Located on the A96, 17 miles north west of Aberdeen the town of granite buildings is at the confluence of the River Don and Ury. It is a good base for exploring the valleys of Aberdeenshire. It is an ancient royal burgh granted in 1558. In 1307 King Robert the Bruce lay gravely ill, later he returned and won the battle of Barra against his rival, the Earl of Buchan. It was won and lost to suceeding armies of Royalists and Covananters in the Civil War. In the 1745 rising it was the only scene of bloodshed during that rebellion in Aberdeenshire.... < more >