a backdrop of breathtaking Highland scenery.

The Marischal Museum
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1YS
Scotland

Tel: 01224 274 301

Housed in the second largest granite building in the world, the Marischal Museum was founded in 1786 and has notable collections of Egyptian and Classical antiquities, non-Western ethnography, Scottish prehistory and numismatics. The museum also features regular exhibitions and evening lectures, as well as many initiatives for young archaeologists.

Provost Skene's House
Guestrow
Aberdeen
AB10 1AS
Scotland

Tel: 01224 641 086

Named after Provost George Skene, a wealthy 17th century merchant, the oldest surviving private house in Aberdeen is now an attractive museum with elegant period furnishings and a costume gallery featuring monthly exhibitions of fashion through the ages. There is also an exhibition depicting the social history of the Granite City.

Storybook Glen
Kirkton of Maryculter
South Deeside Road
Aberdeen
AB12 5FS
Scotland

Tel: 01224 732 941

Set in 28 acres of landscaped gardens in the heart of beautiful Royal Deeside, Storybook Glen is a spectacular family theme park. With over 100 life-sized nursery rhyme models, a working farm and licensed restaurant, it makes a great family day out.

The Victorian Heritage Trail

Queen Victoria made many visits to Aberdeenshire and the Victorian Heritage Trail allows visitors to experience some of the many sights she enjoyed during her visits to the area. The trail is well sign-posted with brown signs carrying her distinctive profile. The trail includes Fettercairn village and distillery, Drum Castle and Banchory village, the breathtaking views at Lumphanan, Aboyne Green where the famous Highland Games are held, the Cambus O’May suspension bridge, Ballater, the rugged beauty of Glen Muick, Crathie Kirk, and Braemar, famous for the Braemar Gathering, attended by the Royal family on the first Saturday of September each year.