What to see
Some visitor attractions are season and closed during the winter months (often October to March). Also remember that daylight is limited during mid-winter (it gets dark around by 4pm in December). But, the bonus is long summer evenings (with daylight until as late as 11pm during June/July). Also note that in Scotland smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public spaces.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Details of shows and exhibitions at Aberdeen City Council's website and Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums
Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre (AECC)
Venue for major exhibitions and concerts. Find out what's on at www.aecc.co.uk
Aberdeen Fun Beach
Aberdeenshire Farming Museum
At Mintlaw, near Peterhead. Details at http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/museums/farming.asp
Aberdeen Harbour
The new Marine Operations Centre on the north breakwater replaces the distinctive Roundhouse which has served as harbour control for more than 200 years. The design of the £4.5 million centre exhibits nautical themes with a design that suggests a traditional Scottish lighthouse support a ship's bow and bridge.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
First class museum of the sea including the fishing, shipbuilding and offshore oil industries. Aberdeen Art Galleries & Museums
Aberdeen Parks
Details of the parks and gardens in Aberdeen are at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Aberdeen Tolbooth Museum
Aberdeen Winter Gardens
Alford Valley Railway
Narrow gauge railway which runs from the Alford Station museum to Haughton Park pulled by Saccharin the steam engine.
Archaeolink
You will find Archaeolink north of Inverurie just off the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness Road. Follow the signs onto the B9002 at the "Oyne fork" junction. Full details of Archaeolink are at www.archaeolink.co.uk
Balmoral Castle
Royal Deeside – Balmoral the Royal Family's castle on Deeside, on the A93 west of Ballater. Open mid April to late July. Tel 013397 42334. www.balmoralcastle.com
Balvenie Castle
Balvenie may be best known as a whisky, but there is also Balvenie Castle – 13th century castle near Dufftown, last occupied in 1746. www.historic-scotland.net
Bennachie Visitor Centre
Bennachie holds a very special place in the hearts of the people of Aberdeenshire. With its distinctive profile, this former volcano has been immortalised in the song "At the Back o' Bennachie".
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins,
Whaur Gadie rins, whaur Gadie rins,
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins
At the back o' Bennachie.
Aince mair to hear the wild birds' sang,
To wander birks an' braes amang
Wi' friends and fav'rites left sae lang
At the back o' Bennachie.
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins,
Whaur Gadie rins, whaur Gadie rins,
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins
At the Back o' Bennachie.
Whaur Gadie rins, whaur Gadie rins,
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins
At the back o' Bennachie.
Aince mair to hear the wild birds' sang,
To wander birks an' braes amang
Wi' friends and fav'rites left sae lang
At the back o' Bennachie.
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins,
Whaur Gadie rins, whaur Gadie rins,
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins
At the Back o' Bennachie.
How mony a day in blithe Springtime,
How mony a day in Summer's prime
I've saunterin' whiled awa the time
On the heights o' Bennachie.
But fortune's flowers wi' thorns grow rife,
An' wealth is won wi' toil an' strife;
Gie me ae day o' youthfu' life At the back o' Bennachie.
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins,
Whaur Gadie rins, whaur Gadie rins,
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins
At the Back o' Bennachie.
How mony a day in Summer's prime
I've saunterin' whiled awa the time
On the heights o' Bennachie.
But fortune's flowers wi' thorns grow rife,
An' wealth is won wi' toil an' strife;
Gie me ae day o' youthfu' life At the back o' Bennachie.
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins,
Whaur Gadie rins, whaur Gadie rins,
O gin I were whaur Gadie rins
At the Back o' Bennachie.
The Blairs Museum
Set in the former Blairs College, on the B9077 South Deeside Road just west of Aberdeen. A former Roman Catholic college, Blairs Museum has a remarkable collection of embroidered vestments and church artefacts, plus a special exhibition on Mary Queen of Scots. Open May to October Tuesday to Sunday 12pm to 4pm. More details at www.blairs.net
Braemar Castle
Braemar Castle is an L-plan fortress dating from 1628. Tel 013397 41219
Cairngorms National Park
Mountain scenery, walking and recreation, with ski and winter sports during the winter. www.cairngorms.co.uk
There is a chairlift from the car park to the Ptarmigan restaurant near the summit and a recently-opened funicular railway. www.cairngormmountain.com
Cairness House
Canal - Aberdeenshire Canal
The ill-fated Aberdeen to Inverurie canal was the only canal in Aberdeenshire. It was completed in 1805 and passengers, agricultural produce, coal and fertiliser were taken along its 18 miles at the dizzy speed of eight miles an hour in boats towed by two horses. The days of the canal are recalled by Port Elphinstone, the canal terminus which is just soouth of Inverurie. A small part of the canal can still be seen here.
When the canal closed the railway company bought it and the route is now used for the Aberdeen to Inverness line.
Castle Fraser
Castlegate
Coastal Trail
Codona's Amusement Park
All the fun of the fair at Aberdeen Beach. White knuckle rides, funfairs and games. www.codonas.com
Corgarff Castle
Crathes Castle
Craigievar Castle
A fine example of Scottish Baronial architecture, Craigievar castle is said to be the inspiration for the Disney castles. It was completed in 1626 and is on the A980, six miles south of Alford. www.nts.org.uk
Crathie Church
Cruickshank Botanic Gardens
Aberdeen University's Cruickshank Botanic Garden is on St Machar Drive is open to the public from 9am to 4.30pm Mon to Frid and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from May to September. No admission charge, but no car park on site. www.abdn.ac.uk/pss/Garden/CBG.hti
Deeside Activity Park
Activity park with facilities for archery, off-road driving, hovercraft, JCB, quad biking, kart racing, orienteering, mountain biking, clay shooting, fly fishing and skiing. Restaurant and farm shop on site. Details and booking at www.howieirvine.com
Delgatie Castle
Near Turriff, Delgatie Castle has painted ceilings dating from the 16th century. There are also displays of paintings, armoury and Victorian clothes.
Deers Den Roman Camp
Although no-one really knows where the battle of Mons Graupius took place, some authorities believe that the battle of Mons Graupius - fought between the Romans and Caledonians in AD84 - took place on the north slopes of Bennachie. If so the Roman camp in Kintore would have been near the front line.
Dunnottar Castle
Duff House
There is a regular artistic programme and the house also has a tea room and shop. More details at www.duffhouse.com
Fyvie Castle
Eight miles south east of Turriff on the A947 Aberdeen to Banff Road, Fyvie castle has connections with Robert the Bruce. Its interiors are Edwardian and there is a superb collection of armour and armaments and a restored 1903 racquet court and bowling alley. www.nts.org.uk
Glenfiddich Distillery
Glover House
The house of Thomas Blake Glover is at 79 Balwownie Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Born in Fraserburgh in 1838, Glover was instrumental in establishing modern industry in Japan. A prime mover in the development of the development of the massive Mitsubishi corporation, the Scottish Samurai's house in Nagasaki attracts almost two million visitors a year. In his homeland his house is open only part time!
Golf
You could play a different golf course each day for more than a month, within an hour or so drive from Kintore. Start with Kintore Golf Club, of course!Gordon Highlanders Museum
An insight into the history of one of the British Army's most famous regiments.
The Gordon Highlanders Museum is on Viewfield Road, near the Anderson Drive Ring Road in Aberdeen. Take the A944 turning west along Queen's Road, then first left into Viewfield Road. The museum is near the bottom of the hill. www.gordonhighlanders.com Open from around March to October, see website for current opening times.
Grampian Transport Museum
Haddo House
Haddo House combines Victorian comfort with Georgian elegance. The house itself is bordered by rose gardens and a country park. Open daily late April to September. www.nts.org.uk
Hallforest Castle
A mile to the south-west of Kintore stand the ruins of Hallforest Castle, built in the 13th or 14th Century. It was a hunting castle which took its name from the great forest in which King James IV hunted. The forest, which lay between Kintore and Kemnay, is also recalled in street names such as Forest Road, Tom's Forest.
Mary Queen of Scots is known to have stayed at Hallforest in 1562. It is said that it was built by Bruce and was a former stronghold of the Keith earls of Kintore, now the property of the Earl of Kintore. An oblong keep 48 feet by 30 feet, the walls are around seven foot thick and the castle in its current ruined state stands around 60 feet.
His Majesty's Theatre
The statue in the foreground is William Wallace.
Huntly Castle
Also known as Strathbogie Castle, this ruin stands on the banks of the River Deveron. Its history dates from a Norman fortress to a 17th century palace. There are remains of a 12th century motte and bailey, a mediaeval L-plan tower house and defence works from the civil war. www.historic-scotland.net
Kildrummy Castle
The ruins of a 13th century stone courtyard castle which was dismantled after the first Jacobite rising in 1715. In addition to the castle there are nearby gardens. Kildrummy Castle is on the A994 from Alford to Strathdon. www.historic-scotland.net
Kings College
Kirkhill Forest Trail Quest
Orienteering on a bicycle. Open dawn till dusk every day. No admission charge. Start from the Mountjoy car park at Kirkhill Forest - it's on the North side of the A96 trunk road from Aberdeen to Inverness, about two miles beyond the Dyce Airport turnoff. Allow half a day for the full quest.
Lecht Ski Centre
Between Strathdon and Grantown on Spey, the Lecht Ski Centre offers winter and summer activities.
Lighthouse Museum
Based in the old lighthouse at Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh this museum looks at the history of Scottish Lighthouses over the past 200 years. Open April to October Mon-Sat 10am to 6pm, Sunday Noon to 6pm. November to March Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm, Sun 12noon to 4pm. Tel 01346 511022 to check times. www.historic-scotland.net
Macduff Marine Aquarium
Marischal College
Within Marischal College is Marischal Museum which is open Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm and Sun 2pm - 5pm. Exhibits include "Encyclopaedia of the North East" and "Collecting from the World". Admission is free. www.abdn.ac.uk/marischal_museum
Nave Nortrail
Old Aberdeen
From there walk down the cobbled street to the Old Town House, from there take the Chanonry to St Machar Cathedral (see below). In daytime, head north through the park or the riverside walk to the ancient Brig o'Balgownie and the delightful little cluster of houses and cottages around it.
Peacock Visual Arts
A registered educational charity, Peacock Visual Arts includes printmaking, photography, exhibitions and projects among its events. Full details at www.peacockvisualarts.co.uk
Pictish Symbol Stones
There are a number of Pictish Symbol stones throughout the North East. One of the easiest to get is in the Royal Burgh of Kintore, near The Square with its 18th century Town House. The stone is in the kirk yard and dates from the 6th or 7th century. It is unusual in that it has symbols on both faces.
Pitmeden Garden and Museum of Farming Life
Provost Skene's House
Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society Visitor Centre
Recently opened visitor centre housed in two railway carriages at Milton of Crathes (on the A93 Aberdeen to Braemar road opposite the entrance to Crathes Castle). Open 11am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday only for the summer. www.deeside-railway.co.ukRoyal Lochnagar Distillery
Royal Lochnagar is at Crathie, near Balmoral Castle, this distillery was established in 1845. Information and opening times.
Salmon fishing
Salmon fishing takes place on all the main rivers in the the area, but probably the most famous is the River Dee. Details of salmon fishing on royal Deeside can be found at www.fishdee.co.uk
Satrosphere
Innovative hands-on science centre now in the old tram sheds at Aberdeen beach. Details www.satrosphere.net
Speyside Cooperage
At Speyside Cooperage see whisky barrels being prepared to mature whisky. Exhibition and audio visual in six languages. Gift shop.
St Machar's Cathedral
Storybook Glen
Storybook Glen is a day out for the children with their favourite storybook characters, just a few miles west of Aberdeen on the South Deeside Road at Maryculter.
Strathisla Distillery
Strathisla distillery in Keith is open seven days from April to October 10am to 4pm Mon-Sat, 12.30pm- 4pm Sunday. Children under eight cannot be admitted to the production areas. www.chivas.com
Sunset Boulevard
Twenty lanes of Cosmic Ten-Pin Bowling, an American pool area, Lounge Bar, Rambo's Children's Adventure Land, the Games Deck video arcade, Caesar's Games Emporium , Super Dodgem's, restaurants and bars www.codonas.com
Thainstone Agricultural Centre
Agricultural Mart, auctions, Sunday car boot sales, exhibitions and entertainment. Details at www.goanm.co.uk
Tolquhon Castle
Now a ruin, the castle was built in the 15th century. Open April to September daily, then weekends only. www.historic-scotland.net
Town House
Transition Extreme
Transition extreme sports centre located at Aberdeen Beach and housing a huge indoor skatepark, a dramatic 15m high climbing centre, "2 on 2" basketball court, cafe and recreation areas, band practice studios, a major visitor centre and three leading retailers.
Whisky Trail
The Whisky Trail is a great day-trip. The area around Speyside has the world's greatest concentration of whisky distilleries, producing famous Scotch single malt whiskies like Glenfiddich, The Macallan, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet and Royal Lochnagar beside Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside.
The Whisky Trail is a great day-trip. The area around Speyside has the world's greatest concentration of whisky distilleries, producing famous Scotch single malt whiskies like Glenfiddich, The Macallan, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet and Royal Lochnagar beside Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside.
No public money is harmed in the running of this website. The costs of kintore.org.uk are entirely supported by the advertising on the site (please do use the links!) and by the volunteers who give their time and provide information for it.