North East Scotland is a tourist region on the North Sea between the gulfs to the south and north.
To know
A land of magnificent castles, of whiskey distilleries of ancient tradition, of valleys crossed by rivers where salmon fishing is practiced, northeastern Scotland will not disappoint those who intend to visit it. On the coast is its largest city, the port of Aberdeen, which received a major industrial boost after the discovery of oil fields in the facing North Sea. From Aberdeen going up the roads for the hinterland occupied largely by the Grampian mountains, you can visit the castle of Balmoral, part of the assets of the crown and those of the neighboring valleys, Craigievar, Kildrummy is Corgarff, just to name a few. Once you have completed the tour of the castles, you can head for the valley of the Spey river, whose waters guarantee the best quality of whiskey.
Territories and tourist destinations
Counties of Perth and Kinross
On the way to Inverness (A-9) places to stop are Dunkeld with an interesting cathedral and Pitlochry, a summer resort with numerous possibilities for excursions to the surrounding mountains and lakes.
If instead he gives Perth we take the A93 for Aberdeen, we will go through Blairgowrie and the ski resort of Glenshee. We will then enter the Grampian region described below.
The centers of Moray
Centers on the Aberdeenshire coast
- Fraserburgh & Peterhead - Two fishing ports north of Aberdeen
- Stonehaven - 25 km south of Aberdeen, Stonehaven is a resort town.
Dundee County
- Dundee - University town near which there is a famous castle, that of Glamis. The Tay Railway Bridge is an 1888 railway and road bridge that spans the Gulf of Tay, shortening the journey by a lot. Edinburgh
- Montrose - Industrial port
- Arbroath —
- Carnoustie —
Tayside
- Tayside - The territory along the river Tay and its tributaries.
How to get
How to get around
What see
Itineraries
Malt Whiskey Trail
To go around the distilleries, a specific tourist route has been coined, the "Malt Whiskey Trail" [1] of 113 km. The Scottish Pure Malt Whiskey Route (unblendend = not mixed) takes place along the valley of the river Spey (Speyside) and those of its tributaries, whose waters are the only ones able to guarantee the excellent quality of the product. The river has its sources in Loch Laggan, in Highlands, about sixty km south of Inverness. Little more than a stream in its initial stretch, it acquires impetuosity thanks to the contribution of numerous tributaries. The Spey is also very popular for salmon fishing. Among the many distilleries that meet along the way we limit ourselves to listing the four most famous:
- Glenlivet Distillery - Along the way between Tomintoul is Grantown-on-Spey, the distillery is perhaps the most famous of the route.
- Glenfarclas Distillery www.glenfarclas.co.uk - Close to Ballindalloch, Glenfarclas is one of the few still traditional malt distilleries. It was established in 1836.
- Glenfiddich Distillery - Family owned, the Glenfiddich is the most renowned of the many distilleries in Dufftown
- Strathisla Distillery - Founded in 1784, Strathisla is the oldest distillery on the route. It is located in Keith
- Tamdhu Distillery
- Dalwhinnie Distillery
The Grampian Mountains
The A93 touches Braemar is Ballater, two places where tourists who intend to visit Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the royal family, stay overnight. Ballater is best placed to visit the castles described in the following itinerary. About thirty km before reaching Aberdeen there is Crathes Castle of the sixteenth century and surrounded by magnificent gardens.
From Aberdeen to Grantown-on-Spey (A 944 & A939)This itinerary which partly follows the course of the Don River allows you to see another group of magnificent castles.
Exited from Aberdeen the first castle you come across is that of Fraset from the early 1700s and with luxurious interiors from the Victorian era. We then arrive at Alford in the vicinity of which stands the 17th century Craigievar Castle. Proceeding towards the village of Mossat are the ruins of a 13th century castle, that of Kildrummy. After Strathdon the A-944 merges with the A-939. Turning right we will meet Corgarff Castle. Beyond lies the small ski resort of Leht and the village of Tomintoul, a handful of stone houses on the eastern edge of Cairngorms National Park which often gets stuck in winter. The next stop is Grantown-on-Spey, the major center on the whiskey itinerary described below.