Loch Muick, Ballater
The three-hour walk around spectacular Loch Muick was one of Queen Victoria’s favourites. This is the magical location to which the monarch escaped when she wanted to hide from the world. The trek is on fairly level terrain and is nearly eight miles long.
Where: AB35 5SU
Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle, Inverurie
The ancient Easter Aquhorthies Stone Circle is a monument type found only in the north east.
Where: AB51 5JL
Randolph’s Leap Logie, near Forres
Wild Randolph’s Leap is a ragged finger of broken rock where the River Findhorn rushes through.
Where: IV36 2QN
Old Post Office Tea Room, Chapel of Garioch
The olde-worlde Old Post Office at Chapel of Garioch serves the world’s best sticky ginger cake. Irresistible!
Where: AB51 5HE
Delgatie castle, Turriff
Delgatie Castle dates back to the 11th Century and has some of the country’s finest painted ceilings. Yet this intriguing fortress has the atmosphere of a lived-in home.
Where: AB53 5TD
Glen Garioch Distillery, Oldmeldrum
Glen Garioch is one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland. It has been making its malt since 1797.
Where: AB51 0ES
Giulianotti, Stonehaven
A retro sweet shop that’s a treasure trove of old favourites. As if that’s not a good enough excuse for a visit, the ice cream is out of this world. Make ours a honeycomb.
Where: AB39 2EQ
Roseisle Beach, Burghead
Secluded Roseisle Beach is sheltered by sand dunes and Scots pine trees with lovely views across the Moray Firth.
Where: IV36 2UB
Bennachie Hill Walk & Visitor Centre
The name of this landmark hill means “home”. People once lived in a fort at its top and quarried its rock.
Where: AB51 5HX
Formartine Buchan Way Cycle Route
The Formartine and Buchan way is a 40-mile cycle route all the way to Fraserburgh with beautiful views.
Where: Start – Dyce Station, AB21 7BA
Pati’s Place, Elgin
There’s more than tea for two at the wonderfully quirky Pati’s Place. With a mish-mash of styles, it’s a tea lover’s idea of paradise!
Where: IV30 1BH
Slains Castle, Cruden Bay
Bram Stoker was said to be so spellbound by Slains Castle that it inspired him to write Dracula.
Where: AB42 0NE
Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin
Retreat to Pluscarden Abbey, the only medieval British monastery still being used for its original purpose.
Where: IV30 8UA
Burn O’Vat, Dinnet
Step into the mouth of an ancient cave where bandits once hid and get close to the Burn O’Vat waterfall.
Where: AB34 5NB
Crovie Village, Gardenstown
The houses in this village – said to be the only one of its kind in Europe – are perched on a narrow ledge just feet from the sea.
Where: AB45 3JQ
Want to explore more of Scotland? Head to our Scottish Gems section.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe