The Best Aberdeenshire Attractions & Visitor Experiences

recommended places to visit and things to do throughout Aberdeenshire


Balmoral Castle

Ballater

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • royalty
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the Scottish home of the British Royal Family since Queen Victoria's time, with major Scottish works of art, and surrounded by extensive gardens

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • maritime heritage
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  • transport
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  • boats

A unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history, with displays on the North Sea oil and gas industry

Duff House

Banff

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • Historic Scotland
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

displaying a superb collection os Scottish and European art with works by Raeburn and Gainsborough with extensive grounds with a hidden ice house

  • leisure facility
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop

22 lifts and 36 runs set in stunning countryside. Chairlift open in July and August for walkers and mountain bikers

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • transport
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  • cars
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  • trucks

boasting an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800’s to some of the fastest cars ever made

  • garden
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • antiques
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  • history
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  • military history

relive the compelling and dramatic story of one of the British Army’s most famous regiments

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • science
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  • technology

Scotland’s first science and discovery centre with over 50 hands on interactive exhibits and live science shows, inspiring the scientist within and entertaining the whole family

  • art gallery
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  • open year round
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  • virtual tours
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • needlecraft

an important art collection featuring good examples of 19th, 10th and 21st century work and an exciting programme of special exhibitions

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • shop
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  • food & drink
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  • history

step down memory lane and drool over the manufacture of traditional Scottish sweets. Note the Royal Appointment sign. Sweets go to Balmoral

  • distillery
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • food & drink
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  • whisky
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  • history

originally called New Lochnagar, it was renamed following a royal visit, combining the traditional pagoda kiln heads and techniques, like the open mash tun

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
  • -
  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • food & drink
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

award-winning portrayal of regional farming history over the past 200 years and Hareshowe working farm

Arbuthnot Museum

Peterhead

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • geology
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  • history
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  • local history

local history, maritime collection, with Inuit artefacts and Arctic animals, Arbuthnot coin collection and temporary exhibitions. Excellent display

Braemar Castle

Ballater

  • fortress
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history

dating from the 17th Century and has now been taken over by the local community who offer guided tours of the historic apartments

Huntly Castle

Huntly

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • Historic Scotland
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  • shop

visit the seat of one of medieval and Renaissance Scotland’s most powerful families with displays of heraldic sculpture and inscribed stone friezes

  • fortress
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  • ruin
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • Historic Scotland
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

former stronghold of the Earls of Mar, and headquarters for organising the 1715 Jacobite rising. Family picnics welcome in the grounds

  • art gallery
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • art
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  • needlecraft

hosting a permanent display of paintings and prints by Royal Deeside artists Mary and Howard Butterworth with originals, prints, cards and wooden jigsaws for sale

  • fortress
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • Historic Scotland
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • history

noble residence said to be one of Grampian’s most picturesque castles. Amongst the lavish details are fine carvings. With family picnic area