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Tucked away in the northeast of Scotland, you will find the city of Aberdeen and the surrounding towns and villages that comprise Aberdeenshire. This is the region of trails for those who love history and the water of life, whisky!
With just over 250 castles, it is an excellent destination for ‘castle bagging’ and living like a queen in the Royal Deeside.
The East Coast is lesser-known, which means fewer tourists, it also tends to get fairer weather than the West, and there are fewer midges!
Let’s dive into the following things to do in Aberdeenshire and don’t miss our guide to the city of Aberdeen too.
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Things to Do in Aberdeenshire
The below suggestions are mapped, this means that they are organised in a logical manner that you can follow on a road trip.
1. Fettercairn Distillery
At the foot of the Cairngorms, Fettercairn is positioned well, and the distillery uses fresh local mountain water as an ingredient in its single malt whisky.
It is a small, intimate distillery, offering small groups a tour around the premises and a dram to taste after.
2. Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle
Stonehaven is a small harbour town famous for its Hogmanay fireball ceremony, fish and chips and Dunnottar Castle.
This is definitely one of the most popular northeast castles because this iconic landmark sits on a cliff over the choppy North Sea.
The best views are from the top looking down on Dunnottar, however, visitors can also pay to enter the 15th and 16th-century castle buildings.
You can also park in Stonehaven and walk up the hill to the castle for nice views overlooking the town’s harbour.
Dunnottar Castle once housed Earls Marischal, you’ll recognise the name if you spend time in Aberdeen!
3. Fife Arms Afternoon Tea
Taking a turn inland, Braemar is a cute town with leisurely walks such as the Linn of Dee circuit.
There is also a renovated 19th-century B-listed building with unique decor that serves exquisite afternoon teas, check out the Fife Arms if this sounds interesting to you!
Braemar is located in the Cairngorms National Park.
4. Braemar Castle
When we first posted an image of Braemar Castle on social media, followers pointed out that the castle looks like it is upside down!
Local volunteers are happy to guide you around the 17th-century castle, which was once owned by Clan Farquharson.
5. Balmoral
While most people know that you can visit Balmoral Castle and its gardens, very few are aware of the hidden pyramids nestled close by!
The most famous is the Prince Albert Cairn but there are 11 others that you can tour during the 2-3 hour trail.
6. Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle is a brownish-coloured castle dating back to the 16th century.
It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, featuring yew hedges that date back to 1702.
7. Drum Castle
Close to Crathes Castle, near Drumoak (five miles), Drum Castle boasts a 13th-century tower and a mix of Jacobite mansions with Victorian additions.
The castle grounds have accessible woodlands and a rose garden wall.
8. The Pink Castle
Craigievar Castle is the ‘pink castle’ in Scotland and I confirm that it really is baby pink.
The fairytale scene is said to have inspired Walt Disney’s, Cinderella Castle.
Since Craigievar was actually a family home until the 1960s, there are quite a few artefacts inside for visitors to check out.
No Aberdeen sightseeing trip is complete without snapping the pink castle, add it to your bucket list now.
If you’re starting to think that all the castles sound a bit similar, check out our 3-day Aberdeenshire driving itinerary to help you visualise the route.
9. Footdee (Fittie)
Back by the coast, Footdee or Fittie as locals call it, is a lovely wee fishing village close to Aberdeen Beach.
It gets its name from its location – at the foot of the River Dee.
The architect responsible for Balmoral Castle also designed some of the Footdee houses.
It is typical to see visitors wandering the gardens and taking photos of the colourful doors and welcoming decor.
10. Aberdeen City
If you like to mix your rural exploration with some city life, Aberdeen has bars, restaurants, museums, and street art.
Read the full guide here.
11. Brewdog Tour, Ellon
Things to do near Aberdeen don’t have to involve history, promise!
Brewdog is now an internationally renowned craft beer but did you know that it all kicked off in Aberdeenshire and you can visit the original location at Ellon?
12. Glen Garioch Distillery
Learn about the Glen Garioch distillery process during the one-hour Founders Tour.
Then taste the award-winning single malt created by the Manson brothers.
13. Slains Castle
Slains Castle is an interesting one for photographers because it is a huge ruin with window frames that casts cool shadows in the afternoon light.
Located on the coast of Aberdeenshire’s Cruden Bay, this 1597 castle ruin is free to access and is close to Bullers of Buchan.
Did you know that it is said that Slain Castle inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula?
You’ll see why when you are met by flocks of blackbirds that guard the castle ruins.
14. Bullers of Buchan
One of the best-kept secrets on the east coast is the Bullers of Buchan.
This collapsed sea cave is a striking attraction 25 miles from Aberdeen, and just a five-minute drive from Slains Castle.
Look out for puffins if visiting during summer.
15. Peterhead Prison
Peterhead Prison opened in 1888 and served as a functioning prison until 2013!
Now closed, this building shares interesting stories in the form of audio tours, which discuss life in prison throughout the ages.
Group tours are available from Wednesday through to Sunday.
We did the audio tour which took around 1.5 hours.
There is also a cafe on site.
Moray Firth
North of Aberdeenshire is the lesser-known area called the Moray Firth which is well worth a day trip or road trip.
16. Crovie Viewpoint
Crovie is one of the most interesting villages in Scotland as it is tucked into a hill on the Banffshire coast.
Cars are not allowed to drive down to the residential street, so pack sensible walking shoes if you want to get closer than the viewpoint.
17. Portsoy Harbour
Portsoy has a 17th-century harbour with a quirky landmark!
The popular TV show Peaky Blinders was filmed here, and fans of the show have left messages for one of the deceased characters.
18. Glenglassaugh Distillery
Continuing the Whisky Trail, visitors can learn more about production during a tour of Glenglassaugh Distillery.
19. Cullen Skink
Try the freshest Cullen Skink fish soup in the place it originated, Cullen!
20. Lossiemouth
Lossie is another unusual town in the Moray Firth, as one of its beaches is reached by a bridge; it almost looks like an island.
21. Bow Fiddle Rock
Add the town of Portknockie to your Aberdeenshire bucket list as this is where the dramatic rock formation, Bow Fiddle Rock is located!
You can photograph the landmark from its viewpoint or climb down the steps to the stony beach.
22. Findhorn Colourful Beach Huts
Speaking of stony beaches, Findhorn has a beach packed with huge pebbles and painted beach huts for rent.
Grab a coffee at Un Petit Café food truck and watch the wild waves lap the shore.
