July is peak summer in the North-east, the days are long, the countryside is at its lushest, and the events calendar is stacked with Highland Games, coastal adventures and family days out. Here's your guide to making the most of the month.
1. Explore Balmoral Castle and Royal Deeside
July is one of the finest months to visit Balmoral Castle, the private residence of the Royal Family nestled in the Cairngorms countryside, which has served as a royal retreat since the time of Queen Victoria.
General admission includes access to the Castle Ballroom and the 2026 exhibition, walks around the grounds, and a visit to the Mews Gift Shop and Restaurant.
Combine it with a scenic drive along Royal Deeside or a wander round Ballater for a genuinely special summer day out.
2. Cheer on the athletes at Stonehaven Highland Games
Stonehaven Highland Games are held at Mackie Academy on the third Sunday of July each year, featuring Highland dancing, running and heavy events like tossing the caber and hammer throwing, a pipe band competition, and mini games for children.
The 2026 games take place on Sunday 19th July, with local events starting at 10.30am and open competition from 1pm.
Pair it with a walk along Stonehaven's beautiful harbour and you have a gorgeous summer Sunday.
3. Take a ride in vintage car at Grampian Transport Museum
A brilliant afternoon out for the family, the Vehicle Rides Day at Grampian Transport Museum on 8th July (1pm–3pm) gives visitors the chance to enjoy a ride around the arena in a wide array of vehicles - and it's included in standard museum admission.
The museum itself is one of the north-east's great museums, with extraordinary collections spanning everything from vintage cars to record-breaking vehicles.
4. Hit the beach at Balmedie Country Park
July calls for a trip to the coast.
Balmedie Country Park features a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach behind which are sand dunes, great and small, to explore, with a total of 1,700 metres of boardwalk to assist visitor access through the dunes.
Just north of Aberdeen, it's one of the finest stretches of coastline in the North-east, open, wild and completely free.
5. Explore the Nuart Murals on Foot
Nuart Aberdeen is widely regarded as the best street art festival of its kind in the world, and while the 2026 festival took place in April, nine walls around Aberdeen were transformed with new artworks that remain on the city's streets all year along with art of years past.
July's long days and fine weather make it the ideal time to follow the Nuart map at your own pace, a free, self-guided way to discover the city from a completely different angle.
6. Enjoy the Fettercairn show
The Fettercairn Show takes place on Saturday 4th July 2026 - and this year marks the extraordinary milestone of the Fettercairn Farmers Club's Bicentennial Anniversary.
Founded in 1826, the show is one of the oldest Highland shows in Scotland, set in the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside near Laurencekirk in the Howe of the Mearns.
Expect livestock classes, vintage vehicles courtesy of the Mearns Vintage Vehicle Club, trade stands and all the warmth of a proper country show. A genuine piece of living Aberdeenshire history
7. Catch a show at His Majesty's Theatre
July's long evenings are made for a night out in Aberdeen. His Majesty's Theatre is a Category A listed proscenium arch theatre designed by celebrated architect Frank Matcham, which opened in December 1906 and remains one of Scotland's most beautiful venues.
With a packed summer programme of visiting productions and touring shows, it's the perfect way to round off a day in the city.
Ready to start planning? Browse the full events calendar and discover everything Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has to offer this July.
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