VisitAberdeenshire WELCOME TO &

www.visitabdn.com @visitabdn | #visitABDN Day 1 - Aberdeenshire Coast ITINERARY

If you are thinking of going on a road trip to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire here’s a 48 hour road trip you’ve got to do. i Forvie Sands With some of the largest sand dunes in Britain, Forvie NNR is one of ’s most dramatic stretches of coast. The wind and the tide are in charge here, and it’s a great place to blow the cobwebs away with the chance of seeing some spectacular wildlife.

i Slains Castle On the coast of lies the remains of Slains Castle. The castle is famous for many reasons, partly because it was a place where celebrities were entertained on numerous occasions in the 19th century, most notable being Bram Stocker. It is believed that the castle was the inspiration for the setting of his novel, Dracula (1897). i Lunch at Eat on the Green Stylish fine-dining restaurant in a former post office offering refined Modern Scottish cuisine. Since opening in 2004, owner and ‘The Kilted Chef’, Craig Wilson, has nurtured Eat on the Green into one of the best restaurants in Aberdeenshire.

i Prison Museum This former Victorian H.M. Convict Prison, now museum, has the first state owned railway in the UK and saw the only time the SAS were used to end a domestic siege in Britain. The museum highlights the work of the brave personnel that served here.

i Museum of Scottish Lighthouses Ever heard of a full-size lighthouse built right through the middle of a 16th century castle? Seeing is believing at this truly unique castle. Lighthouse was the very first lighthouse to be built on mainland Scotland in 1787. i Rather like seabirds which have adapted to living in the nooks and crannies of cliffs, buildings in Gardenstown also cling to steep slopes as the village has grown vertically towards the sea’s edge. i Overnight stay at The Banff Springs Hotel Located above the golden sand of the coastline, The Banff Springs Hotel is perfect for any of your vacational needs and offers picturesque views for watching the sunset. The hotel has a lounge bar and restaurant which serves only the finest local cuisine for guests. Day 2: Aberdeenshire Coast & Royal Deeside ITINERARY i Duff House, a grand mansion built in 1740 by William Adam is not to be missed. Now home to a permanent collection of art from the National Galleries of Scotland, during its lifetime it has been everything from a hotel to a prisoner of war camp. i Portsoy is a popular village thanks to its vibrant trademark festival and picturesque 17th century harbour. As well as being famed as the home of culinary delight, Portsoy Ice Cream - an award winning homemade family run ice cream shop, Portsoy was also the filming location for Whisky Galore! (2017). i Glenglassaugh Distillery At the east end of the beautiful Sandend Bay you will find Glenglassaugh Distillery. Although founded in 1875, the distillery was completely re- built in 1960. Whilst many distilleries have become highly automated, at Glenglassaugh Distillery, whisky is still lovingly handcrafted by a small and dedicated skilled team. i Balmoral Castle The British Royal Family has been visiting Aberdeenshire for over 100 years as their summer holiday destination of choice. It’s a matter of record that Queen Victoria fell deeply in love with what would become known as Royal Deeside (and the place where the current Queen is said to be her happiest): “All seemed to breathe freedom and peace ...” she wrote. It’s a sentiment that echoes through the years and still rings true today. i Aberdeenshire Highland Beef Experience Join Grace on her farm and meet her majestic herd of Highland Cattle, where you can experience for yourself the beauty of one of Scotland’s most iconic and native breeds adored worldwide. You can be guaranteed to receive a truly authentic Scottish experience at her farm. i Overnight stay at House Hotel Maryculter House Hotel is one of the most famous and historic hotels in Aberdeen located on the banks of the River Dee and overlooking the golf course of . Steeped in history dating back to the order of the Knights Templar in 1227AD, Maryculter House Hotel boasts beautiful original feature and an atmosphere to match. i Dunnottar Castle Depending on your route for arriving and departing Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire make sure you include a stop to Dunnottar Castle.

Dunnottar Castle is a dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress that was the home of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland. Steeped in history, this romantic and haunting ruin is a photographer’s paradise, a history lover’s dream and an iconic tourist destination for visitors the world over.