13 Sights in Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom (with Map and Images)

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Welcome to your journey through the most beautiful sights in Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom! Whether you want to discover the city's historical treasures or experience its modern highlights, you'll find everything your heart desires here. Be inspired by our selection and plan your unforgettable adventure in Aberdeenshire. Dive into the diversity of this fascinating city and discover everything it has to offer.

1. Rattray Castle

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Rattray Castle The original uploader was Bobbacon at English Wikipedia. / CC BY-SA 3.0

The Castle of Rattray was a medieval Scottish castle, with multiple variations on its structure over approximately six centuries. Originally built as a "late 12th- or early 13th century defensive motte" it provided protection for Starny Keppie Harbour and Rattray village. Sometime between 1214 and 1233 it was upgraded by William Comyn, jure uxoris Earl of Buchan before being destroyed in the 1308 Harrying of Buchan. After Comyn's timber castle was burned down, it was replaced by a stronger stone castle which was engulfed during a 1720 sand storm along with nearby Rattray village. After the storm, the castle was not dug out and remains covered to this day. The castle was described by W. Douglas Simpson as one of the nine castles of the Knuckle, referring to the rocky headland of north-east Aberdeenshire.

Wikipedia: Castle of Rattray (EN)

2. Oxen Craig

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Bennachie is a range of hills in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It has several tops, the highest of which, Oxen Craig, has a height of 528 metres (1,732 ft). Though not particularly high, compared to other peaks within Scotland, the mountain is very prominent, owing to its isolation and the relative flatness of the surrounding terrain, and dominates the skyline from several viewpoints.

Wikipedia: Bennachie (EN)

3. Castle Fraser

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Castle Fraser

Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland and one of the grandest 'Castles of Mar'. It is located near Kemnay in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. The castle stands in over 300 acres (1.2 km2) of landscaped grounds, woodland and farmland which includes a walled kitchen garden of the 19th century. There is archaeological evidence of an older square tower dating from around 1400 or 1500 within the current construction. The castle is a Category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.

Wikipedia: Castle Fraser (EN)

4. The GlenDronach Distillery

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Glendronach distillery is a Scottish whisky distillery located near Forgue, by Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in the Highland whisky district. It was owned by the BenRiach Distillery Company Ltd. The name Glendronach derives from the Scottish Gaelic Gleann Dronach which means "valley of the brambles" or "valley of the blackberries".

Wikipedia: Glendronach distillery (EN)

5. Glenshee Ski Centre

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Glenshee Ski Centre is an alpine snowsports area in the Scottish Highlands. It is located above the Cairnwell Pass at the head of Glen Shee on either side of the A93 road between Blairgowrie and Braemar. Glenshee is Britain's largest alpine snowsports area and is referred to as the 'Scottish Three Glens'. in reference to Les Trois Vallées. The ski area covers 2,000 acres (8.1 km2).

Wikipedia: Glenshee Ski Centre (EN), Website

6. Raedykes Roman camp

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Raedykes is the site of a Roman marching camp located just over three miles northwest of Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. National Grid Reference NO 842902. It is designated as a scheduled monument. A marching camp was a temporary camp used mainly for overnight stops on a long route between more permanent forts, or as a temporary base while on campaign in hostile territory.

Wikipedia: Raedykes (EN)

7. Cairn Riv

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Cairn Riv

Carlin Stone or Carline Stane is the name given to a number of prehistoric standing stones and natural stone or landscape features in Scotland. The significance of the name is unclear, other than its association with old hags, witches, and the legends of the Cailleach.

Wikipedia: Carlin stone (EN)

8. East Aquhorthies Stone Circle

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East Aquhorthies Stone Circlestu smith from Hampton Wick / Aberdeen, uk / CC BY-SA 2.0

Easter Aquhorthies stone circle, located near Inverurie in north-east Scotland, is one of the best-preserved examples of a recumbent stone circle and one of the few that still have their full complement of stones and the only one that has all its stones still standing without having been re-erected. It stands on a gentle hill slope about 1 mile (1.6 km) west of Inverurie and consists of a ring of nine stones, eight of which are grey granite and one red jasper. Two more grey granite stones flank a recumbent of red granite flecked with crystals and lines of quartz. The circle is particularly notable for its builders' use of polychromy in the stones, with the reddish ones situated on the SSW side and the grey ones opposite. The discovery of a possible cist covered by a capstone at the centre of the circle indicates that there may once have been a cairn there, but only a conspicuous bump now remains.

Wikipedia: Easter Aquhorthies stone circle (EN)

9. Wormy Hillock

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Wormy Hillock Henge, also known as The Dragon's Grave, is a small henge in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument located in the Clashindarroch Forest. It is a low, circular bank 16.5 metres (54 ft) in diameter which almost surrounds a 6-metre (20 ft) wide platform in the centre. There is one gap in the bank at the southeast end of the henge.

Wikipedia: Wormy Hillock Henge (EN)

10. Tolquhon Castle

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Tolquhon Castle

Tolquhon Castle is located in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. It lies about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-west of Pitmedden, and 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Tarves. The castle was built by William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon, between 1584 and 1589 as an extension to the earlier tower house known as Preston's Tower. Although ruined, the castle has been described as "the most characteristic château of the Scots Renaissance". It is in the care of Historic Scotland and is open to the public.

Wikipedia: Tolquhon Castle (EN)

11. Bognie Castle

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Bognie Castle is a ruined castle near Huntly and Banff in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland. It was built in the 17th century and is now ruined. It once rose 4 stories high, but according to tradition was never inhabited. It shows traces of a plain building, and apparently existed in 1696.

Wikipedia: Bognie Castle (EN)

12. Mill of Benholm

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Mill of Benholm in Kincardineshire, Scotland, is a restored and fully working water-powered meal mill. It is sited in ancient woodland near Johnshaven, by the farmlands of Sunset Song country – made famous by local author, Lewis Grassic Gibbon. It featured as Long Rob's Mill in the television serialisation of this novel. It is a category A listed building and is owned the Mill of Benholm Enterprise, and formally by Aberdeenshire Council.

Wikipedia: Benholm Mill (EN)

13. Invercauld House

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Invercauld Castle is a country house situated in Royal Deeside near Braemar in Scotland. It is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.

Wikipedia: Invercauld Castle (EN)

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Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.