Northern Aberdeenshire

This part of Aberdeenshire consists of fertile agricultural plains and a mainly sandy coastline with many fishing villages.  There are a couple of attractions inland, such as the 18th century Haddo House designed by William Adam, near Ellon, and the haunted Scottish baronial Fyvie Castle south of Turriff.

On the east coast, lies Forvie National Nature Reserve (off the A975, 15 miles north of Aberdeen) where a wide variety of bird species can be viewed amongst the extensive dunes.  Eight miles north are the sandy Bay of Cruden and the 245-foot deep sea chasm Bullers of Buchan.  Peterhead used to be a thriving fishing town prior to EU fishing restrictions and now relies on tourism and the oil industry.  Places to visit include the Peterhead Maritime Heritage, the Arbuthnot Museum and the Ugie Salmon Fish House.  Nine miles inland west of Mintlaw are the 230-acre Aden Country Park and the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum.

Fraserburgh's fishing industry specialises in shellfish.  Visitor attractions include the 16th century Fraserburgh Castle, the Scottish Lighthouse Museum, Fraserburgh Heritage Centre and Maggie's Hoosie, a traditional fishwife's cottage 4 miles east of the town.

There are many picturesque fishing villages along the coast west of Fraserburgh including Pennan, the location for the film Local Hero, Gardenstown, Crovie and Portsoy.  Macduff and Banff are popular seaside resorts and attractions include Duff House, designed by William Adam in the 18th century (and which now houses an art gallery with an extensive collection of Scottish art), and the Macduff Marine Aquarium.  Spey Bay, west of Buckie, has a wildlife centre focusing on the Moray Firth dolphins.

Situated a few miles inland, Elgin is a market town which has a ruined 13th century cathedral and old museum with the 13th century Pluscarden Abbey 7 miles south-west of the town.  Lossiemouth is a seaside resort with sandy beaches, 5 miles north of Elgin with the imposing Spynie Palace nearby which has terrific views from David's Tower, the largest in Scotland.  Findhorn, on the coast west of Lossiemouth, is the location of the Findhorn Foundation, an international spiritual community which offers retreats and a wide range of courses. 

Seventeen miles south of Elgin is Dufftown around which are located seven whisky distilleries and the Glenfiddich Distillery Visitor Centre is in the north of the town.  East of Dufftown is Huntly and the 16th century Huntly Castle, former home of the Gordon clan.

Information
There is a tourist office in Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh, Duff House in Banff, High Street in Elgin, the main square in Dufftown and the High Street in Forres.  Hotels in the area include the Palace Hotel in Peterhead, the County Hotel in Banff,  Seafield Hotel and Royal Oak Hotel in Cullen, the Boyne Hotel in Portsoy, Spey Bay Hotel, the Castle Hotel in Huntly, Mannersfield Hotel in Elgin and the Craigellachie and Archiestown Hotels in Craigellachie.  Restaurants include the Pennan Inn (Pennan), the County Hotel (Banff), the Tappas del Mundo and Toscana (both in Elgin), and La Faisanderie and Taste of Speyside (both in Dufftown).