Aberdeenshire is once again proving it is king of the castles with the revamped Scotland’s Castle Trail brochure, which also now highlights nearby attractions to visitors.
This region is known as Scotland’s Castle Country and with an impressive tally of 300 castles, stately mansions and ruins scattered across the landscape, there are more castles per acre than anywhere else in the UK. The brochure, which has been given a complete redesign, is a joint project between VisitScotland, Historic Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council.
It now features 18 castles in Aberdeenshire, from Balmoral to Braemar and Corgarff to Craigievar. Leith Hall has also been included this year for the first time. There are maps on both sides of the new brochure and large entries and details for each castle.
A “nearby attractions” section has been added to each entry, to encourage people to further explore the region while following the trail and increase the length of their stay and spend in Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeenshire’s castles provide a wealth of history to explore – from gruesome tales of battles fought, to strolls through romantic family estates. Coming in all shapes and sizes, each castle holds a different story to tell, from striking clifftop ruins to grand fortresses and royal residences in the countryside.
One of the properties on the trail, Drum Castle, is currently hosting a selection of Aberdeen Art Gallery’s modern art collection on the upper floor, which is being opened to the public for the first time. This significant collection includes iconic paintings and sculptures, including Ken Currie’s Gallowgate Lard.
Philip Smith, VisitScotland regional director, said: “The Castle Trail is incredibly popular with our visitors, both domestic and international, and I am delighted this inspirational brochure has been refreshed for the new season. It provides essential information for anyone visiting these fantastic properties right across Aberdeenshire.
“In 2015, Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, it is also great to see some local ‘foodie’ attractions highlighted in the brochure, such as Royal Lochnagar Distillery, near Balmoral Castle; and Touched by Scotland Gallery and Restaurant, near Leith Hall.”
Brochures can be picked up at various locations including airports, VisitScotland Information Centres and National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland properties. Once you’ve decided which castle to visit, look out for the distinctive brown and white castle trail road signs which lead visitors through the heart of Aberdeenshire.
Scotland’s Castle Trail includes Dunnottar, Crathes, Drum, Castle Fraser, Tolquhon, Haddo House, Fyvie, Delgatie, Duff House, Huntly, Spynie Palace, Balvenie, Leith Hall Garden and Estate, Kildrummy, Corgarff, Braemar, Balmoral and Craigievar.
For further information on the castle trail, including a suggested
four-day itinerary and downloadable map, visit www.visitscotland.com/castletrail