REGIONS

Aberdeen & Grampian Highlands

Aberdeen
Aberdeen - named the "Granite City" or "Silver City" because of its preponderance of sparkling granite buildings - is Scotland's third largest city with a population of around 210,000. It has been dubbed as Britain's "Flower Capital " because it has won the Beautiful Britain in Bloom title no less than 10 times. There are fabulous floral displays throughout the city - arising from a base of 2.5 million roses, 11 million daffodils and 3 million crocuses. The Winter Gardens in Duthie Park, open all year round, are Europe's largest indoor gardens. They attract more than 1 million visitors a year and boast Britain's largest cacti collection and the wonderful peaceful Japanese Garden.

Aberdeen is a city steeped in history. King William the Lion granted Aberdeen Royal Burgh charters in the 12th century, and its university was founded by Bishop Elphinstone in 1495. There has been much celebration in 1995 to mark the Quincentenary of Aberdeen University.

His Majesty's Theatre is one of the finest in the UK, and there is an excellent Art Gallery and Maritime Museum. The Maritime Museum focuses on the city's long and proud association with the sea - from the days of whaling and shipbuilding and a once prodigiously productive fishing fleet, to the arrival of the energy industry.

The extensive and bustling harbour sees the fishing boats and energy industry supply boats co-existing in harmony - just a stone's throw from the quaint squares of Footdee (Fittie), the absorbing old fishing village at the mouth of the harbour.

Aberdeen lies between the Rivers Don and Dee and is a holiday resort with two miles of clean, sandy beach and Scotland's largest permanent amusement park. Shopping facilities are excellent with airy new malls, traditional stores and specialist shops including the Crombie Woollen Mill Visitor Centre -the home of the famous Crombie cloth.

The city really comes to life at night with a cosmopolitan collection of restaurants, lively night-clubs, a diverse choice of pubs and cafes, concerts and casinos - and a city where live music is very much to the fore. Aberdeen is very much a fun city, and an excellent centre for touring Grampian region. The Aberdeen folk are a cheerful and hospitable race - illustrated by the city's toast - "Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again." Enjoy your visit to Aberdeen and do make a point of returning soon!

Royal Deeside and Moray
Aberdeen is the gateway to Royal Deeside - the beautiful valley of the River Dee. Since Balmoral Castle was built by Queen Victoria in 1855, the Grampian Highlands have been the summer holiday playground of the British Royal Family.

Part of Balmoral Castle and its grounds are open to visitors during the summer. And in nearby Ballater, even the smallest shops proudly display their Royal Warrant coats of arms, and a Victorian Heritage Trail links the places most favoured by Queen Victoria in what she called her "Dear Paradise". The trail calls at places like the lnvercauld Bridge, Crathie Church and Fasque House, the home of the Gladstone family. Among Royal Deeside's attractions are the Royal Lochnagar Distillery and the Braemar Highland Heritage Centre - as well as the annual Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in September, one of the most charismatic events in Scotland's extensive Highland Games calendar.

There are many attractions to the north of the River Dee. Take the Cockbridge to Tomintoul road over the stark hills of the Grampians before dropping to the valley of the River Spey in Moray. Elgin is the second-largest city in north-east Scotland. An elegant town, with ruins of a magnificent Medieval cathedral, it has an excellent museum which tells the story of the oldest dinosaurs in Britain, whose fossils were found nearby. Moray Motor Museum, the Cashmere Centre and the restored Old Mills are also interesting.

To the south is Pluscarden Abbey - the most northerly monastery in the world, lovingly restored and inhabited by Benedictine monks. And to the north is Spynie Palace. Fochabers, to the east, is a charming 18th century village on the route of the Speyside Way long-distance footpath. There is a fascinating local museum and a splendid range of antique shops.

The North-East Lowlands
Banff and Buchan, the eastern part of Gordon and Kincardine Districts are essentially the lowlands of this region with the staple industries being fishing and farming. Buckie displays its fishing heritage in the Buckie Drifter - a new visitor centre - and the fishing ports of Macduff, Fraserburgh (which has Scotland's oldest lighthouse), and Peterhead all share a colourful history. Peterhead is Europe's largest fishing port with more than 400 boats and a daily fish market. Its Arbuthnot Museum and Art Gallery tells the history of fishing and whaling.

Try not to miss Pennan - the unspoiled smugglers' village at the foot of red sandstone cliffs - the home of many nesting seabirds and wild flowers. Pennan was the location for the movie "Local Hero" which starred Burt Lancaster.

The Grampian Highlands
Grampian Highlands are justifiably acknowledged as Scotland's Castle Country. There are no less than 70 castles to visit and feast your eyes on, including Kildrummy Castle - one of seven castles and two historic houses linked by Scotland's award-winning Castle Trail. And there is a wealth of stone circles, standing stones and hill forts that all have tales to tell.

Grampian Highlands have 25% of Britain's standing stones - the legacy of the Picts, the ancient inhabitants of Scotland - and you can follow the Stone Circle Trail and explore some of these fascinating sites. Many of the castles are dramatic ruins, such as Dunnottar, chosen by Zeffirelli for his film of "Hamlet", and Slains, said to have inspired Bram Stoker to write "Dracula". The region also plays host to more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. The Malt Whisky Trail, which links eight of the numerous renowned Speyside distilleries, is simply a must on your itinerary. You will enjoy the experience of seeing whisky being made. See how fragrant barley, soft sweet water, peat and yeast combine to make the smooth amber malts, and discover the traditions of the industry in a variety of ultra-attractive visitors centres where you will be given the opportunity to sample a "dram of the cratue". Also try and fit in a visit to the Speyside Cooperage in Craigellachie, which demonstrates the craftsmanship in barrel making for the whisky industry.

You can also visit a number of high-quality local industries which boost the economy with a thriving export trade. Fine cloth(cashmere) is the product at Johnston's of Elgin, while Baxters of Speyside, at Fochabers, is a remarkable family firm which has pioneered mouth-watering food products, including a wonderful range of soups and jams.