- Heritage

Balmoral Castle (grounds & Exhibitions)

Scottish home to The Royal Family. Ballroom, grounds and exhibitions, large cafe seating 120, quality gift shop. Excellent for coaches and groups. Holiday cottages, salmon fishing, Land Rover safaris and activity holidays…

Cairness House

Cairness is Scotland’s most extraordinary neoclassical house, recently brought back to life in a major restoration. Its exquisite interiors include the earliest Egyptian room in Britain, full of mysterious symbols. The house now contains one of the finest collections of furniture and paintings in the North East…

Craig Castle

The Castle is built round a courtyard and consists of a 16th century L-shaped Keep, a Georgian house (architect John Adam) and a 19th century addition (architect Archibald Simpson of Aberdeen). The Castle was a Gordon stronghold for 300 years. It has a very fine collection of coats-of-arms…

Craigston Castle

Built in 1607 by John Urquhart Tutor of Cromarty, Craigston bears the marks of a client’s brief rather than an architect’s whim, which seems to belong to that strange slightly Gothic world. Few changes have been made to its exterior in its 400 years. A sculpted balcony unique in Scottish architecture depicts a piper, two grinning knights and David and Goliath. The interior dates from the early 19th century. Remarkable carved oak panels of Scottish kings’ biblical heroes, mounted in doors and shutters of the early 17th century…

Cruickshank Botanic Garden

Extensive collection of shrubs, herbaceous and alpine plants and trees. Rock and water gardens…

Delgatie Castle

"Best Visitor Experience" Award Winner. Dating from 1030 the Castle is steeped in Scottish history yet still has the atmosphere of a lived in home. It has some of the finest painted ceilings in Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots’ bed-chamber, armour, Victorian clothes, fine furniture and paintings are displayed. Widest turnpike stair of its kind in Scotland. Clan Hay Centre. 17th best place in Britain for afternoon tea…

Drummuir Castle

Castellated Victorian Gothic-style castle built in 1847 by Admiral Duff. 60ft high lantern tower with fine plasterwork. Family portraits, interesting artefacts and other paintings…

Duff House

One of the most imposing and palatial houses in Scotland, with a strong classical facade and a grand staircase leading to the main entrance…

Kildrummy Castle Garden

Ancient quarry, shrub and alpine gardens renowned for their interest and variety. Water gardens below ruined castle…

Lickleyhead Castle

A beautifully restored Laird’s Castle, Lickleyhead was built by the Leslies c1450 and extensively renovated in 1629 by John Forbes of Leslie, whose initials are carved above the entrance. It is an almost unspoilt example of the transformation from ‘Chateau-fort’ to ‘Chateau-maison’ and boasts many interesting architectural features…