Top Things to do in Aberdeenshire
Top Hotels in Aberdeenshire
- 1. Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport, an IHG Hotel
- 2. Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel
- 3. Premier Inn Aberdeen City Centre hotel
- 4. Malmaison Aberdeen
- 5. Travelodge Aberdeen Central
- 6. Ibis Aberdeen Centre
- 7. Bogenraith House
- 8. Jurys Inn Aberdeen
- 9. Premier Inn Aberdeen Airport (Dyce) hotel
- 10. Atholl Hotel
Countries
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Discover the best top things to do in Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom including Dunnottar Castle, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Slains Castle, Craigievar Castle, Footdee (Fittie), King's College Chapel, Marischal College, Pitmedden Garden & Museum of Farming Life, The Tolbooth Museum.
Restaurants in Aberdeenshire
1. Dunnottar Castle
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,128 reviews
Majestic 14th-century castle located on a rugged cliff overlooking the coast.
Reviewed By _sw5555_ - Vancouver, Canada
There's no mistaken that this is one of the top castle ruins, with an unique location and windy ocean views. Depending on the day, you may descent the hillside and climb into the ruins with a piper playing in the background. And with the likes of King Charles II making an appearance (who actually stayed overnight), the Scottish crown jewels too, and a legend involving William Wallace burning the English encampment, this place is just like Scotland crystallized.
2. Crathes Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
This beautiful castle dates back to 1563 and is rumored to be haunted.
Reviewed By frankinkstain - Paisley, United Kingdom
Lovely walk round the grounds and formal gardens on Hogmany in lovely winter sun, finished off with lunch at cafe
3. Fyvie Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 361 reviews
The charm of Fyvie ranges from its 13th-century origins to its stunning Edwardian interiors. The castle is home to a superb collection of arms, armour and paintings, including works by Raeburn and Gainsborough. Stroll around the picturesque loch, or visit the restored 1903 racquet court and bowling alley. Ghosts, legends and folklore are all woven into the tapestry of Fyvie Castle's 800-year history. Tradition claims that the castle's five successive families - Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Forbes-Leith - each added a tower to this magnificent Scottish Baronial fortress. You can see their influences today among the medieval stones and the lavish Edwardian interiors, and imagine what castle life must have been like for the families and their royal guests - among them Robert the Bruce, Edward I and Charles I.
Reviewed By TransilvanienB - Stromness, United Kingdom
This National Trust-owned, ancient, formerly Royal Castle is very big with a grand exterior but still retains a somewhat homely feel. It is filled with old portraits, lovely old tapestries and fine antique furniture. The rooms are all very impressive both large and small. Highlights include a hidden chamber, the scene of a murder, a clan battle, Jacobites, and ghostly writing. Several families have owned the castle and all left their fascinating history here. King Charles I lived there as a boy. The castle is in beautiful rolling green countryside and has lovely gardens. There is a cafe and a shop. The guides and staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. This castle is well worth a visit though young children may tire of it as the tour is quite long.
4. Slains Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Erected in 1597, this is one of the most famous castle ruins in Scotland, and was used by Bram Stoker as the inspiration for the castle of the evil vampire in his most famous supernatural tale "Dracula."
Reviewed By spgk - Espoo, Finland
Whilst I had seen a few photos beforehand, we were impressed with what we found - and it´s free! Getting there - I followed my sat nav using the postcode AB42 0NE, which I found online. However, this took us to a small residential road of Castle Street in Cruden Bay. There was no sign of any castle so we consulted some online maps. I parked the car in Castle Street at the junction with Castle Woods. We had a lovely walk on a farm track through some fields until we met a small road leading to the castle. It´s possible to drive right up to the castle if you take the A975 and take the turning into a small track road about 1 km from Cruden Bay. We were lucky with the weather so the ruins overlooking the sea looked amazing. We liked the fact that you could explore the ruins without fences - at your own risk. We found it a better experience than many of the overpriced tourist castles. However, the ruins sit on the clifftop and there are no safety fences. For that reason I would NOT recommend it for young children or dogs. Otherwise, well worth a visit.
5. Craigievar Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
17th-century castle owned by the same family for over 350 years. Open April to September; access is by guided tours only. There are steep spiral stairs to the upper floors. A stunning castle in a wonderful setting, said to be the inspiration for Disney's castles.
Reviewed By 604colins - Derby, United Kingdom
A lovely old tower house converted to a fairly modern house. comfortable for the owners but with stairs linking the rooms. you can only visit with a guided tour and i think you need more time to take it all in and see everything properly. however it still worth a visit just to see how such tall narrow house were used and what the owners managed to do with them.
6. Footdee (Fittie)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,053 reviews
Reviewed By margaretmH3052CO - Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
This is like going back in time. You wouldn't think you were in Aberdeen. The houses are like little cottages, and just by the sea, and the people who live in them get a great view of Aberdeen beach and the sea, and wild Dolphins putting on a show. Very quaint homes with a lovely Nautical appeal to them. Very quiet too, but expensive to buy.
7. King's College Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By WienerTravels - Hamilton, Canada
Kings College Chapel is a beautiful Chapel that dates back to the 15th Century. We walked to it from the City Center which took about 35 minutes and is a pleasant walk. In addition to the Chapel, spend some extra time walking around the University grounds it's located on.
8. Marischal College
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By Yes2scotland - Port Dover, Canada
This building is fantastic outside and in. Check the role call of who graduated from this institute. So much history.
9. Pitmedden Garden & Museum of Farming Life
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Brilliant design and meticulous maintenance give Pitmedden Garden its unique charm. With almost 6 miles of clipped box hedging, the parterres at the heart of the garden are a masterpiece of intricate patterns and sparkling colours. The Great Garden dates back to 1675 when it was originally laid out by Sir Alexander Seton. In the 1950s the Trust re-created the garden based on 17th-century plans of the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. An orchard planted in 2014 is packed with more than 200 fruit trees. With honeysuckle and jasmine also casting their scent in the garden, Pitmedden really is a delight for the senses. Last Admission at 4pm.
Reviewed By BrianP514 - Cupar, United Kingdom
We were delighted that the gardens had reopened. While the pattered had not been planted with annuals this year, the herbaceous borders were still looking excellent and the fruit trees on the walls, outstanding. The staff were especially welcoming and friendly. Thanks National Trust for Scotland.
10. The Tolbooth Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
Reviewed By countrygal301 - Ottawa, Canada
A fun and informative museum. Lots of interesting information in a free venue. A word lots of climbing up and down cramped staircases.
