Aberdeenshire & Moray Tourist Information

Let us help you plan your ideal vacation in Aberdeenshire...

In the south western tip of Aberdeenshire are the wildernesses of the Cairngorms and Grampian Mountains, and along the coastline lie miles of unspoiled dunes and beaches. The smaller county of Moray echoes the same, the Cairngorms again rising to its west with wild heath, farmland and coast.

If you fancy a 'tipple' many world famous distilleries wait to be discovered and you will also find many of your favourite scottish food and biscuits are made here.

The largest populated area between these two counties is the city of Aberdeen, "the Granite city" which is aptly named. It has many magnificent buildings. Its city centre has not been spoilt by the erection of modern concrete buildings found in so many UK cities today.

Aberdeenshire granite has been shipped all over the world so it is not surprising that so many buildings, including domestic properties, are built from this local stone. It is also home to the oldest existing transport company in the UK - The Shore Porters' Society, founded in 1498! You can learn about their fascinating history from the Shore Porters' Society website.

Union Street, Aberdeen. See it live with the Aberdeen webcams.

Collieston

Beyond the boundaries of the city, the county of Aberdeenshire and neighbouring Moray have much to offer the tourist. Here you will find attractive coastal fishing villages, famous whisky distilleries, majestic castles, and some of the finest salmon fishing rivers in the world.

Slains Castle, Cruden Bay Slains Castle - Supposedly the inspiration for Bram Stoker when he wrote "Dracula"

There are so many castles to see that a Castle Trail has been set up to help visitors find their way around. This only covers a few selected castles which are open to the public.

Whilst others are in ruins, there are many which are still lived in!

Slains Castle, now in ruins, north of Cruden Bay, was once a very imposing home, although no where as old as its appearance suggests. When the owners fell on hard times, they removed the roof to enable them to stop payment of "rates" and the building quickly fell into disrepair. There is talk of it being renovated to provide holiday accommodation.

Ask people who have never been to Aberdeenshire how they imagine it to be and they will often tell you they expect it to be cold, bleak, and damp. They could not be further from the truth.

Here you will find some of the brightest skies...

most uncrowded sandiest beaches...

Crowded beach! - Cruden Bay Cruden Bay

most pleasant rolling countryside...

relaxing farm holidays...

best walks...

Bennachie

and most natural unspoilt natural landscapes anywhere in the UK....

Newburgh - Photo: Louise Johnson Newburgh

If you are looking for accommodation, first choose the type you require:

   Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc.

   Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc.

   Camping and Touring Caravan Sites

   Boating and Sailing Holidays

Please note that if you are wanting to stay in an apartment, some may be listed as "Aparthotels" in the Hotels section. These tend to offer more services than a normal apartment, eg restaurants, bars, and "Reception" staff more associated with hotels. Normal apartments are listed in Self-Catering.

If you are planning a holiday in a static caravan or mobile home, these should be listed in the Self Catering section.

Don't forget we offer lots of information on Activities, Attractions and Travel to help you plan your vacation.

For a reliable taxi service in this area contact:

Elmbank Taxis - 01651 872618 or click to e-mail us!

Tourist Information Centres

ABERDEEN AND GRAMPIAN TOURIST BOARD
Exchange House, 26/28 Exchange Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6PH
Tel: 01224 288828   Fax: 01224 288838
E-mail: info@agtb.org

ABERDEEN
Provost Ross's House, Shiprow
Tel: 01224 288828
Open all year

ALFORD
Railway Museum, Station Yard, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8AD
Tel: 019755 62052
Open Easter to October

BALLATER
Station Square, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5QB
Tel: 013397 55306

BANCHORY
Bridge Street, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5SX
Tel: 01330 822000    Fax: 01330 825126
Open Easter to October

BANFF
Collie Lodge, Banff, Aberdeenshire, AB45 1AU
Tel: 01261 812419
Open Easter to October

BRAEMAR
The Mews, Mar Road, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5YP
Tel: 013397 41600    Fax: 013397 41643
Open all year

CRATHIE
The Car Park, Crathie, by Balmoral, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5UL
Tel: 013397 42414
Open Easter to October

DUFFTOWN
The Clock Tower, The Square, Dufftown, Aberdeenshire, AB55 4AD
Tel: 01340 820501
Open Easter to October

FRASERBURGH
3 Saltoun Square, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, AB43 9DA
Tel: 01346 518315
Open Easter to October

HUNTLY
9a The Square, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, AB54 8BR
Tel: 01466 792255

INVERURIE
Book Store, 18 High Street, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 3XQ
Tel: 01467 625800    Fax: 01467 625800
Open all year

STONEHAVEN
66 Allardice Street, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, AB39 2AA
Tel: 01569 762806
Open Easter to October

TOMINTOUL
The Square, Tomintoul, Aberdeenshire, AB37 9ET
Tel: 01807 580285    Fax: 01807 580285
Open Easter to October

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Useful links

Historic Scotland

National Trust for Scotland

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Aberdeenshire & Moray Tourist Information

Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc. Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc. Camping and Touring Caravan Sites Boating and Sailing Holidays

Tourist Information Centres

Useful links

Hotels, Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfast, etc.

Self Catering Cottages, Villas, Apartments, Static Caravans, Holiday Parks, Lodges, etc.

Camping and Touring Caravan Sites

Boating and Sailing Holidays