Kincardine O’Neil is under 10 miles from two of the more spectacular castles on the Castle Trail. Craigievar Castle with its tall fairy-tale turrets stands in splendid isolation just as it did when built in the early 17th Century. Crathes Castle, dating from much earlier also has one of the country’s greatest gardens. Other stops on the trail include Drum Castle, Castle Fraser, Kildrummy Castle, Leith Hall, Huntly Castle, Duff House, Delgatie Castle, Fyvie and Tolquhon Castles and Haddo House.
This signposted trail takes one from Fettercairn, over the spectacular Cairn o’Mount Road (B974) into Deeside and then up to Balmoral which is Her Majesty the Queen’s summer home. The trail covers the historic house of Fasque, two whisky distilleries, some wonderful views, a remote highland glen and, of course, Balmoral Castle which is open until mid-summer closure so that the Royal Family may enjoy their summer holiday in relative solitude.
For a longer drive Kincardine O’Neil lies just 25 miles or so from the coast at Stonehaven. The Coastal Trail takes you to the cliffs at Fowlsheugh with their amazing colony of nesting sea-birds – puffins, razorbills, guillemots and kittywakes by the thousand; to the astonishing Dunottar Castle, standing alone and invulnerable on its rocky promontory; and north past Aberdeen to picturesque fishing villages nestling amongst cliffs on Aberdeenshire’s north coast.
The only trail of its kind in the world. Set in the heart of stunning Speyside, this trail takes in seven world-famous working distilleries, one historic distillery and the fascinating Speyside Cooperage. Speyside is famous for its wonderful whisky and is often called ‘Malt Whisky Country’. It’s home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries, making it the ideal place to discover more about this ancient art. The area is one of Scotland’s five whisky regions.
The North East 250 explores everything for which Scotland is famous in a unique Scottish road trip taking you through the whisky distilleries of Speyside, the spectacular mountain passes of the Cairngorms National Park, the famous castles of Royal Deeside, the Granite City of Aberdeen, the rugged North Sea coastline to the east, and the picturesque seaside villages of the Moray Firth Coast.
Ckick on pictures or titles above for more information.