East of Scotland

Scotland > East of Scotland

There must be more Castles (follow the Castle Trail), ruined and still standing, per square mile in Aberdeenshire than anywhere else in the UK and if you take a close look at the environment and fertility of the area you can understand why.

This is superb farming country - rich, rewarding agriculture and well worth protecting from marauding incomers. Today, however, even Castles can't stand up to Brussels - attacks are now made by paper and increasingly by electronics which can penetrate any castle wall! The legacy of byegone days is an even richer historic pedigree and eyecatching ancient architecture.

The old counties of Eastern Scotland (Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Kincardineshire, Moray, Perthshire and Angus) also contain over half of Scotland's whisky distilleries, a dramatic coastline, excellent walking, salmon-fishing and outdoor activities, as well as Scotland's third city. This area should not be missed - just ask the Royal Family. They've been holidaying here for the past 150 years.

The Granite City of Aberdeen is Europe's oil capital - this has assisted in helping to attract the development of many fine hotels in the area. Stonehaven has a busy harbour but Peterhead and Fraserburgh to the north are the fishing capitals of Scotland - both suffering badly over the past few years. To the South, Dundee on the River Tay is busy changing its old "jute, jam and journalism" label to one of a city of education and hi-tec industry.

In Perthshire you'll find high mountains, tumbling streams and waterfalls, lochs, rivers, Europe's most remarkable trees and woodlands and over 40 golf courses including Gleneagles! You will also find the Fair City of Perth, of course - once the capital of Scotland with the Palace of Scone nearby.

This is Malt Whisky Country, plus! Glenlivet, Glen Grant, Glenfarclas, Cardhu, Glenfiddich, Strathisla (Chivas Regal), Bvlair Athol, Edradour! Most of the area's distilleries are open to visitors and many are associated with the River Spey which together with the Dee, Don, North and South Esk and Tay offer, collectively, the best salmon fishing in the UK.

To summarise? Whisky, castles, agriculture, salmon fishing, mega activities and Royal patronage but that is probably too simplistic!