The things no one told you about Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
17 April 2017
Forget all those things people told you about Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, here’s five things that no one told you:
If successive Royals get to be themselves when here – imagine how you will feel. Aberdeenshire meets the Cairngorms National Park where you can roam for miles, bag Munros, mountain bike, walk, cycle… and with 165 miles of rugged coastlines you can stride expansives of golden sand, surf, kayak or kiteboard.
Our panoramic views and elemental power will take a golfers breath away. In the great dunes that stretch along the Aberdeenshire coast you can find some of the world’s most challenging, and oldest, golf courses. Inland, among forest, glens, great estates and rugged heaths you will discover countless parkland courses.
You can find over 300 castles in ancient and spectacular surroundings. Deep in an ancient pine forest, beside a fast-flowing river, on a high snowbound mountain pass, among rich rolling farmland, and perched on cliffs some 50 feet above the sea. These are some of the spectacular settings for Aberdeenshire’s 300 castles: there are more here per acre than anywhere else in the British Isles!
True North. Granite Noir. Spectra. Braemar Gathering. Scottish Traditional Boat Festival. Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony. Even the names conjure up a different kind of place. And it’s true to say that events and festivals here are especially rooted … in our people and our distinctive Doric culture. Light, music, dance and culture are all uniquely celebrated in ways that are sometimes traditional, sometimes contemporary, and often significant – nationally and internationally.
World-famous, full-flavoured, hearty and comforting, the original Cullen Skink packs a powerful punch. Aberdeen Angus beef is much-prized. Dean’s rich traditional shortbread is made here in Huntly. Ellon, just north of Aberdeen, is home to craft beer revolutionaries Brewdog. And you will find eight distilleries in Aberdeenshire with world famous distilleries on our doorstop too.
I’ve got to admit that choosing only five things was difficult. There’s so many things to know about this region including its coast, its countryside and its architecturally distinctive city. For all information about what to do, what to see and where to eat in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire just head to our What To Do section
All information is correct at the time of publishing, we recommend that you check opening times and information for individual places before visiting.