More Beyond Moray

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire is located in North East Scotland and it is the fourth largest region, it’s the area in and around Aberdeen city with a landscape of rolling hills, open farmland and towering mountains in the west and sweeping beaches, coastal cliffs and panoramic skies in the east.  In the past, the region was once the centre of the ancient Pict kingdom.

The region of Aberdeenshire is called “Scotland’s Castle Country”, with 263 castles – more castles than anywhere else in Scotland! You will be able to visit 19 of them by following the “Castle Trail”. The most famous one is Balmoral Castle which has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852.

With 165 miles of dramatic coastline covering the Moray Firth and the North Sea, Aberdeenshire’s coast is home to one of the best places in Scotland to spot pods of dolphins, seals and sea birds including puffins.

The Golf courses in Aberdeenshire are well-known worldwide, especially for the beautiful panoramic views.

Fishing is extremely popular in the region. River Dee, River Don and River Deveron are the perfect place to find salmon and trout. The River Dee is worldwide famous for its Salmon fishing.

Royal Deeside forms part of Cairngorms National Park home to ospreys, reindeer, pine martens and red squirrels. The Scottish Highland Games are hosted in Deeside towns and villages.

There are many attractions across the region, including distilleries, parklands and golf courses, ancient castles, rivers, an amazing gastronomy and more.

The North East 250 road trip covers Aberdeenshire coast and countryside, along with Cairngorms National Park, Speyside and the Moray Firth Coast.

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The Highlands

The Highlands is a vast area stretching from Fort William in the west, right up the coast by Skye, around the North Coast 500 to Durness and John O’ Groats in the far north.  In fact, Moray Speyside and Aberdeenshire are in the Highlands. Therefore, it is referred to as The North Highlands, the region formed by Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-Shire – the main region for our “The Highlands itineraries”.

Inverness is the capital of The Highlands and the worldwide famous Loch Ness and Uquhart Castle, both about 30 minutes from the city of Inverness, is a must see natural attraction.  Dolphins can be spotted at Chanonry Point and it is a great start for your NC500 road trip!

A trip to The North Highlands is a life time experience. From remote fishing and countryside villages to medieval towns, you will find mountains, moorlands, hidden hill lochs, Highland glens and deserted Caribbean style beaches along your journey and you will ask yourself why have you not done this trip before!

The beaches of Caithness and Sutherland are spectacular and these areas are fantastic to spot the Northern Lights when the sky is clear and there is an indication of the phenomena and are also full of historical, geological and cultural heritage. Smoo Cave is another natural attraction to be visited.

Eilean Donan Castle is one the most photographed castles in Scotland and a trip to the site will endorse this comment. Overlooking the Isle of Skye, the castle is located on it is own little island, the view is breathtaking. Dunrobin Castle is another beautiful castle located in The North Highlands – not very far from Inverness and on the road to John O’Groats – the most northerly village.

The North West Highlands is the home to Cape Wrath, the North West Highlands Geopark. The West side, you will visit villages and towns such Applecross, Ullapool, Gairloch, Torridon…

The Isle of Skye is one of the top destinations when visiting Scotland. Extremely idyllic and with stunning scenery in every direction you look at, it is a destination do not be missed.

The North Highlands has a lot to offer to its visitors and it is suggested at least 5 days to enjoy the region in full.

More in Moray Tours and Transport offer Day Tour to Inverness-shire and some sections of North Coast 500 and Multi Day Tours to cover the full North Coast 500 – amazing!

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