WELCOME TO ABERDEEN & ABERDEENSHIRE www.visitabdn.com @visitabdn | #visitABDN Day 1 - Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire Coast ITINERARY Thinking of a roadtrip in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire but torn between the Snow Roads and NE250. Why not do both? Here’s the 48 hour road trip you’ve got to do. i Old Aberdeen Start your trip in Old Aberdeen - one of Aberdeen’s favourite hidden gems. Step back in time as you visit the Brig O’Balgownie, Seaton Park and the characteristic Chanory. i Lunch at BrewDog DogWalk Aberdeenshire is the home of BrewDog - where the global craft beer producer’s story started. Grab a bite to eat at the DogTap restaurant on your way north along the NE250. If you have time make sure to check out the DogWalk brewery tour. It not only takes in the original brew-house but also includes the epic new expanded site three brew-house, Lone Wolf Distillery. i Peterhead 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. Kinnaird Head Lighthouse was the very first lighthouse to be built on mainland Scotland in 1787. i Gardenstown 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. Learn about the local history of the harbour, the fishing fleet and the fish wives at Gardenstown Heritage Centre. 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: Royal Deeside ITINERARY i Duff House Start your day at 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 Ballater Station Travel through the gorgeous Aberdeenshire countryside on your way to Ballater, less than 90 minutes drive away. At the centre of Ballater is a beautiful wooden building that was formerly the Royal Railway Station. The station was the final stopping point for the Royal Family when heading to Balmoral Castle. Ravaged by a fire in May 2015, the historic station re-opened in August 2018. i Lunch at The Rothesay Rooms Could you imagine having dinner at HRH Prince Charles’ house? Well this is as close as it gets. In 2015 when storms damaged Ballater, the Prince wanted to support the local community and opened a new restaurant and luxury gift shop to help rejuvenate the area. i Royal Lochnagar Neighbour to Balmoral Castle, Royal Lochnagar Distillery’s canny owner, John Begg invited Prince Albert to visit the distillery in 1848. Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their three eldest children visited and following the visit bestowed a By Royal Appointment warrant. It remains one of the finest distilleries in Aberdeenshire. 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. i Overnight stay at Maryculter House Hotel Head back to Aberdeen for an evening at Maryculter House Hotel - one of the most famous and historic hotels in Aberdeen located on the banks of the River Dee and overlooking the golf course of Peterculter. 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. 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. .