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What to See & Do 2013-14 Explore: Aberdeen City and Shire Fascinating History Inspiring Landscapes City Culture www.aberdeen-grampian.com Welcome to... Aberdeen City and Shire Explore a dramatic coastline full of incredible wildlife Discover majestic landscapes with royal connections Enjoy cultural delights in towns, villages and a flourishing city Enjoy fine dining with delicious local produce 01 04 06 08 12 02 03 04 05 Disclaimer VisitScotland has published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted to it by the proprietor/managers of the premises listed who have paid for their entries to be included. Although VisitScotland has taken reasonable steps to confirm the information contained in the guide at the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, VisitScotland recommends that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of the business to ensure that the facilities, cost and all other aspects of the premises are satisfactory. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in the guide. VisitScotland also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as of December 2012. For further information on accommodation and exploring Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com www.aberdeen-grampian.com Contents 02 Travel tips 04 Aberdeen City and Shire at a glance 06 The Granite City 08 Year of Natural Scotland 10 The Coastal Trail 12 Scotland’s Castle Trail 14 Where legends come to life 16 VisitScotland Information Centres 17 Quality Assurance 06 18 How to read the listings Make the most of your break in Aberdeen City and Shire 19 Great days out – Places to Visit by exploring the rich history and heritage, inspiring natural 28 A sense of adventure landscapes, and vibrant city culture of this magnificent region. 29 Great days out – Leisure Activities 32 Shopping Discover the epic north east coastline, beautiful Located on the north east coast, Aberdeen Royal Deeside and the stunning Cairngorms has all the delights of a modern city with great 33 Great days out – Shopping National Park, the largest National Park in the restaurants, bars, museums and shops. Out of the 34 Food & drink UK. Uncover a dramatic past by visiting 17 castles city, beautiful Aberdeenshire is home to ancient along Scotland’s Castle Trail and get active castles, idyllic towns and villages, wonderful 35 Great days out – Food & Drink with a wide range of leisure activities such as wildlife, stunning countryside and 165 miles of 36 Tours hillwalking, sea kayaking and skiing. Where else clifftops, coves and beaches that make up the can you admire ancient castles during the day rugged coastline. 37 Great days out – Tours/Transport and the bright lights of the big city at night? 38 What’s on Uncover landscapes and standing stones similar to those seen in Disney•Pixar’s Brave or browse 40 Great days out – Family Fun luxury shopping centres in Aberdeen and unique Getting around independent outlets across Aberdeenshire. 48 Aberdeenshire area – Map 1 Aberdeen City 02 49 Aberdeen city – Map 2 and Shire With delicious local produce, a variety of sightseeing tours inland and along the Banffshire coast, and a huge selection of events and Discover a delicious festivals held throughout the year, Aberdeen local larder 34 City and Shire really is the ideal destination for a holiday, whatever the season. Find out what’s on 07 in the area 38 Cover: Duff House in Banff, one of Scotland’s finest architectural masterpieces. 01 Cambus O’ May suspension bridge, Royal Deeside. 02 Discover the Queen’s View, near Tarland. 03 Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen city. 04 Gannet spotting at RSPB Troup Head, near Fraserburgh. 05 Castle Fraser, near Inverurie. 06 Picturesque Gardenstown on the Banffshire coast. 07 The 9th hole, Hawkshill, Newmachar Golf Club. Credits Photography: Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, Historic Scotland (front cover), Ray Smith (Aberdeen City and Shire Regional Identity), Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms DMO, Walter Heslop/ Newmachar Golf Club, Chris Robson, Balmoral Estate, Sam Brill/Aberdeen Convention Bureau, Aberdeen City Council, Lorne Gill/SNH, Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership/Lyn MacDonald, Aberdeenshire Council, National Trust for Scotland, Go Ape!, Disney•Pixar and Steven McKenna. Design: APS Group Scotland | www.theapsgroup.com, Shaw Marketing and Design | www.shaw-online.com and THK Design | www.thkdesign.com This brochure is printed on recycled content paper. VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our environment, upon which our tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. 13ABER To find out more about Aberdeen City and Shire go to www.aberdeen-grampian.com 01 Aberdeen City and Shire Travel tips Tips for the journey For an Aberdeen city break, why not take the ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston? 01 Aberdeen has an excellent public transport system day and night, although walking around the streets is a great way to get a feel for the city. Much of the region beyond Aberdeen is countryside – if you don’t have a car, both buses and trains will easily get you to and from your destination. By road like, or a week-long ticket if you are here for • If you have taken the car or have hired one, you a longer break. have that extra degree of freedom and can truly explore the beauty of Aberdeen City and Shire. • Stagecoach buses run from Aberdeen’s main bus station on Guild Street, which is next to the train • The A90 follows the north east coast through station and provides services beyond the city. See Aberdeenshire. From Aberdeen, the A96 travels www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables.aspx north west through Aberdeenshire. for timetable information. • Why not follow the region’s excellent signposted • Stagecoach Bluebird also produce ‘Discover’ theme trails: the Castle Trail, Coastal Trail and leaflets, providing days out information, Victorian Heritage Trail? They’re a fantastic way if you prefer to day trip from Aberdeen to to explore the area. Aberdeenshire by bus rather than car. See www.stagecoachbus.com/discover.aspx By bus • First Bus, Aberdeen’s main bus operator, runs • An Explorer Pass from Scottish Citylink over 20 routes across the city and surrounding or a Megarider ticket from Stagecoach area, with regular buses throughout the day offers unlimited bus travel within certain and night. You can opt to pay for a single areas. For more information go to journey, pick up an unlimited daily travel ticket, www.citylink.co.uk/explorerpass.php 02 which allows you to hop on and off when you or www.buymymegarider.com 02 For further information on accommodation and exploring Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com Travel tips By rail Where to find out more • Aberdeen railway station is in the heart of • For inspiration and ideas on everything to the city, next to the bus station and near see and do in Aberdeen City and Shire, call Coastal Trail to the ferry terminal. Regular trains bound into a VisitScotland Information Centre. for Inverness stop at the charming towns of Our friendly experts can offer advice on Q Along 165 miles of coastline, discover the Inverurie, half an hour from Aberdeen, and all things local as well as share their wider picturesque fishing villages and stunning Huntly, an hour’s journey. Trains destined for knowledge of Scotland. We can also arrange beaches of the north east, all the way Glasgow and Edinburgh stop at the seaside your accommodation, handle all your travel from Sandend down to St Cyrus National town of Stonehaven, only 20 minutes from needs and book tickets for events, activities Nature Reserve. Aberdeen. With lots to see and do, all of these and attractions across Scotland. Most of our towns are well worth a day trip from Aberdeen. centres stock a wide range of quality gifts Q Spot the world’s most northerly population For a full list of timetables and fares visit and souvenirs and our staff will be delighted of bottlenose dolphins along the www.scotrail.co.uk to help you find that special souvenir of Banffshire coast, also known as ‘Scotland’s Scotland. So, call in to see us – we’ll point Dolphin Coast’. By air you in the right direction. Please refer to the • Aberdeen International Airport serves more list of Information Centres in Aberdeen City than 3 million passengers a year and has and Shire on page 16. regular flights within Scotland, to London Scotland’s Castle Trail and to Europe. To book your flights visit • Further travel information can be obtained in Q Visit 17 of the region’s finest castles, www.britishairways.com, www.flybe.com advance from www.travelinescotland.com ruins and stately homes along this and www.easyjet.com or by calling 0871 200 2233. fascinating trail. Q Enjoy the rugged splendour of Kildrummy Castle, the romantic ruins of Huntly Castle, as well as beautifully restored family castles such as Crathes and Fyvie. Victorian Heritage Trail Q Witness Royal Deeside in all its glory while visiting some of Queen Victoria’s favourite places, including the spectacular Queen’s View in Tarland. Q Visit the restored Old Royal Station in Ballater which has a refurbished carriage from Queen Victoria’s royal train. Q For more information on Aberdeen City and Shire’s trails visit www.visitscotland.com/aberdeentrails 03 05 01 Buses outside Marischal College, Aberdeen city. 02 Signpost for the Aberdeenshire Coastal Tourist Route.
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