Aberdeen, Scotland’s third most populous city is well known for its glistening granite buildings. The Marischal College located on Broad Street is in fact said to be the second largest granite building in the world. These mighty grey buildings are a stark contrast to the Aberdeen beach and promenade. You can go from wandering along the city streets to enjoying an ice cream by the sea in only a matter of minutes.
The further you venture out from the city the more gems that await your discovery. Whether you head in the direction of the coast or drive inland, it won’t take you long before you will find yourself encompassed by the beauty of the vast landscapes or standing just feet away from the crashing waves against the craggy rocks.
The hundreds of ruined castles that are tucked away within the shire, tell of a blood-stained history; charming fishing villages evoke images of trawlers arriving at dawn with the day’s catch; and prehistoric forts and stone circles remind us that early man’s fingerprint has never truly left the county. All, of course, infused with centuries of proud Scottish traditions, heritage, and customs.
Aberdeenshire is also home to a wealth of wildlife, from the puffins and kittiwakes that cluster on the craggy cliffs in the east, to the rarely seen red squirrels and deer that inhabit the Caledonian pine forests in the west. The area is also one of the best places in the country to witness marine life at play, with dolphins, seals, and the occasional minke whale, freely inhabiting the waters along the Banffshire coast.
So let’s explore just some of the gems that Aberdeenshire has to offer, where hopefully you will enjoy discovering these atmospheric locations for yourself or decide to revisit again.