Culture & Arts

A Region Rich in Creativity

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From historic theatres and contemporary art galleries to vibrant festivals and live music, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are bursting with culture. The region blends centuries of tradition with modern creativity, creating a cultural scene that’s both rich and divers

Museums in Aberdeenshire

Step back in time and discover Aberdeenshire’s rich history. From Aberdeen’s Maritime Museum and Gordon Highlanders Museum to Peterhead Prison, Stonehaven Tolbooth, and Braemar Highland Games Centre, there’s something to inspire every visitor.

Maritime museum

Art Galleries

Aberdeenshire is home to a vibrant arts scene, from Aberdeen Art Gallery with its award-winning collection and £34.6 million transformation, to contemporary exhibitions at Peacock Visual Arts in the historic Castlegate. Across the region, independent galleries like The Butterworth Gallery, Milton Art Gallery and Larks Gallery in Royal Deeside showcase local talent, while Tolquhon Gallery to the North offers impressive art, design and craft.

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Stage & Screen

Aberdeenshire’s dramatic landscapes, clifftop ruins and fairy-tale castles have inspired some of the world’s most famous storytellers and filmmakers. Dunnottar Castle influenced Franco Zeffirelli’s Hamlet, Disney’s Brave and even served as a backdrop for Frankenstein with Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy, while Craigievar Castle is said to have inspired Walt Disney’s iconic pink castle.

Literary legends like Robert Louis Stevenson and Bram Stoker also found inspiration here, penning Treasure Island and Dracula after stays at Braemar and Slains Castles. More recently, Slains Castle appeared in Netflix’s The Crown, and Balmoral’s regal likeness was portrayed by Cluny Castle and Castle Fraser in The Queen. Along the coast, Portsoy and Pennan featured in Whisky Galore and Local Hero, while Mar Lodge Estate and Strathdon appeared in The Dark Knight Rises and Mary, Queen of Scots.

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Craigievar Castle 142 DS 31 2