Discover Aberdeenshire: Coast, Nature and Heritage

Aberdeenshire combines a long North Sea coastline with dune landscapes, wildlife watching and historic places. Across 208 kilometres, golden sandy beaches alternate with dramatic stretches of rocky and pebbled shoreline. Inland, trails, castles and cultural routes also offer different ways to shape your trip. Which ones you focus on can influence your plans and choice of hotel location.

Coast, dunes and wildlife watching

At Forvie National Nature Reserve, internationally important coastal habitats span almost 1,000 hectares between the North Sea and the mouth of the River Ythan. Sand dunes and dune heath define the landscape. Forvie is also home to Scotland’s largest mainland colony of terns and black-headed gulls, as well as Scotland’s largest gathering of grey seals at rest. The Dune Trail runs through the Ythan estuary, across the dunes and along the beach, bringing several of the reserve’s defining landscape features together on one route.

Troup Head is also known for its coastal birdlife: gannets, common guillemots and razorbills nest on the cliffs. At Balmedie Beach, a 1,700-metre boardwalk leads from the main car park into a dune landscape with views of the beach. The paths through Forvie’s estuary, dunes and beach, and the boardwalk at Balmedie, reveal different coastal scenery; you can choose between them based on the landscapes that interest you most.

Trails and inland nature

The Gordon Way is 18.5 kilometres, or 11½ miles, long and passes through woodland, farmland and moorland. It begins or ends at the Bennachie Visitor Centre. Nearby, a wildlife-watching area offers the chance to spot squirrels and various bird species, among other wildlife. Bennachie also offers wildlife watching, archaeological traces and panoramic views from its distinctive peaks. These features complement one another, but each is a different reason to explore the landscape around Bennachie.

Six waymarked trails cross the grounds of Crathes Castle. Along the way, you may spot roe deer, squirrels, woodpeckers, buzzards and herons, among other wildlife. You can combine wildlife watching with a visit to the castle: Crathes Castle dates from the 16th century and is known for its painted ceilings and oak panelling. If you are more interested in open coastal scenery, Forvie and Troup Head offer a different focus from the trails around Bennachie or Crathes.

History, harbours and whisky

Several routes bring Aberdeenshire’s history to life on the ground. The Peterhead Trail uses 26 information panels to tell more than 400 years of the town’s history. The Historic Harbours Trail visits twelve of the oldest harbours in Aberdeenshire, while the Historic Churches Trail takes in twelve historic churches. The Bennachie Colony Trail crosses open woodland and passes the ruins of houses and fields belonging to the Bennachie colonists. You can choose between town history, maritime heritage, churches and traces of earlier settlement.

Whisky is also among the experiences on offer in the region. Glen Garioch offers a 1.5-hour distillery tour with a tasting of three different bottlings of Glen Garioch Highland Single Malt Whisky, as well as an experience featuring an exclusive individual cask bottling from the distillery. Fettercairn Distillery offers a range of guided visitor experiences, which end with a tutored tasting of selected Fettercairn whiskies. Offers can change; check booking details before travelling. The Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire guide also features eight distilleries.

Local produce and visitor ideas

At farmers’ markets in Aberdeenshire, you can meet local producers and hear the stories behind their diverse products. Market locations and dates can change; check the latest information before your visit. Macduff Marine Aquarium features native marine life and local exhibitions, with its central tank forming part of the visitor experience. A redesign may change the exhibitions, so it is worth checking what is on display before your visit.

When planning your trip, you can start by deciding whether coastal scenery and wildlife watching, trails, historic places or local produce should be your main focus. Choose the themes that appeal to you and shape the rest of your plans around them.

Discover more destinations: New Deer, Monymusk, Inchmarlo, Gourdon, Johnshaven, Pitmedden, Tyrie, Tarland, New Aberdour, Kincardine O'Neil, Inverallochy, Inverbervie, Whitehills, Turriff, Tarves, Macduff, Huntly, Fordyce, Gardenstown, Plaidy, Lumphanan, Hatton of Fintray, Marykirk, Port Elphinstone, Strichen, Kintore, Portsoy, Peterhead, Newburgh, Inverurie, Banff, Ballater, Aboyne, Chapel Of Garioch, Logie, Banchory, Braemar, Rosehearty, Stonehaven, Balmedie, Kirkton Of Skene, Portlethen, Dinnet, Ellon, Fettercairn, Fraserburgh, Newmachar, Alford, Auchenblae, Peterculter, Cruden Bay, Insch, Kemnay, Longside, Bridge Of Don, Milltimber, Westhill, Mintlaw, Aberchirder, Aberdeen, Strathdon and St Cyrus.

For the broader travel overview: Scotland.