Aberdeen To Banchory
Aberdeen to Banchory
The first sight of interest heading west from Aberdeen is Drum Castle, three miles west of Peterculter (pronounced 'Petercooter'). It's a combination of a 13th-century square tower, Jacobean mansion house and later Victorian additions. It was given to one William de Irvine by Robert the Bruce for service rendered at Bannockburn and was in the family's hands for over 650 years, until it was taken over by the National Trust for Scotland in 1976. There's a beautiful walled garden and a trail through the 100-acre ancient Wood of Drum which forms part of the castle grounds. Easter-Jun and Sep Sat-Mon, Wed and Thu 1230-1700; Jul and Aug daily 1100-1700; gardens Easter-end Sep daily 1100-1800; grounds open daily all year. Castle, gardens and grounds £8, £5 concession, car park £2. Tel. 01330-811204.
A few miles southeast of Peterculter is its sister village, Maryculter (pronounced 'Marycooter'), where you'll find Storybook Glen, the northeast's answer to Disneyland. This very attractive and tasteful 'theme park' is a great place to take the kids and features giant tableaux and lifesize characters from many childhood fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Daily Mar-Oct 1000-1800; Nov-Feb weekends only 1100-1600, £4.85, children £3.50. Tel. 01224-732491.
Crathes Castle & Gardens
Fifteen miles west of Aberdeen, where the A93 meets the A957 from Stonehaven, is Crathes Castle, a perfect 'fairytale' castle built over 40 years in the mid-16th century. The turreted tower-house is still furnished with many period pieces and wall hangings, and is notable for its superb painted ceilings. There are narrow spiral staircases leading to tiny rooms, one of which is said to be inhabited by the obligatory ghost. The castle is well worth exploring but is almost overshadowed by the exceptional gardens, which shouldn't be missed. There are no fewer than eight of them, so take your time. There's also a visitor centre, restaurant and shop. Castle, visitor centre and shop. It is also worth taking one of several waymarked trails into surrounding countryside inhabited by roe deer and red squirrels. Open Apr-Sep daily 1030-1730; Oct daily 1030-1630 (last admission to castle 45 mins before closing). Licensed restaurant Apr-Oct daily 1030-1730, Nov-Mar Thu-Sun 1030-1545; grounds and garden daily 0900-sunset; castle and grounds combined £10, concession £7. Tel. 01330-844525.