Aberdeenshire and Moray
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-> Aberdeenshire and Moray
Aberdeenshire and Moray cover some 3500 square miles of open and varied country dotted with historic and archeological sights, from neat National Trust for Scotland properties and eerie prehistoric rings of standing stones to quiet kirkyards, serene abbeys and a rash of dramatic castles. Geographically, the counties break down into two distinct areas: the hinterland, once barren and now a patchwork of fertile farms, rising towards high mountains, sparkling rivers and gentle valleys; and the coast, a classic stretch of rocky cliff, remote fishing villages and long, sandy beaches.
The large city of Aberdeen is the obvious focal point of the region, and while it's not a place to keep you engrossed for long, it does boast some intriguing architecture, attractive museums and a lively social scene. From here, it's a short hop west to Deeside, visited annually by the Royal Family and an easily accessed gateway to some spectacular mountain scenery. To the north lies the Don Valley, a quiet area which leads into the Cairngorms at the Lecht, a remote mountain pass where there's a skiing centre in winter, and Speyside, the heart of Scotland's malt whisky industry. Further north, the coast offers some dramatic scenery, punctuated by picturesque villages left almost unchanged by the centuries.
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