South Aberdeenshire · Coast
Stonehaven
A harbour town backed by cliffs, with beaches, coastal walks and Dunnottar Castle just to the south.
Explore Stonehaven →Clifftop castles, Royal Deeside and a coast full of character
Explore Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle, follow the River Dee towards Ballater and Braemar, or turn north for fishing towns, sandy bays and the rugged coast of north-east Scotland.
Castle country meets the sea
A region of very different journeys — coast, Deeside and historic countryside
Choose one part of Aberdeenshire first and the day becomes much easier to enjoy.
Explore Aberdeenshire
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore coastal towns, castles, Royal Deeside and the quieter inland landscapes of north-east Scotland.
Featured places
Where to go in Aberdeenshire
Choose the coast, Royal Deeside or castle country. Each gives you a very different north-east Scotland day.
Stonehaven · Heritage
Dunnottar Castle
Ruined fortress buildings on a spectacular clifftop headland above the North Sea.
Explore Dunnottar Castle →
Royal Deeside · Town
Ballater
A handsome Deeside town surrounded by forests, estates and mountain routes towards the Cairngorms.
Explore Ballater →
Royal Deeside · Village
Braemar
A Highland village at the western end of Deeside, surrounded by mountains and routes into the Cairngorms.
Explore Braemar →
Royal Deeside · Town
Banchory
A useful Deeside base with woodland, river walks and several historic estates nearby.
Explore Banchory →
Banffshire Coast · Town
Banff & Macduff
Neighbouring coastal towns divided by the River Deveron, with harbours, historic streets and sea views.
Explore Banff & Macduff →
North Coast · Village
Portsoy
A small historic harbour village with stone buildings and a particularly atmospheric old harbour.
Explore Portsoy →
Central Aberdeenshire · Heritage
Huntly
A historic inland town with castle ruins and easy access to the surrounding countryside.
Explore Huntly →
North East Coast · Village
Cruden Bay
A coastal village with a broad sandy beach, cliffs and the striking ruins of Slains Castle nearby.
Explore Cruden Bay →
Choose your kind of day
What is Aberdeenshire best for?
Dunnottar, estates & ruined fortresses
Castle Country
River valleys, forests & mountain roads
Royal Deeside
Harbours, beaches & sea cliffs
North East Coast
Market towns, estates & country roads
Historic Countryside
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
Aberdeenshire is large enough that each day benefits from staying within one part of the region.
Stonehaven & Dunnottar
One of Aberdeenshire's easiest and strongest coast-and-castle combinations.
- Stonehaven harbour and waterfront
- Walk or drive towards Dunnottar Castle
- Leave time for the clifftop coast itself
Banchory, Ballater & Royal Deeside
A river-valley journey that becomes steadily more mountainous as you travel west.
- Banchory for the eastern gateway
- Ballater for village character and estates
- Continue towards Braemar for bigger scenery
Banff, Portsoy & Cullen coast
A compact north-coast route of harbours and historic fishing communities.
- Banff and Macduff for town and harbour
- Portsoy for the old harbour
- Continue west towards Cullen and the Moray coast
Choose coast, castles or Deeside
Aberdeenshire stretches from the Cairngorms to the North Sea. The best way to explore it is to choose one broad route for the day rather than trying to cross the entire region.
For a day
Choose the south coast, Royal Deeside or the northern fishing towns.
For a weekend
Combine one coast day with one inland or castle-country day.
By rail
Useful for Stonehaven and selected larger towns, but many rural attractions need onward travel.
By car
The easiest option for Deeside, castles and smaller coastal communities.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Choose a coast, Deeside or inland base first, then build the rest of the trip around that part of Aberdeenshire.
Keep exploring
Continue towards the Cairngorms or Moray
Moray & Speyside, the Cairngorms and the east coast towards Angus are natural next steps from Aberdeenshire.