Taste of Aberdeenshire

Departs: Wed at 09:00 (Bookings must be made in advance)

From: The Wallace Monument in front of His Majesty's Theatre on Rosemount Street.

Duration: 7.5 hours

For an authentic tasting experience, we visit Fettercairn Distillery and Dunnottar Castle, one of our more impressive castles. As part of the tour, you will be invited to enjoy samples of some of our great food and drink produced in the northeast of Scotland.

Where the Feugh tributary joins the river Dee near Banchory, the waters rushed over a jumble of boulders and rock steps to form an attractive set of cascading rapids with an old stone road bridge over the top. These are the Falls of Feugh, and while not particularly high, they’re a popular beauty spot for locals and Aberdonians alike. The falls have a reputation for being an ideal spot to watch salmon running upstream. During autumn and after heavy rain is usually the best time, but of course there are no guarantees!

Cairn o' Mount is the name of a prehistoric round cairn in Aberdeenshire, it is also the name of the 455m hill the cairn stands on. The scenic and winding road takes us through National Forestry Woodlands to heath land and heather covered hillsides. The route passes along Clachnaben and its granite Tor which is a popular walking trail, to the top of the hill we you are treated to spectacular views over the Aberdeenshire countryside. We like to call it our highlands in miniature as it offers similar landscapes and views only on a smaller scale.

Sir Alexander Ramsay, the founder of the distillery, was one of the Scottish landowners who campaigned to license Scotch Whisky distillation and in 1824, he was one of the first to apply for a license, and the Fettercairn distillery was opened.

Fettercairn lies in the heart of rich farming land and is in a beautiful rural setting which has always attracted visitors. This distillery has a unique still shape, which creates their iconic character, and it works closely with local barley producers and using their own spring water.

This visit will include a tour of the distillery as well as a tasting of two of their whiskies in their visitor centre.

Stonehaven was originally a fishing village south of Aberdeen but has evolved into a Victorian resort town in the 1800s. You will be taken on a short, guided walking tour of the harbour area and old town before having free time to explore the village and enjoy a delicious lunch.

Be sure to walk along the boardwalk and Stonehaven beach and admire the sculptures created by artisan Jim Malcolm, who for years, was dubbed the Stonehaven Banksy for the maritime themed structures he created anonymously.

Easily one of Aberdeenshire's most iconic castles, Dunnottar is an impressive site. For over 1000 years Dunnottar Castle played a crucial role in Scottish history. The Castle played host to several of the nation's historical figures including William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots and for its role in saving the Honours of Scotland from Oliver Cromwell's army.

The castle ruins are extensive with many rooms and buildings to explore. Most of what you see are buildings dating from the 16th & 17th century, but earlier structures can be found. Imagine what life would have been like as you walk through the settlement, part military barracks and part stately home for the Earls of Marischal.

There are a lot of steps/stairs up to the castle, so this is not suitable for people who have mobility issues. There are some wonderful photo opportunities along the coastal path and a great walk over to the war memorial on Black Hill above Stonehaven.