Stretching out on the north east coast of Scotland, Aberdeen is bordered by forested Royal Deeside, the majestic Cairngorms National Park to the west and panoramic sea views to the east.
Feel the richness of the city’s history all around you, in Scotland’s third largest city, Aberdeen. From the traditional Doric accent of local residents to the glinting granite buildings lining the streets. Explore the impressive turreted Town House in Union Street, the castellated Citadel at The Castlegate and the striking gothic Marischal College, the world’s second largest granite structure. The city offers a wide variety of free attractions to see and do including Provost Skene’s House, Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum and the famous “Granite Mile”, full of high street and independent Scottish craft shops. Aberdeen’s coastal location also provides the unique opportunity to take a Dolphin Adventure cruise where you can view bottlenose dolphins, white beaked dolphins, risso dolphins, minke whales and basking sharks in their natural habitat.
A wild and breathtaking expanse of mountains, forests, lochs and wildlife, the Scottish Highlands will stir your emotions and bring your imagination to life. The Cairngorms National Park, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, has everything from castles and whisky distilleries to friendly villages and endless outdoor pursuits. The beauty of this region attracted royalty back in the 19th century and the Balmoral Estate, nestled in the shadows of the majestic mountain Lochnagar, is the official much-loved holiday residence of the Queen and Royal Family. Follow in the footsteps of the British Royal Family and visit the grounds and café within the Balmoral Castle Estate, the nearby Church of Crathie, their official place of worship when holidaying in Scotland and the Royal Deeside Railway, unique in having served all British monarchs from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II travelling to Balmoral.