Coastal Trail Discover one of the world's finest © Lorne Gill/SNH

St Cyrus National Nature Reserve

Duff House, near Banff © Lorne Gill/SNH

Museum of Scottish , RSPB Troup Head, near Ideas to inspire

Much of Aberdeenshire’s is rated as one of the most scenic in the world by National Geographic magazine with 165 miles of glistening coastal scenery just Brilliant events on the Aberdeenshire Coast waiting to be discovered. This three day itinerary provides some ideas for planning a May - COAST Festival of Arts, Various venues in Banff & Macduff group holiday to this incredible part of . You’ll discover a fine collection of Come along to these picturesque twin harbour towns for a fascinating visitor attractions; captivating history; beautiful nature reserves abundant wonderful community run festival of visual arts, music and stories in wildlife; dramatic clifftop walks, charming coves and expansive beaches; delightful and great food and drink. towns and villages and world-class golf courses. May - August - Energetica Summer Festival Join this fabulous festival and enjoy guided walks and cycles and Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Begin this trip on the Banffshire coast – wildlife watching along the remarkable East Grampian Coast. ‘Scotland’s Dolphin Coast’, with a tour There's something for all ages. of Glenglassaugh Distillery near May - Haal Folk Festival, The Salmon Bothy, Portsoy © Allan Robertson . Then head east to the town of A fantastic opportunity to hear the music traditions of the north Portsoy and discover the intriguing east, from bothy ballads and Robert Burns to Celtic and Irish music. stories of its fishing and smuggling past by the historic 17th century harbour June - Cornhill Highland Games, near Banff This colourful traditional games is a must-see event. You’ll never and at the Salmon Bothy. Continue forget the sights and sounds of pipe bands, Highland dancing, caber further east to Banff and admire the tossing and hammer throwing. stunning Georgian architecture of – an outstation of the National Galleries of Scotland. Nearby, visit Macduff Marine Aquarium or enjoy a round of golf June - Midsummer Beer Happening, This event builds on the hugely successful Stonehaven Beer Festival at Duff House Royal. Banff has a selection of possible overnight accommodation. with a fantastic celebration of beer, food and music, but mostly beer! On day two, head for the busy fishing town of Fraserburgh. This is the UKs largest July - Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Portsoy shellfish port, where you can uncover over 400 years of history at Fraserburgh See traditional vessels gather in the historic 17th century harbour, Heritage Centre. Right next door, take a tour of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. some over 100 years old. The Festival also features music, dance, South-east of Fraserburgh call into the RSPB Scotland reserve and local produce and traditional crafts. see all manner of birdlife. Spend time discovering the Energetica Coast running from July – Stonehaven Folk Festival, Stonehaven Town Hall (Europe's largest white fish port) to , where beautiful beaches You haven’t heard music until you’ve heard the World Paper ’n’ Comb rich in wildlife, are just waiting to be explored. For early-birds, visit Peterhead Fish Championships! It’s part of this fun festival that also includes Market at 7.00am (Monday to Friday) to see fresh landings being sold (maximum traditional and contemporary music concerts and an aqua ceilidh! group size 20). Possible overnight in Boddam/Peterhead or Aberdeen. July - Stonehaven Highland Games, Mackie Academy Cabers will be tossed, hammers thrown, dances danced and crowds Day three starts at either Torry Battery on the south-side of Aberdeen Harbour or at delighted at this ever popular event. Get yourself along to Footdee on the north side. Built in 1860, Torry Battery defended the entrance to the experience the brilliant atmosphere of these lively local games. harbour, but today is one of the best places along the coast to spot resident bottlenose dolphins. If you opt to head for Footdee instead of Torry Battery, this also provides great access to Aberdeen Esplanade, amusement park and the Beach Ballroom. Travel down the coast to Stonehaven and see thousands of at RSPB Scotland's reserve. No trip along the Coastal Trail is complete without a visit to the iconic clifftop fortress of , which survived a Cromwell siege, protected the Scottish crown jewels, was the setting for Mel Gibson’s Hollywood movie Hamlet and narrowly missed out on becoming the eighth wonder of the world.

For more ideas, contacts and suggested itineraries www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email us at [email protected] Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail Discover one of the world's finest coasts

Day 1 - The Banffshire coast - 'Scotland's Dolphin Coast' Optional extra

1 2 3 4 5 © © Banffshire Coast Banffshire Coast

GLENGLASSAUGH DISTILLERY PORTSOY SALMON BOTHY – Uncover DUFF HOUSE – Take in the splendour of MACDUFF AQUARIUM – Discover RSPB SCOTLAND TROUP HEAD Situated at the east end of beautiful the fascinating fishing traditions of the one of Scotland’s architectural masterpieces. astonishing underwater worlds at this Take a memorable boat trip from Sandend Bay is Glenglassaugh Distillery, region at the Salmon Bothy Museum, Built by William Adam in the 18th century, brilliant attraction which is great for Macduff with a choice of four charter founded in 1875 by Colonel James Moir. housed in a charming limewashed building the house was originally a seat for the 1st visitors of all ages. Learn about the marine operators who run cruises to the For over 20 years, this distillery was closed which dates back over 180 years. You’ll find Earl Fife and is now one of 18 sites along life of the Moray Firth, from its rocky remarkable cliffs of Troup Head. Each until it was purchased by a group of a range of exhibits in the former ice Scotland’s Castle Trail. Admire the shores to the depths of the sea floor. Come spring the reserve transforms into a investors and production restarted in chambers. Learn about the town’s harbours, artworks, many of which are on loan from face-to-face with intriguing sea creatures city as thousands of gannets, its industry, trade and the salmon fishing 2008. Discover the fine flavours of one of the National Galleries of Scotland, before such as octopus and conger eel, and hold guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and operations, and get a unique insight into the Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire and the geography, history and culture of exploring the vast parkland grounds. Stroll starfish and crabs at the touch pool. The return from their winter at sea go on a behind-the-scenes tour. You can Portsoy. In the bothy, trace your family tree along the banks of the River Deveron to the aquarium is home to a living kelp reef, the to nest and raise their young. If you’re even fill your own bottle of Glenglassaugh with trained genealogists and discover your south of the house, or test your game with a only one of its kind in Britain. You might lucky, you might also spot passing whisky and take it away with you! connections to the area. round of golf at Duff House Royal Golf Club. even see divers hand feeding the fish. dolphins and whales.

Day 2 - Fraserburgh & the East Grampian coast Optional extra © Coast Partnership © David J Whyte/ Linksland Golf 1 2 3 4 Ian Hay, East Grampian 5

FRASERBURGH HERITAGE CENTRE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH LIGHTHOUSES RSPB SCOTLAND LOCH OF FORVIE NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE GOLF CLUB – Named the Explore a treasure trove of wonders and Take a guided tour of , the STRATHBEG – Regardless of season, & THE second best fun course in Great Britain by discover 400 years of history at this award- only in the world built in a there’s always something fascinating to see Walk through sand dunes at Forvie National Golf World magazine and awarded top winning museum and visitor centre, castle, whilst on your visit to this award- at Britain’s largest dune loch. During spring Nature Reserve and explore the heather course in Scotland at the 2012 Golf Tourism established by members of the local winning national museum. See the and summer, you might spot , terns and moorlands, clifftops and a nearby secluded Scotland Awards, Cruden Bay is a community in what was originally a barrel fascinating exhibitions, which include a wading birds raising their young, while in beach – there’s even the ruins of a half- spectacular seaside links course like no other. wonderful collection of glass lighthouse store. The centre, which is located next to the autumn and winter months you can buried 12th century church to explore. Designed by Old Tom Morris and Archie lenses and learn about the lives of those Simpson in the late 19th century and set the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, gives who watched over Scotland’s coastline for marvel at the spectacle of thousands of Nearby, on the Ythan Estuary, birdlife is a great insight into the story of Fraserburgh over 200 years. Enjoy some refreshments in pink-footed geese (20% of the world's plentiful; waders and waterfowl feast in the against beautiful rolling hills with towering and its people through 23 unique displays. Stevenson’s Café and take in views of the population), which arrive from Iceland. The mud in winter, and in summer you’ll see a sand dunes, both the 18 hole Championship Learn about Thomas Blake Glover, one of entrance to the Moray Firth – you might reserve has three hides and an observation thousand breeding eider ducks (and maybe Course and 9 hole St Olaf Course are open to the founders of modern Japan, and see even spot some wonderful marine wildlife room in the visitor centre. Nearby, see also 'Elvis' a colourful migratory king eider visitors seven days a week and are well some remarkable garments by iconic 1960s off the coast. Disabled access is available Lighthouse, explore the duck). You’re also virtually guaranteed to worth a visit for golfers of all abilities. fashion designer Bill Gibb. Audio tours of to the museum building but not to the extensive sand dunes and spot old see common and grey seals basking on the Visitors are assured of a warm welcome at the centre are available at no extra charge. lighthouse itself. shipwrecks on the beach. north bank of the estuary. one of Aberdeenshire's premier golf venues.

Day 3 - Aberdeen & the Mearns Optional extra © © © Age fotostock Alamy Neil McIntyre/ VisitScotland 1 2 3 4 Andy Hay/ RSPB 5

TORRY BATTERY – For many, the star STONEHAVEN HARBOUR & TOLBOOTH DUNNOTTAR CASTLE – Coastal castles RSPB SCOTLAND FOWLSHEUGH NATIONAL NATURE attraction of Aberdeen’s busy harbour is its MUSEUM – Stonehaven’s pretty working don’t get much more romantic and dramatic Guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes are RESERVE – Feel like you’re miles from the pod of bottlenose dolphins, and Torry harbour, busy with sailing yachts and than the magnificent ruins of Dunnottar some of the thousands of pairs of breeding hustle and bustle of urban life as you Battery is an excellent viewpoint to try and fishing boats, provides the perfect subject Castle. Perched 160 ft high above the North birds which collectively form an awesome wander along the cliffs and dunes of St spot these playful creatures – make sure for budding photographers. Visit the Sea, nothing beats approaching the castle on natural spectacle on the cliffs of Fowlsheugh Cyrus National Nature Reserve. In the you bring your binoculars and camera! Take Tolbooth Museum, housed in the oldest foot along the coastal path from Stonehaven in the spring and summer months. You might summer months, this protected area is a stroll to this former fortified artillery building in the town, and uncover the – a walk of around 1½ miles. This fortress see comical-looking puffins and beady-eyed awash with colour and life, from pretty battery dating back to 1860, which was last fascinating heritage of both the town and has a long and enthralling history: it was fulmars too. Put on your boots and follow purple bellflowers dotted across the grassy used defensively in WWII. Those of limited the 16th century building itself; historically, besieged by Oliver Cromwell, has housed the one of the clifftop paths and admire the dunes to the constant movement of mobility or disability should park in the free it served as a prison and has connections to Scottish Crown Jewels and also been graced breathtaking coastal vistas, and keep your fluttering butterflies. Keep your eyes to the upper car park, access is over rough ground nearby Dunnottar Castle. In the summer by visits from Scottish icons William Wallace eyes to the sea; grey seals, dolphins and skies, where you might spot circling but is manageable. Standing nearby at the months, head for the magnificent cliffs at and Mary, Queen of Scots. If you’re lucky, you minke whales are often spotted by walkers. peregrine falcons, or in the winter months entrance of the River Dee is Girdleness RSPB Scotland Fowlsheugh reserve, a might even see dolphins from the ramparts. A new viewing shelter has been built at the look out for feeding waders on the Lighthouse which was designed by Robert seabird cliff colony packed with 130,000 Access is via uneven steps and may not be end of the RSPB maintained path, giving shoreline. Access to the beach may not be Stevenson and built in 1833. breeding seabirds. suitable for infirm and disabled visitors. superb views. suitable for infirm and disabled visitors.

For more information on things to see and do in Aberdeenshire go to www.visitscotland.com/aberdeenshire