Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire ranges from dramatic coast to the fringes of the Cairngorms, and its towns reflect that spread. Stonehaven and Banff both sit on the North Sea, with harbours and clifftop walks, while Peterhead remains a working fishing port with a busier, more industrial feel. Inland, Braemar and Ballater are classic Deeside villages, well placed for hillwalking and royal connections at Balmoral, with Aboyne and Banchory offering gentler, riverside versions of the same countryside appeal.

For everyday market-town life, Turriff, Inverurie, Mintlaw and Laurencekirk provide a quieter, more local pace, useful bases for exploring castles and farmland rather than tourist crowds. Portlethen, close to Aberdeen, suits those wanting easy city access alongside coastal air. Together these places suit a mix of trips: quiet countryside breaks around Deeside, active coastal stops at Stonehaven or Peterhead, and practical stays inland for touring the wider region.

Aberdeenshire's places to stay range from stone-built guest houses in old market towns to hotels with grounds looking onto hills or harbour. Ballater, gateway to Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms, has long attracted visitors and its B&Bs and small hotels, such as Cambus O'May Hotel and Craggan, tend to suit walkers and those touring Balmoral and the whisky trail.

On the coast, Peterhead offers straightforward options like Seaview Hotel for those working the fishing ports or heading up towards the cliffs and castles of the north-east. Ellon, closer to Aberdeen, works well as a base for exploring the countryside without being tied to the city, with houses such as St Andrews House and Crannach House offering a quieter alternative.

Beyond the towns, properties like Saplinbrae Hotel and Lodges and Hosefield Bed and Breakfast show the spread of country options, from lodge stays to family-run rooms. Choosing between them often comes down to whether you want hills, coast, or easy access to Aberdeen itself.

Aberdeenshire's attractions stretch from the castle-studded coast to the hills around Royal Deeside, giving days out here plenty of range. Stonehaven draws visitors for Dunnottar Castle, perched dramatically above the sea, while Peterhead Prison offers a very different kind of history further up the coast at Peterhead itself.

Inland, Ballater and Aboyne make good bases for exploring former royal connections, with The Old Royal Station and the countryside around Muir of Dinnet nearby. Families tend to head for Willows Animal Sanctuary or Belwade Farm, while Newburgh Beach near Ellon suits a slower coastal outing.

Smaller, more specialist places round out the picture, from the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum to The Cabin Equestrian Centre, so it's worth mixing a big-name sight with something quieter depending on which part of the county you're in.

Aberdeenshire's eating and drinking spots range from harbour-town cafes to country pubs, reflecting a county that stretches from the fishing coast at Fraserburgh to the market towns inland. Banchory and Inverurie both have good clusters of places to eat, useful if you're touring Royal Deeside or breaking a journey along the A96, while Turriff and Oldmeldrum offer a quieter, more local choice of cafes and bars.

Along the coast, towns like Fraserburgh and Portlethen mix traditional bakeries and chip shops with newer cafes, so it's worth deciding whether you want a proper sit-down meal or something quick before carrying on. Inland, pubs tend to double as the social hub of smaller villages, making them a reliable bet for an evening meal. With 275 places listed across the county, there's plenty of scope to match your stop to the pace of the day, from a fast coffee to a lingering pub lunch.

Aberdeenshire's mix of coastline, farmland and Cairngorms foothills makes for varied camping and glamping, from small certificated sites tucked behind farms to fuller-facility parks geared towards touring caravans and motorhomes. Deeside towns such as Aboyne, Ballater and Banchory sit close to hill walking and the River Dee, with places like Howe of Torbeg and Firbank Park offering a base for exploring that stretch, while Cairngorm Lodges suit those wanting fixed accommodation rather than a pitch.

Further north and east, Banff, Fraserburgh and Turriff give access to a quieter, more agricultural landscape and the Moray Firth coast, with sites such as East Balthangie Caravan and Camping Park, Gamrie Bay Caravan Site Certificated Location and Clochforbie Yurts spread across the countryside rather than clustered in one spot. Stonehaven, on the coast south of Aberdeen, works well for those wanting sea views alongside a campsite base.

Choice often comes down to how much you want laid on: simple stopovers like Glenbuchty Stopover Motorhome Aire suit self-sufficient travellers, whereas glamping options such as Greenpark Wigwams and Clochforbie Yurts offer a more sheltered stay without full camping kit.

Aberdeenshire's self-catering cottages spread from the Deeside valley to the coast, giving visitors a genuine choice of setting. Properties like Dee View Apartment and Ballogie House sit inland near the river and its wooded glens, while places such as Going Coastal and Ocean View put the North Sea within easy reach for cliff walks and harbour towns.

Further south towards St Cyrus, cottages like the Orchard 13 development offer a quieter base close to the beach and nature reserve, and holiday lodge groups such as Deeside Woodland Lodges provide a cluster of options for those wanting privacy among the trees. Golf View and Viewington Cottage suit anyone building a trip around a round of golf or wide countryside views.

With this many properties across the county, it is worth deciding first whether you want coast, riverside or forest, as travel times between them can add up.