Craigievar Castle: Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, Craigievar Castle is a fairy-tale-like, baronial castle. One of the best preserved castles in Scotland, this 17th-century structure has a fine collection of Jacobean woodwork, family portraits and beautiful furniture. Surrounding the castle are landscaped grounds that include a Victorian kitchen garden and a Scottish glen garden.
Cairngorms National Park: The Cairngorms National Park is a haven for those who love the outdoors. You can hike, mountain bike, ski or snowboard in this wild landscape. Walkers will enjoy ‘bagging a Munro’ (climbing a peak that’s more than 3000 feet tall) on the high Cairngorm plateau, families can have a go at dog-sledding at the Cairngorm Sleddog Centre and in winter you can try your hand at snow sports at one of the three ski areas.
Balmedie Country Park: Located in the town of Balmedie, just over a 20-minute drive from Aberdeen, the Balmedie Country Park boasts a long, windswept sandy beach — with a beautiful dune system that stretches for 14 miles. Look out for World War Two pill boxes on your way back to the car park, where there is also a good children’s playground. The beach is home to a number of barbecue fire stands.