Further afield

The Moray Coast for Great dolphin watching in Scotland

The Moray Firth is a very special place - home to one of only three resident bottlenose dolphin populations in the United Kingdom. There are thought to be approximately 130 dolphins living in this part of Scotland and they can be seen in the Moray Firth all year round. However, during the winter months, the population is spread out over a wider area - so your best chance of seeing dolphins is from about May to September.

During the summer dolphin watchers can see herds of 15 or more leaping from the water near the shore.

There are many places in the Moray Firth where dolphins can be spotted from land - Chanonry Point (probably one of the best places), North Kessock, Cromarty, Fort George, Nairn, Lossiemouth, Spey Bay, Cullen etc. But don't forget to take warm clothes, waterproofs & sunscreen - the weather can change quickly here in Scotland! Binoculars would also be useful & you do need to be patient! But it is definitely worth the wait.

Alternatively, there are many companies offering dolphin-watching boat trips in the Moray Firth. Choose an operator that is registered with the Dolphin Space Programme - this means that the company has agreed to a code of conduct in order to minimise their impact on the dolphins. There is never a guarantee you will see dolphins on a boat trip - as they range in a very large area, but the coastline is quite spectacular and there is plenty of other wildlife to see.

Royal Deeside

In the heart of Scotland lies the magnificent valley of the River Dee. Rising high in the Cairngorm Mountains, overlapping the Cairngorms National Park, and running east to its mouth at Aberdeen the river flows through some of Scotland's finest scenery. Midway, in the shadow of Lochnagar mountain, lies royal Balmoral Castle, summer home of the Royal Family. Hence the name Royal Deeside.

The Dee runs west to east and is mostly bounded on both north and south by high hills with few passes. The castles of Deeside offered their owners control of east-west travellers in the valley and north-south travellers using the mountain passes. Now those castles provide fascinating visits while the passes are used by walkers enjoying the wonderful surroundings. Those open to the public are Braemar, Balmoral, Crathes (with its world-famous gardens) and Drum, the latter two being National Trust for Scotland properties. On the edges of Royal Deeside there are several more castles including Corgarth, Craigievar and the ruins of Dunnottar Castle.To these can be added three magnificent buildings, easily visible but not open to the public, Mar Lodge, Invercauld House (sometimes known as the Castle of Invercauld) and Abergeldie Castle. Between them they offer a sample of the best to be found in Scotland.
Beautiful Royal Deeside is a holiday playground unequalled in Scotland. Comprising fine Grampian mountains, attractive woodlands and delightful rural scenery it is a mecca for the walker, climber or wanderer. A wide range of sporting activities are available whether you like a challenge or relaxation. Ski or climb in fine mountains; Golf or fish in beautiful surroundings; hang-gliding or 4x4 rides etc.  Add in the nearby castles and distilleries and you have the ideal place for a holiday break. The majestic River Dee flowing past Braemar Castle, royal Balmoral Castle and Crathes Castle on its way to Aberdeen offers the finest salmon fishing. (The beauty spots of Linn of Dee and the Bridge of Feugh both offer the opportunity to see salmon jumping.) There are numerous excellent golf courses and Braemar Golf Course is the highest 18 hole course in Britain. In the south-west is Glenshee Ski Centre, the home of the largest ski centre in Scotland.

There are four major nature reserves: ancient Morrone Birkwood, Glen Muick, Glen Tanar and the Muir of Dinnet. Some of the finest vestiges of the ancient Caledonian woodlands are to be found here. And, of course, such nature reserves lead to a wonderful variety of wildlife.

Lovely towns and villages of Royal Deeside, mostly built from the local granite stone, - from the mountain-surrounded Braemar to the thriving town of Banchory. Ballater, with its fascinating former Royal station, and Aboyne, with its magnificent village green.. The ancient village of Kincardine O' Neil with its terrace-lined main street.

Lots of events both big and small. See the world-famous Braemar Gathering and Highland Games. Take part in Royal Deeside Walking Week. Dress up for Victoria Week and more.

Heritage trails
Four of the very best and most famous tourist trails in Scotland

Grampian Malt Whisky Trail
France has its Rhone wines, where the place-names along the river valley read like a wine list. Similarly in Scotland, the valley of the River Spey produces famous malt whiskies. As you travel here, signposts point to the best places to enjoy the art of distilling.

More than half Scotland's distilleries are close to the River Spey in Moray and the best of these are linked together in Scotland's unique Malt Whisky Trail. A journey here is to gain insight into the traditions and skills of this most rural of Scotland's industries, and to discover the many delights of Speyside.

Thoroughly Scottish ingredients - the meltwater from the high snows of the granite hills, peat from the moorlands and the sunshine from Moray Coast barley - all play their part in the complex character of each malt whisky..... which is why learning about them is fascinating and fun. With seven distilleries on the trail, plus the traditional skills of the or barrel maker at the Speyside Cooperage in Craigellachie, enjoying a distillery visit, tour and tasting is an essential ingredient of your Grampian holiday or short break experience.

Grampian Castle Trail
Wherever you are in Grampian, you are never far from a castle for this is Scotland's Castle Country and it's where you will find Scotland's unique Castle Trail.

One moment you will be in Norman Scotland, the next in Renaissance Scotland. You can let your imagination run riot in dark romantic ruins or in magnificiently furnished castles. The trail is approximately 150 miles long and can be followed in either direction. At least one hour should be allowed for each property visit. You can even stay in the noblest of northern castles - Kildrummy Castle.

Those properties belonging to the National Trust for Scotland are open during the period May-September with some opening at Easter and weekends in October. Their gardens and grounds are open all year. A few of the Historic Scotland properties are open all year.

Victorian Heritage trail
A distinctive profile of Queen Victoria on brown-coloured tourist signs points the way for the Victorian Heritage Trail, leading you to some of the many sights she enjoyed during her visits to the area.

 The trail also takes in two distilleries, one at Fettercairn in the Mearns, and the other below Lochnagar among the Deeside hills. Fettercairn and Royal Lochnagar distilleries - both open to visitors - each produce a distinct and flavoursome single malt.

Look out too for the many businesses which proudly display Royal coats-of-arms. This heraldic flourish indicates that these businesses supply members of the Royal family with goods or services. The little town of Ballater has more "By Appointment" signs than any other comparable place in the world, a heritage that is further enriched by the opening in 2001 of the restored Old Royal Station Ballater.

Grampian Coastal Trail
With its clean air, clear seawater and stunning vistas, here in Aberdeen and Grampian you will find some of Europe's best coastline

 From the lava cliffs of St Cyrus all the way round to the notorious Culbin Sands on the Moray Firth, the north-east coastline is one long series of surprises. Tiny villages, picturesque harbours and 150-miles of unspoilt beaches line much of the coast which, together with the area's teeming wildlife (including dolphins, seals and seabirds), make the area an invigorating and uplifting holiday destination. The coast is a turning point on the map of Scotland, guarding land that has been tilled since the Stone Age. It forms a natural boundary to a land of pride and promise, the home to people whose aspirations down the centuries have created a clear identity and strong entrepreneurial spirit.