It isn't easy to do justice to the rich history of Aberdeenshire in a single article. The sheer concentration of castles and other historical attractions should give you a clue as to its significance.
From ruins perched on clifftops to fully-furnished mansions, which still serve as family homes, the range of places to visit is sure to keep you entertained for your entire trip and future visits too!
Dunottar Castle is a clifftop fortress in such a dramatic setting that it's undoubtedly one of the most photographed locations in Aberdeenshire. It often has to be closed in poor weather, which shows just how precarious its location is. It's not far from the town of Stonehaven, so you can easily combine it with a visit there.
Slains Castle near Cruden Bay is thought to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. Whilst it's been badly damaged over the centuries and continues to be battered by the elements, it still has a certain grandeur, and it's easy to see why they used it to entertain the great and the good during the 19th century.
You can see the impressive turreted structure of Crathes Castle for miles around. Artwork and historic artefacts adorn the inside, and the painted ceilings have to be seen to be believed. On a nice day, the beautiful gardens are a wonderful place to take a stroll and enjoy the castle's exterior. This is also a great place to spot wildlife, including birds and red squirrels, and there are some great forest trails for those looking for a longer walk.
The Royal Family's Scottish home, Balmoral Castle, is covered in our Cairngorms National Park article and is, of course, one of the most popular castles to visit in the area.
Drum Castle has 700 years worth of stories to tell, and they're told beautifully in the museum and exhibitions located in the building today. Highlights include the story of the Laird of Drum, who fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie at the Battle of Culloden, and the beautiful library with its collection of over 4,000 antique books. There are even secret passages to be found behind the bookcases - guaranteed to delight visitors of all ages.
The ruins of Findlater Castle are gradually being reclaimed by nature and becoming one with the cliffs in which they are set. Close to Cullen and Sandend on the north coast of Aberdeenshire, they can be accessed as part of a pretty but exposed coastal walk.
Despite its 800-year history, Fyvie Castle is incredibly well-preserved and remains one of the most impressive examples of Scottish baronial architecture with its five turreted towers and equally stunning grounds. It's home to an amazing collection of arms and armour, as well as some incredible oil paintings, and is also filled with a whole host of juicy stories, including two curses and a ghost, the Green Lady.
Craigievar Castle's distinctive pink colour means it's often used as the poster child for castles in Aberdeenshire, and it certainly grabs the attention. Visitors will not be surprised to learn that Craigievar is said to have been the inspiration for Walt Disney's castle in Cinderella. You can tour the castle and grounds, and there's a collection of art, artefacts and armour which can be enjoyed by natural light, as to this day there are no artificial lights installed beyond the ground floor of the castle.
Kinnaird Head Castle near Fraserburgh is a very different kind of castle, having the added attribute of being the location of Scotland's first lighthouse. Today, the home of the excellent Museum of Scottish Lighthouses (see below under Fraserburgh).
Not quite a castle, but close to Huntly, the beautiful Leith Hall country house is another place to add to your bucket list if you love history. Filled with curios, artefacts, furnishings and art collected by the Leith-Hay family over generations of travel and exploration, it's a delight to tour the interior with the National Trust's knowledgeable guides. And if one stately home isn't enough (when is it ever?!), the Gordon family's Haddo House has to be next on your list.