Where to Stay 2013 Aberdeen City & Shire www.aberdeen-grampian.com Rich Heritage Inspiring Nature City Culture Welcome to... Aberdeen City and Shire Discover a region where majestic landscapes meet the sea and where the thriving Granite City boasts a treasure trove of architectural and cultural gems. Loved by the Royal Family, Aberdeen City and Shire offers a wonderful range of things to see and do alongside an exciting, year-round programme of events. 01 Disclaimer VisitScotland has published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted to it by the proprietors/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 premises prior to booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, its price 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 October 2012. For information on accommodation and things to see and do, go to www.visitscotland.com www.aberdeen-grampian.com Contents 02 Travel tips 04 From city to coast 06 History & heritage 08 What to see & do 10 A natural playground 12 Scotland’s larder 14 What’s on 16 VisitScotland Information Centres 17 Quality Assurance 18 Practical information 19 How to read the listings Accommodation in Aberdeen City 21 Hotels and Inns 24 Serviced Apartments 25 Guest Houses and B&Bs 27 Self Catering 28 Hostels/Activity Accommodation Accommodation in Aberdeenshire 30 Hotels and Inns 35 Guest Houses and B&Bs 39 Self Catering 45 Camping and Caravan Parks 46 Hostels/Activity Accommodation 02 54 Aberdeenshire area map 56 Aberdeen City area map Cover Looking over Stonehaven harbour and countryside of The Mearns, Aberdeenshire. 01 Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside. 02 The picturesque harbour at Stonehaven. 03 Enjoy some retail therapy in the city. 04 04 Try BMXing at Transition Extreme, Aberdeen. 03 Credits Photography: Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, Chris Robson, Aberdeen City Council, Forestry Commission Picture Library, VisitBritain, Britainonview, Ross Graham, Rob McDougall and Ray Smith (Aberdeen City and Shire Regional Identity), Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms DMO, Go Ape! Treetop adventure, David Robertson (www.scot-image.co.uk), Historic Scotland, Lorne Gill-SNH, Trump International Golf Links, Steven McKenna/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, National Trust for Scotland and Simon Price. Design: APS Group Scotland | www.theapsgroup.com, Stand | www.stand-united.co.uk and THK Design | www.thkdesign.com This brochure is printed on recycled content paper. VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our 13AG environment, upon which our tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. To find out more about Aberdeen City and Shire go to www.aberdeen-grampian.com 01 Travel tips Aberdeen City and Shire has fantastic transport links with the rest of the UK and Europe. Whether flying, taking the train, catching the ferry or driving, reaching the region is straightforward. By road cities in England. Why not board the Caledonian Should you be driving north there is the choice Sleeper in London and wake up in Aberdeen? of the main A90 dual carriageway or the scenic A92 nearer the coastline. Another option, which For more information visit www.scotrail.co.uk is spectacular as it passes through the Cairngorms or www.nationalrail.co.uk National Park, is to wind your way north from Perth to Blairgowrie on the A93 and head over By ferry the Cairnwell Pass – at 2,200 ft the highest public If you are travelling to Aberdeen by ferry you road in Britain – before sweeping down into will enjoy one of the best views of the city. majestic Royal Deeside. Aberdeen Harbour is one of the busiest ports in Britain and is close to the For inspiring views of historic city centre. There are scheduled Kincardineshire, look back from ferry routes from both Orkney the summit of the B794 Cairn Tips for and Shetland to Aberdeen, both O’Mount between Fettercairn run by Serco NorthLink Ferries. and Banchory in the south of the journey the region. For more information visit Call into a VisitScotland www.northlinkferries.co.uk Coming from Inverness, the Information Centre for quickest route to Aberdeen travel advice. By air City and Shire is the A96. A more scenic alternative would be the Aberdeen Airport is one of the Highland Tourist Route which takes busiest airports in Scotland and you through Speyside, passing many of serves three million passengers each year. Scotland’s most famous malt whisky distilleries. There are scheduled flights to and from more than 30 regional UK airports and international cities, By bus involving around 20 different airlines. Express coach links from all major cities in the Each day there are dozens of flights between UK service the area. There is also a good network London and Aberdeen with flight times standing 01 of local bus services in Aberdeen City and Shire. at just over one hour. You can also fly in from Aberdeen train station European cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, in the city centre Stagecoach also produce a series of ‘Discover’ Copenhagen, Frankfurt and Bergen. leaflets, which provide excellent days out information for visitors who prefer to day For more information visit trip from Aberdeen City to Aberdeenshire www.aberdeenairport.com by bus, rather than taking the car. See www.stagecoach.com/discover.aspx for Where to find out more further information. For inspiration and ideas on everything to see For more information visit www.citylink.co.uk, and do in Aberdeen City and Shire, call into a www.megabus.com, www.stagecoachbus.com VisitScotland Information Centre. Our friendly and www.nationalexpress.com experts can offer advice on all things local as well as sharing their wider knowledge of Scotland. By rail We can also arrange your accommodation, handle all your travel needs and book tickets for events, If you happen to be travelling by train then there activities and attractions across Scotland. are hourly services north from both Glasgow and Edinburgh with journeys taking around two and Most of our centres stock a wide range of quality a half hours on the scenic East Coast line. gifts and souvenirs and our staff will be delighted to help you find that special souvenir of Scotland. There are also frequent trains to Aberdeen from So, call in to see us – we’ll point you in the right Inverness, a trip that takes little more than two direction. hours, with station stops at Dyce, Inverurie, Insch and Huntly, (which are well worth exploring in For details of VisitScotland Information Centres their own right) along the way. You can also catch in Aberdeen City and Shire, please see page 16. the train to Aberdeen from London and other 02 02 For information on accommodation and things to see and do, go to www.visitscotland.com 04 01 The Granite City of Aberdeen and beyond. 02 The main street in Banchory, Aberdeenshire. 03 First buses picking up passengers outside Marischal College, Aberdeen. 03 04 The Royal Arch at Fettercairn. To find out more about Aberdeen City and Shire go to www.aberdeen-grampian.com 03 From city to coast With its rolling countryside, cosmopolitan city and stunning coastline, Aberdeen City and Shire has plenty to offer visitors. Discover ancient castles, a National Park and fantastic entertainment in theatres and bars. Sample fine whiskies in historic distilleries or relax and tee off on scenic golf courses. 01 Did you know? The Granite City Shopping Centre, another outstanding shopping mall located a short distance from the train Q With its golden, sloping beach overlooking the The high cliffs at the RSPB North Sea and iconic granite buildings which station, while the West End boasts plenty of Reserve Troup Head, provide glint in the sunshine, the city of Aberdeen is unique boutiques and designer names for that a spectacular setting for one of Scotland’s most striking and vibrant extra special purchase. Scotland’s only mainland cities. Among the city’s impressive architectural gannet colony. offerings such as Marischal College and the Aberdeenshire impressive turreted Provost Skene’s House, With a rich history and dramatic coastal scenery, Q There are over 20 Munros you’ll find beautiful green spaces like Duthie Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland’s most in Aberdeenshire. Park to relax in. captivating regions. The stunning landscapes of Q Loch of Strathbeg is Britain’s Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms National Park largest dune loch. In winter Aberdeen’s nightlife enjoys a fantastic reputation, are within easy access of the city, and there are with plenty of chic clubs, a flourishing music plenty of charming towns and villages scattered 20 per cent of the world’s scene and outstanding restaurants. Enjoy a drink along the north and east coastlines. population of pink-footed at one of the sleek bars on Belmont Street before geese fly in – it’s a sight taking in an evening performance at prestigious This year is the Year of Natural Scotland so you’ll never forget. venues such as His Majesty’s Theatre, The Lemon why not soak up the gorgeous scenery of Royal Q Tree or the Music Hall.