What an amazing castle! Definitely worth the visit. The views are stunning and a great day out. You can walk on opposite hills and get great views of the castle and surrounding monuments. There are a lot of steps to get to the castle, but there are rails and enough passing places when busy. There are no dustbins in the castle, so you need to take your goodies back with you. I would recommend taking some food with, as the gardens are so peaceful, its a great place to have a picnic and enjoy the peace. One of my top 10 castles in Scotland!

This is a must see Castle if your in the area. Well maintained by the staff that is friendly and informative. Be mindful that if your mobility is limited that there are several areas of stairs and steps that are irregular and steep. There are also some cobble stone walk ways that might be difficult for some. Loved our visit here and the views are spectacular.

This place is beautiful. I did not go inside as had other prior commitments. If you go give yourself several hours to explore as wonderful trails on cliffs and several stairs to get to castle. A must see if in Scotland!!

Dunnottar Castle is honestly one of the most breathtaking places in Scotland. Perched high on the cliffs above the North Sea, it feels like stepping straight into history. The ruins are full of atmosphere, and the views from every angle are just stunning. The walk down and back up can be a bit steep, but totally worth it for the experience. It’s usually peaceful early in the morning, and watching the waves crash below the castle walls is something you’ll never forget. A must-visit near Stonehaven!

Wonderful castle ruins overlooking the sea! The walk down to the castle is easy however there are quite a few stairs leading up to the entrance. Ticketing was easy and clear directions on the route you should take to see everything. We also hiked along the beach and took a small trail which wrapped back around to the castle. Lovely shots along the way.

Very well kept castle and quite a lot to see and on a large site. A lot bigger than expected with lots to read and some great history and story’s to catch up on. Could be a bit exposed on a wet day. Toilets on site and well worth the £13 entrance fee. Well worth a visit.

This castle is AMAZING! It is so worth the trek to get there! It has so many ruined structures still remaining and you can easily imagine what the inhabitants may have been doing going about their daily lives. You can still see where timber beams would have been to support the floors above and one great hall in a newer section has been restored to what it may have looked like when it was being used - so neat! The views of the ocean are also spectacular! I have been to many ruined castles (my favorite kind!) and this is one of the best - don’t miss it!

I had the pleasure of visiting Glen Garioch Distillery after a quick stay at Meldrum House. Initially, I thought this was just a convenient visit but it turned out to be so much more. Everyone here was super welcoming and accommodating. Even though I didn't had time for a tour, I was able to bottle my own Sherry Butt 2198! Didn't get her name but kudos to the wonderful lady who guided me the bottling!

Me and my boyfriend are from Argentina. We did the whisky tour few days ago. Hazel was out tour guide. The whole experience was amazing, and Hazel was very clear in her explanations (which was very important for us since we are foreigners) and also very very kind. She didn't do everything on a rush and took her time to explain everything very clearly and in detail. The rest of the staff was also very thoughtful and kind. The distillery is very beautiful and the whisky is excellent! Great experience for us in Glen Garioch.

We absolutely loved our tour at Glen Garioch Distillery! It was such an amazing experience. Our guide, Eddie, explained everything so clearly and with great enthusiasm. We learned a lot and enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend this tour – we left truly impressed and delighted!

BWhat an experience! One of my best tours in a distillery ! Eddie was super nice, very engaging and so charismatic ! I definitely would go back but this time in winter when they are actually producing this beautiful and rich single malt. ❤️ and the best part is that you get to taste 3 samples! Don’t worry if you are driving or not drinking that day, you can let them know and they will give you a “to go” dose. ☺️

Great Tour! Thx to J(G)ill. Great Experience and good prize for Sample! We come back! More Bourbon Cask please! Thx For all

Stuart was excellent, explained the processes and history with charm and a great sense of humor whilst being full of facts and knowledge along the way. Great experience and a warm staff throughout. Recommend the Warehouse 4 Experience.

So happy that we chose Glen Garioch for our whiskey distillery tour. We happened to be going through the area and decided to stop for a tour and it was a great decision. Old Meldrum is a cute little town and the distillery was absolutely fabulous. Just a beautiful and historic facility where they still malt their own barley, which apparently is rare these days. We met Gill when we arrived and were able to get on a tour after a cancellation. Gill was charming and funny and very knowledgeable. She shared every detail of the whiskey making process and answered all questions with clear and concise answers displaying her knowledge. Highly recommend this place and the tour. I loved the 12 year old scotch and the whiskey cheese was delicious.

We enjoyed our visit to Drum Castle. The tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly and we found the information interesting. Unfortunately, it was pouring cats and dogs when we finished, so although we did make our way to the gardens it was hard to enjoy them with the weather. That said, you could tell that the walled rose garden was a special place and the water garden we passed was quite peaceful. The only reason I’m rating this a 4 vs a 5 is because there are a few other walled gardens that are larger with more variety for the avid gardener. My only recommendation would be for the tour guide to end the tour with more info about what we could find outside. The walled garden is a short walk from the castle and could easily be missed. We just happened to ask about it.

This castle is definitely worth a visit. The gardens are beautiful, blooming with flowers on our visit in August, and humming with bees and lovely butterflies. The access to the interior is by guided tour only, but it is well worth doing the 45 minute tour. Our guide was informative, and entertaining. Entry and parking is free for NT members.

Very cool. Like all national trust for Scotland castles in the North East it’s a beauty in some of the best looking land in the world. This was has a few extras that make it a bit more special mostly the private chapel and the wood play ground. But has the usual stunning architecture, interesting owners, fascinating history, great furniture, walled garden, gift shop and great staff. A beautiful drive to get there as well.

We had a wonderful tour led by Cameron. Humorous and educational. Engaging and just long enough without dragging on. We would’ve liked the ability to go self-guided; however, this was a great experience overall.

Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. there 700 years of history in one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses. Drum Castle has something for everyone, from the medieval High Hall to modern art exhibitions. The original 13th-century tower of Drum Castle has been suggested as the work of medieval architect Richard Cementarius, who built the Brig o' Balgownie, the first Bridge of Don, in Old Aberdeen....this was one amazing castle to visit...definitely worth a visit

An amazing place to visit. Highly recommended. The grounds are idyllic. You are guided around the Castle by an informative guide who made the whole experience entertaining. The grounds are amazing and such a joy to explore.

Beautiful castle, nice driveway in, and lovely gardens. The guide, who tells the history of the castle, explains everything perfectly. One can imagine its construction and expansion over time.

Wonderful Castle! Very unique castle in comparison to many we had toured. Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered any questions we had. The walled garden was enjoyable to walk thru despite the rain. The fruit we purchased in the garden hut was very delicious after our tea!

Great time had, while they went inside for the guided tour, myself and the dog enjoyed the outdoors. The guided tour took about 2 hours, while we sat outdoors on picnic benches at the cafe. They loved the tour and the guide knew her stuff. Very impressive castle inside and out. Disabled parking right at entrance or your in the main car park 5-10 mins walk down a hill

I wasn't sure about our tour guide at first, honestly. But wow, they were amazing! The whole tour was hilarious thanks to their sarcastic and charming personality. Definitely made the experience 100% better. Beautiful castle inside and out.

Amazing place. Great tour of the castle. Tours run every 45mins. Nice cafe and shop. The gardens are nice to walk around.

What a beautiful castle! And the guided tour was amazing! It was totally worth it and I definitely recommend a visit!

Great place to visit you can only go round the inside of the castle as part of a guided tour witch we didn't mind because you get to understand the history of the place instead of just walking around looking at things our guide was very knowledgeable and great at telling us all about the castle through the years I definitely recommend a visit

Great place to look around. Dog friendly. Great coffee in the little cafe. Attended the distinguished gentleman ride 🏍️ Great starting point for the charity ride. Stunning place

Superb aquarium. Weather was looking iffy so we looked for something to do indoors. One of our teens chose this so off we went. Friendly staff and a large variety of fish. What made this especially interesting was that all the species were Scottish. Staff were excellent and the presentations informative but also child friendly: the staff obviously knew their stuff. We spent two hours here but would happily have spent longer.

This is one of the best aquariums I have ever visited. It may not be the biggest, but you'll see a lot in the space that is there! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff- we caught the jellyfish feed, and the feeder, Hannah, was very knowledgeable and was happy to answer questions. The Price Is super reasonable, and there's definitely something for everyone to enjoy- a great attraction!

Not been in some time but was brilliant. Not the biggest but it’s focus is our waters and they have done an absolutely tremendous job. A great catalogue of local marina. Was a good day out and the wee man had a smashing time. The staff are all so friendly and helpful and the feeding times were nice, get to learn more about the fish etc. will be back sooner this time.

Brilliant high quality family experience. Accessible for all. Packed with wonderful sealife viewing areas, informative displays and interactive features. We were very lucky and had opportunity for a hands-on experience with the starfish, crabs and anemones. A memory that will be with us forever. Thank you. Super scientific information and equipment such as digital magnifier and microscopes to use. Fun checklist sheet to do whilst going round. Challenged the adults too! Best of all, the most welcoming, knowledgeable and friendliest of staff! A thoroughly great afternoon out.

Spent a great time here yesterday with the visiting family. Friendly and informative staff on hand. Interesting and well set out aquarium with lots to see and lots to read. Came away with many lovely photographs and five grandchildren were kept completely entertained for the duration of our visit. Thanks very much :)

Fantastic aquarium, great value and very enjoyable. Kids loved it and the feeding and diving sessions were fun to watch! Staff were knowledgeable and friendly.

Still a hit with the kids, lots of different species to see. Some new bits and bobs since we were here a couple of years ago, as well. Managed to catch the show this time, too, good for kids and adults.

The sun was splitting the sky today so we decided to visit Crathes Castle & Estate. The location was very busy as there were extra activities on in the grounds, bouncy things of several shapes and sizes, face painting, arts and crafts etc. It Is a self guided tour through the castle going up one set of very tight circular stairs and returning back down to ground level on a second set of stairs. You do need good mobility to manage these stairs. All the rooms were temperature and humidity controlled to try and preserve the fabrics and furnishings within each room. All the items were most interesting to see but not as old as those in Glamis castle. One advantage of this castle Is that you may take photographs except for one small area. After we completed the tour the heat from the sun guided us to the nearby ice cream vendor followed by a walk around the gardens. The gardens are large and are the home to many exotic plants, trees and shrubs. It Is a full time job for five volunteer gardeners to keep the gardens and grounds in such a wondrous condition. We finished off the day with a quick snack in the cafe. Soft drinks, cakes and cappuccino were enjoyed at a leisurely pace. A great day out, highly recommended.

What a great castle, so well kept and the staff are so full of knowledge The gardens are fabulous and I would suggest a while day, half day at least in the castle if you want to read all the details and do it justice, then a good couple of hours minimum in the gardens. Also great walks around the area also and. A lovely cafe.

This was an absolutely lovely location to come for a day out. The place was really busy due to a family fun day event being on, but there was still so much open space that you never felt hemmed in or on top of other visitors. The lady in the gift shop, and indeed all of the staff we encountered, were very friendly and happy to help us out. The only sad thing was that, whilst the garden was amazing, me and my wife couldn't go in together because we brought our dog. I feel that it should be the case that as long as your dog is kept on a short lead, is well behaved, and they are picked up after (which should be the case on the whole estate anyway) then they should be allowed in the gardens too. Overall a lovely site to visit.

i absolutely loved this castle ...the painted ceilings are just amazing ...Standing against a backdrop of rolling hills and set within its own glorious gardens, Crathes Castle provides a memorable experience with its towers, turrets and stories of its resident ghosts. King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323: the ancient Horn of Leys, which can be seen today in the Great Hall, marks his gift. Inside you’ll find a labyrinth of cultural history, from family portraits to fine antique furniture. The walled garden is a wonderful jungle of history, split into eight sections that encompass every green delight imaginable a sculpted topiary, soft herbaceous colours and modern exotic blooms. The massive yew hedges are thought to have been planted as early as 1702. Crathes Castle Estate was once part of the Royal Forest of Drum. Today there are a range of waymarked and clearly signposted trails. Look out for wildlife along the way – you may see red squirrels, woodpeckers and herons.

We are having a family holiday in Crathes. My wife and I have spent the last two days driving to here, so were pleased of a quiet day. After breakfast, we walked along the Deeside Way, a relatively flat walk from Aberdeen to Ballater, which was as far as the Deeside Railway went. Queen Victoria didn't want the railway to spoil the countryside around Balmoral. We soon came across Crathes signal box now a private residence and the remains if the platforms. Walking on, we came to a fork, with the Deeside Way going left over a pack horse bridge or right, under the road. Little did we realise what a difference taking the right fork would make. Continuing on our walk we came across the Milton of Crathes, a selection of independent shops. From here, we passed some railway carriages and still no signs directing us to the castle. Eventually, we came out beside the main road at Banchory, nearly four Mike's away. It was a very day and would get hotter as the day went on. We asked a local lad which way to the castle and he directed us up a road. It was not the main entrance but one used countries ago. It was a long uphill climb through the welcoming shade of huge trees of all descriptions. Eventually, we arrived at the castle and it looked very different to other castles we have visited. The castle is steeped in history, the one notable thing being it was lived in by the same family for centuries. We had a walk around inside, partly to cool off and partly to find out more about its history. We had a fascinating journey throughout most of the castle. The most fascinating were the painted ceilings, especially the Room of the Nine Nobles, based on great heroes from the past and the Muses' Room, with paintings of nine Muses and seven Virtues. From here, we walked to the cafe to get refreshments, but could believe the scores of wasps making most families lives a misery. In all my years, I have never so many wasps in one place. We drank up and departed for the welcoming shade of a hirse chestnut tree where we ate our lunch. From here, we walked down to the garden where a token allows families access to the gardens. The tokens can be collected from the main desk. The garden is a place of wonder, as with every turn, you see something different and interesting. You can see the castle from different angles which is a treat. Considering the hot sommer we are experiencing, the gardeners have produced a magnificent show for everyone. It seemed every colour was on view, depending on the flowers and which garden beds we were at. We even passed a couple getting married in a centre piece of the garden. We were intrigued by two large bushes close together at the side nearest the castle. It was while we were sat in the gsrden entrance building that we found the answer. The trees were planted in the 1700, and clipped in what we would describe as small urns. (They obviously had some meaning!!) Today, one is an egg sitting on a eggcup and the other is waiting for an egg. We much prefer the latter version. From here, we walked down the main path, the white trail, to the main entrance , stopping to look at the Highland cattle. We came across a bridge which I guess would have been part of the old road. Underneath, water from the large pond flowed down to the river. We followed a path and lo and behold came out at the road bridge we saw earlier on. We were no walking home knowing we didn't have as long a walk as this morning. By now, the heat was building, so a shorter walk was very welcome. Crathes Castle is an interesting place to visit, with lots of space to run around. There is a children's play area and well behaved dogs are welcomed. Crathes Castle has a cafe catering for all tastes and a great gift shop, selling a range of gifts and food.

We didn't go to the castle but WHAT a garden! We went twice and even in the space of 10 days there were different things to see. Absolute must for garden enthusiasts, whether you enjoy the formal topiary or the amazing themed borders. We chatted for a long time with the volunteers, who were very informative. Will happily come back again and again.

It was very nice on the outside, but it was quite expensive to go in (I paid €17), it didn’t really feel like a castle on the inside, felt maybe too modernised? I was expecting something a little bit more medieval with more rooms and corridors to explore, but that’s my fault for not reading about it first! Staff very friendly though, and the gardens were very nice! lots of grass to sit on and relax.

Lovely house steeped in History. Lovely staff. There are a lot of stairs, but there is a lift. It looks like they have a wee cafe on site. But sadly it was closed.

Fabulous house restored to contain wonderful art from the national collection. Glorious 2 floors telling the story of how not to deal with your architect even if it is William Adam! Top floor is exhibition space currently recounting story of Polish war time residents. Staff fabulous and keen to share passion for an amazing site. Closed over lunch and no cafe but sustenance is available in Banff walking distance away

This place is super cute for a quick walk. If you want to go inside, mornings are best. It's less crowded then, so you can really enjoy it. I highly recommend checking it out! Just make sure to go early if you want to head indoors.

Highly recommend a visit to Duff House. Staff are highly knowledge and happy to have a good chat. The artwork inside is stunning, floor to ceiling paintings from many famous artists.

Loved this place . Very helpful, welcoming and informative staff. Thank you for making our visit enjoyable and accommodating with access for my daughter as she is unable to walk up stairs they helped with the use of the lift. Highly recommended x Morag

This was good, however I felt cheated knowing most of the paintings and furniture are on loan from National Gallery etc, and there isn’t much to do with Duff House. However I do understand that it may be difficult finding original items, it felt off. Also the staff are nice but do follow you around, ready to pounce with facts and talking when you just want to look at areas. Although this may be informative to some people, I just wanted to look at everything in peace.

Very rarely leave reviews. But we have just left Duff House and I couldn’t not. Not only is the house beautiful with a wonderful selection of art and antiques. But the staff are so passionate and informed and couldn’t do enough to ensure we enjoyed and got the most out of our stay. They really made us feel welcome on our visit today (Friday 31st Oct 25). I really do hope that any of the management team see this and can feedback to the staff that we’re working today, especially the two blonde Older ladies that were on the second and third floor and then served me at the till in the gift shop as we left. Both were brilliant and you could tell truly passionate about the House and its collection. We were looking for something to burn an hour and ended up staying for 2.5. Really is a must visit if you enjoy art antiques, architecture or history in General!

Had a great couple of hours looking around the museum. We especially enjoyed viewing the Top Gear and Guy Martin exhibitions - Guy's world record bicycle and the crazy (smashed up) go kart are particular highlights. There's a lovely cafe with a good selection of gluten free lunches. It's all dog friendly and the staff were super friendly, even giving the dogs a gravy bone on arrival. It's well worth the fee to enter.

Great outing with kids. made more special by the classic cars show.. how many left? . Thoroughly enjoyed nice sunny day to go along with it as well.

My partner and I visited the Grampian transport museum and was thoroughly impressed by its excellent presentation. It's a must see attraction for any car enthusiast, Top Gear or Guy Martin fan. It almost goes without saying but it's the Top Gear cars that brought me to the museum. I had only found out about it just days prior to my trip when Drivetribe (a popular YouTube channel) had released a video on the indestructible Toyota Hilux that Grampian are now the proud owners of. However, it doesn't stop at just the Hilux, they own many of the iconic TV cars such as the Rambulance, the P45 and even the amphibious vehicles that the legendary trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May tried crossing the English Channel in. Explaining the history of each vehicle was a passionate volunteer Finlay McHardy who really made the day for us. Listening to him talk about the episodes each vehicle was featured in and sharing knowledge not found on the information boards. He even shared some details about what the future may hold for the vehicles... Meaning, if you're thinking they might try and start the Hilux. You may be right. The team at Grampian are sent on courses and trained to try and preserve the exhibits they have on display. The Hilux being no exception. If the pickup truck does indeed still run after time has been added to the concoction of death it's had to endure then it'll be because of the amazing team at Grampian and not the Smallest Cog as many suspect. Moving away from the Top Gear exhibit the museum also features trams, bikes in both push and motorised varieties as well as historic 'transportation of the future' such as the Sinclair C5 a vehicle that I believe was ahead of its time. The museum really is a treasure trove of information with the sheer diversity it has to offer and with plenty to read for those that wish to do so. It's very clear a lot of care has gone into making the exhibits as enjoyable and informative as possible. If all of this sounds tiring or perhaps you're not as passionate as a partner, child or any other acquaintance that you may be travelling with is. Then not to worry there is a lovely café located inside the museum called Motorbites which I feel is a worthy pun. It offers a great range of food and drink at what I found to be a very reasonable price, making it the perfect spot for lunch or just a break! The only negative I can draw from my visit is the behaviour of a school group. The children seemed to treat the museum like a playground, running around without much supervision or respect for the exhibits. While this didn't entirely detract from my experience, it was a minor disruption. However, this is not Grampian's fault and more so the lack of supervision from the responsible adults of the school trip. Overall I had a great time. So much so that if you look hard enough you may find my name, Finlay's name or many others dotted around the exhibits as the museum offer a vehicle adoption scheme for a one of fee of £25. This goes towards running the museum and the upkeep of the exhibits as Grampian is owned and operated by a registered charity of which I was more than happy to support. So on that bombshell, it's a 5/5 from me

Delightful small museum which I’ve visited several times over the years but never taken my granddaughter so decided to go yesterday & support local. Some new items since last time there. Top gear really good as you remember it from seeing it on tv & good to see their creations in real life. Sadly what let’s the place down is the cafe as my granddaughter wanted the kids lunch box which is a sandwich, juice, etc. they couldn’t do a tuna sandwich at 2.12pm ?? However said we could have egg /bacon? how difficult would it have been to make a wee tuna sandwich ?? So we didn’t have lunch. I mentioned this at desk on way out as a suggestion to do sandwiches at any time of the day but he didn’t seem very interested to hear what I had to say. Outdoor play area is disappointing- not kept well not clean. They used to have a super bit for kids to go round small circuit in cars in the play area but that’s not there anymore. So all in all they happy to charge £27 for 2 adults 1 child but clearly doesn’t go into maintaining the kids area.

The visit was great, there was lots to see while the top gear exhibit was on, it was like meeting my childhood heros 🤣

£13 entry, reasonably priced gift shop and a great selection of cars to see, including the top gear special cars.

Fantastic day out. The museum is outstanding, and then the car event on the track at the rear was awesome

A car park big enough for over 6 vehicles. Short walk to entrance building with small shop selling gifts and treats. Entrance fee payable. The castle is big and an outhouse also exists to explore. The main castle has some restrictions to access and intricate details have been protected from the weather. Still an impressive size with prison, cellars, great hall, kitchen, bedrooms etc. Outside is a building with a bakery and a brew house. Part of the original medieval road exists just outside.

The castle ruins is incredible. The size is quite impressive, between the cellars, the prison, the living rooms and the different rooms you will spent 1h . All the explanations are really good, the story of it is fascinant. Highly recommanded.

Enjoyed a lovely family day out. Admission was reasonably priced. Walked around the ruins had inside and outdoor areas. Some pebbled areas, steps to climb and different levels to negotiate but not to much for the young children in the party aged between (3 and 6) Disabled access is limited to the surrounds as climbing stairs inside the towers may present difficulties. There was parking facilities outside and a nice park with play area and picnic area close to the river which was very picturesque.

Went first thing it opened, the older gentleman we chated with inside the castle was super happy to be there, he felt like a personal tour guide and you could tell he loved what he was doing.

this is a wonderful castle ruins and so definitely worth a visit...the site is home to a number of castles during its history ...a medieval road lays next to the current ruin as well ...Once a magnificent, sumptuous and ornate building, Huntly Castle is a large and ruinous old stronghold and palace in a pretty wooded location, long the seat of the powerful Gordon Earls and Marquises of Huntly and with a long and violent history, just north of the Aberdeenshire town of Huntly.

Huntly castle is a must see castle whilst visiting aberdeenshire for all its a ruin there is still allot to see and you can use your imagination to fill in the blanks. There is a well stocked shop that sells everything from books to souvenirs to fridge magnets the people who run the site are very friendly and welcoming and happy to answer any question that you might have. There is decent parking next to the castle so no issues there also toilets are avaliable. The views from on top of Huntly castle are well worth the effort. 10/10

A very beautiful Castle, I spent hours exploring and there are beautiful walks and praks in the surrounding area. A fantastic day out. 🤩🤩

Good little cafe and exhibition. Easy access to the shingle banks. Guided tours of the ice house available. Great walk around the nature reserve too. Managed to see an osprey too as an added bonus.

This is a beautiful centre, with a lovely cafe, where you can learn, explore and see dolphins enjoying their natural habitat. We were lucky enough to enjoy other wildlife on our visit such as ospreys, lizards and kingfishers. The staff are incredible, they shared so much knowledge and insight with us. You must listen to the informative talk about bones and join the Ice House tour for a real insight into our history. James and Hope were exceptional. A must do and see if you are in the area!

We didn't see any Dolphins but they don't guarantee that you will. Lovely walk on the beach, it is all pebbles so thick soled shoes/boots are advisable. Food and hot drinks available in cafe. Small gift shop.

Lovely place to visit lots of wildlife if you're lucky dolphins passing great for a walk with the dog there's toilets shop coffee

Really nice little cafe & Shop X the exhibition on the dolphins is full of useful information X lovely setting, and views X we were fortunate enough to be able to watch the Osprey hunting while we were there, he flew right over our heads & gave us both (separately) a 10/15 minute display x unfortunately didn't see any 🐬 dolphins but they hadn't been recorded for 2 days so clearly tides & winds weren't right X would recommend it to anyone x

Amazing place, amazing people, an absolutely amazing cause. Cafe is also excellent, very nice fresh food served with very little wait (as its all freshly prepared) they don't like waste and nor do we. Its also very very environmentally friendly both cafe and shop. Amazing products, supporting local artists as well as their own clothing which is all recycled 100% cotton, also supporting so many people with their citizen science programme. I can't say enough about how amazing this place is. Their is also a bird reserve just by as its at the mouth of the river Spey. Dolphins, porpoise seen nearly daily.

Wonderful place to visit. Be prepared to climb over rocks and the pebble beach to look for the Dolphins, although we did not see any the visitor centre was well worth a visit and cafe serves lovely food

Beautiful & Legendary Distillery We decided to visit Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, as we were visiting the nearby Balvenie castle. We really enjoyed it and thought this place was great. It looks the part, a bit Victorian a bit Scottish, it is really nice & well maintained. I have know this Whisky my whole life, even living in Switzerland, somehow it was always in the bars, clubs I was going to. I imagined it would of been a larger and more industrial place. I was happy to see it was more normal, smaller, etc. This is somewhat in the heart of Speyside's whisky region do visit if you can! The tour (like most of them in Scotland explains the production and making process, of whisky. Really worth your time and highly recommended from us. Note they also have a great shop and bar.

Had my first-ever distillery tour at Glenfiddich! Our guide was hilarious! super engaging and very informative 😂 The place itself is absolutely stunning and filled with history. The whisky tasting was alright, but it was still really fun to learn the story behind the drinks. Such an interesting and memorable experience!

Our tour guide was super knowledgeable, friendly, always stopped to ask us if we had any questions, and took his time with us and didn’t rush things along. The tasting room was super nice, very exclusive feeling, and there were only a handful of us on the tour together, so it felt very personal. 100% recommend.

Unforgettable Tasting Experience The Glenfiddich 1990 and 1992 Sherry Oak casks are hands down the best whiskies I’ve ever tasted, truly exceptional! Deep, rich, and perfectly balanced. A standout moment in an already fantastic tasting.

We were passing the Glenfiddich Distillery when we met a very friendly security guard. He invited us to have a look around so we did. All the tours were booked up. We chatted with various people and visited the shop which was very busy. Next time we visit we might book a tour and that would give a better understanding of this very popular industry.

Of course, Glenfiddich isn't exactly an insider tip. But the tour of the distillery is unparalleled—and we experienced many on our tour. Glenfiddich is one of the gold standards when it comes to Scottish whisky and shows that even a large distillery can impress with individuality and quality.

Great distillery. DO THE TOUR! Get there early and do the first one for the day. Our guide was Drew and he was brilliant. Well worth it.

Brilliant walk, amazing views across various trails, lots of them to choose from. Some shorter than others but most are lengthy so if that's your thing then go for it! The one around the loch offers great views and the difficulty is rather easy so good for beginner walkers. We walked up to the top of black hill and then back down and around the loch which was quite lengthy but worth it, especially the walk around the loch. The view from up black hill was great but you'd probably get better ones from atop different peaks around the area. Overall a brilliant experience, stunning nature views and a great glance at the estate.

Beautiful, we did the 8 mile circuit around the Loch, with bikes. Not one of my best ideas but worth it,

Best and moderate trekking place with amazing views if you're near to Aberdeen and shire. 2 major routes one is circuit and the other is getting to top and both are very reachable and can be done with in 4-5 hours combined. If you're lucky you will see stags - largest I've seen in scotland from that close

We came on a little family holiday to Ballater, my son being obsessed with nature was desperate to see some Red deer stags. We were told by so many people that the stags would be hiding away in the hills but today we got lucky. The walk, the views, the wildlife was just breathtaking. The weather was mostly sunny with showers of rain, windy but warm. Would 100% recommend a visit.

It is worth visiting, leaving the car in the car park. Walk 15-20 minutes to the lake. Spectacular views, only it rained the whole way.

We had a memorable time together hiking around Loch Muick. We walked from Ballater to the loch which took us around 4 hours. We enjoyed our hike, deers running around and the natural beauty around loch.

Beautiful loch around an hour and a half west of Aberdeen. Well worth a visit and a walk up the southern side gives stunning views of the Loch below.

On my way to visit the Balmoral Castle, I was recommended to see this place for tasting. As you recognise, this place has got “royal” title which is quite rare among the distilleries. Once I stepped in, the staff was amazing and very helpful. I ve also got nice tricks for tasting a scotch and my point of view to whiskey is totally positively changed. I know what I am not supposed to do while drinking scotch anymore ☺️ Thanks everyone there

Visiting Royal Lochnagar Distillery was an absolute highlight of our trip. The distillery is charming, beautifully located, and rich in history. The tour was very well organized, with clear explanations of the whisky-making process and a welcoming atmosphere throughout. We especially appreciated how everything was presented with such detail and passion, which made the experience both educational and enjoyable. Stuart, our guide, was excellent and added to the overall quality of the visit. A must-see for anyone interested in Scotch whisky and Scottish heritage!

Hung out with Stuart (guide) here for an afternoon. Wonderfully self-deprecating humor, he had. Lovely walk from the castle nearby and you get 15% off if you show your castle ticket. Incredibly mild, but still complex whiskies. Great old distillery with lots of history, exposed stone and wood. I think I’ll have another.

Phenomenal experience learning about whiskey and sampled excellent batches! If you love whiskey I highly recommend. Our guide Marie was fantastic!

Very nice small batch distillery that offers a nice tour and tastings experience. Bar and restaurant on site. Staff is informative and very friendly.

It was great experience, small distillery, really cozy and visit is highly personalized. We made the tour with Dave, wonderful guy

Our distillery tour guide, Annie, was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable. Nice but small gift shop, free parking, clean bathrooms, and we enjoyed trying their products in their tasting room.

Bought an interior tour ticket way in advance which means you get priority parking at the castle too which was really handy- was able to leave things in the car (jacket, umbrella etc) and picked them up in the afternoon when needed. Arrived in advance and was let in for an early start. Overall such a calm, incredibly beautiful estate with flowers, lawns, a river, outdoor buildings and enjoyed the interior tour too. Albert‘s pyramid / cairn is a separate walk outside the grounds which I hadn‘t realised. Great cafe next to the castle.

Such a wonderful experience to walk around the grounds and view the Castle. It was so beautiful. The Restaurant was amazing with excellent quality food. The Shop was beautifully stocked and the displays where awesome. Just a fantastic experience ✨️ Thank You

I enjoyed my visit and it was very interesting to see all the new planting taking place, especially the trees and maze. You do need to go when the weather is fine because there would be few places to shelter in the rain. I would recommend asking for an audible guide. This wasn't offered when I purchased my ticket and I believe it would have made my experience more interesting.

Thank You to HRH King Charles III for the new wonderful, colourful flower, tree & shrub displays. The best in the country, such Vision. Our 4pm house tour was incredible, historic and we felt much closer to the Royal Family. Well done also to your team of hard workers.

One of the best places you can visit in Scotland. It is still used by his majesty the King and his family but as you might guess visitors are not allowed to get inside the castle. Only one room is included for visitors which is “ball room” that you can find many beautiful details carved and painted inside. Gardens are amazing. Especially the river walk trail is calming and relaxing with the sweet sound of river Dee. If you are interested in distillery tours keep your Balmoral Castle ticket so that you can get %15 discount on Royal Lochnagar Distillery which is located nearby.

I have a special attachment to this castle since my grandmother and grandfather worked and met. I brought my grandson here to show him. The grounds are large, and the gardens are well maintained. We were only allowed into the ballroom, but that was impressive. There is a restaurant where you can have tea or lunch. I was surprised on how good the food was and how reasonable the price was.

Very quiet and tranquil place to visit. The grounds are extremely well presented and amazing views. Only 1 room which was a hall you visit which had an interesting display for the history of the castle. There are nice walks around the castle and on site cafe. It's a long drive to get there but great day out.

Very nice ruin. Well maintained. Very nice staff at main entrance who gave us a snippet of what to see and expect. Lovely view of Elgin from the top. The stairs up were well maintained, not too narrow, not a hard climb either. I do recommend. We used explorer pass to enter.

Signed up for annual Historic Scotland pass. Visited the cathedral while touring the Moray Firth area. Found the site to be well kept with loads of informative information on it's history. Staff were great and answered my questions. Recommend

remarkable abbey ruin ...would've been amazing to see in its day as what's left is looks pretty amazing ...lots carvings as well. . Even as a ruin, the cathedral shines out as one of Scotland's most ambitious and beautiful medieval buildings. Begun in 1224, Elgin was the principal church of the bishops of Moray. It lost its roof shortly after the Protestant Reformation of 1560, and later its central tower fell.

Beautiful place to visit. What a view from the top. Plenty of stairs, so be warned. Kids were engrossed in the history hunt, and we had to ask one of Historic Scotland reps to help us complete the last few.

We visited Elgin Cathedral today and absolutely loved our experience. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, and to our delight, we were even allowed to bring our dogs with us onto the beautiful grounds. That made the visit extra special and unforgettable for us. We are so grateful for this wonderful experience!

Hauntingly evocative ruins in stone. Curated exhibitions in the surviving snd partially restored towers add to appreciation of the time and place when Elgin was an active cathedral. The decorative stone sculptures are unique surviving treasures; some are whimsical and others are quite skillfully made. There is a nearby parking lot for easy access.

Well worth a visit! Good informative interior displays of mostly the "bits" that have fallen off and grand views of Elgin from the top of one of the towers. Friendly and helpful staff.

Historical & fabulous Whisky & Tour Cardhu has ALWAYS been my favorite whisky. Even whilst living abroad (Switzerland, France, etc), I would always drink Cardhu. Not sure if it is the bottle, the colour of the whisky the taste & smell, but this was always clearly my favorite (since the end of the 90's probably). Therefore obviously visiting Scotland, this was a must stop for me. We visiting the Distillery with my family and really enjoyed it. The kids too thought it was really interesting. The tour is super informative but also fun. To be noted you end with a little tasting then you can also sample the shop, which is beautiful and one of the nicest I have seen for a distillery shop. This is a highly recommended tour by me!

Really enjoyed our tour of Cardhu. Very informative, interesting and very well presented y Alicia. I am not usually a whiskey drinker but would highly recommend doing this tour. We felt very welcome from the minute we walked through the doors. Lovely setting too. Great tour thanks so much!

Before visiting Scotland, my boyfriend and I weren’t familiar with Cardhu. We actually got the tip to visit Cardhu Distillery from an associate at the Johnny Walker Experience in Edinburgh. We booked ahead of time and had the pleasure of taking a tour with Erin. We ended up being the only ones who signed up for our tour time, which ended up being fantastic as we had a lot of questions! Erin is very kind and has a strong knowledge of whisky and we learned a lot about the whisky process. We truly enjoyed our visit to Cardhu Distillery thanks to Erin’s excellent tour.

Raise the red flag of Cardhu and many thanks to Kirsten for a fantastic tour and tasting! Perhaps the most compelling and enduring story of 2 women leaders, one a founder (Helen Cumming). Started as an illicit distillery (13 years) around 1811, before becoming legal and then combining forces as Johnny Walker’s supplier. Don’t miss the golden statues of Helen & Johnny walking into the bright future together!

We had a very nice family tour! If you want a real whisky journey and learn reasons behind each taste note in your sips of whisky, it’s your place! Zoe was a very good guide and we thank to her as whole family!

Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable and passionated by the handcrafting of Cadhu whisky. Very detailed and friendly presentation of all the steps of distillation. The place is absolutely beautiful, lost in the middle of the Speyside. Worth a visit if you’re around the region.

Absolutely lovely guided tour. I strongly recommend it! If you drive, do not worry, they will provide for free small nice bottle kit for you to carry away after the tasting.

We are not whisky drinkers, but we really enjoyed the tour at Glenlivet Distillery. It was a very interesting and informative tour, and we left with a deeper appreciation of the science and art behind a great single malt Scotch Whisky. Our tour was conducted by Amber, and she did a fantastic job in explaining all the details clearly. A special mention too for Emma, who kindly allowed us to join the tour even when we were late to arrive.

A Fantastic Experience at The Glenlivet! Our visit to The Glenlivet was absolutely wonderful! The distillery itself is stunning — surrounded by breathtaking scenery and beautifully maintained inside and out. Our tour guide, Caitlynn, made the experience even better. She was fun, friendly, and incredibly informative, sharing the history and process behind The Glenlivet with great enthusiasm. It was the perfect balance of education and enjoyment. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Speyside!

Wow, what a beautiful distillery and tasting room. We came in to the distillery while we were out hiking the Drumin Castle Circuit, which is the same hike as the George Smith Smugglers Trail, except for the starting point as the Smugglers Trail starts at the distillery. We had tastings, and my hen and I also had margaritas made with the Caribbean Reserve. Our tasting consisted of very generous pours of the Captain's Reserve, Caribbean Reserve and 15 years of age single malt scotch whisky. Honestly we were not too keen on any of them. I would say we may had needed to push on and try some more until we found the one to our liking, but we needed to finish our hike. If we had drank anymore I sure we would had crawled instead of walk the rest of the trail 😂 We did very much enjoyed the margaritas, but I think we will just keep using tequila instead of the Caribbean Reserve, as it cost £30 for a 70 cl bottle. We would like to thank the Glenlivet Estate and The Glenlivet Distillery staff for their wonderful hospitality as we had a grand time!

We had an amazing time at The Glenlivet Distillery, Ross was an outstanding guide! He was incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and made the whole experience both educational and fun. The history, the behind-the-scenes look at the whisky-making process, and of course, the tasting, absolutely top-notch. If you're visiting Speyside, this tour is a must. Thanks, Ross!

Had an awesome time at The Glenlivet Distillery! The tour isn’t as pricey as some others, but it’s packed with history and fun facts about both the brand and Scotch whisky in general. You get to try three whiskies at the end — the 12, 14, and 16-year-old — which is a nice change from the usual 12, 15, and 18. They also give you a 10% discount voucher for any whisky purchase, and you can sample more before you buy. Great whisky, great value, and a really enjoyable.

Although we didn’t get to join the tour, we were totally impressed by the place! The bar was exceptionally nice, and the staff were so sweet and welcoming. We picked up a few souvenirs on our way out and hopefully, we’ll get to try the tour next time!

During my visit to Scotland I wanted to have a whiskey tasting experience and I was thrilled to see the Glenlivet distillery was couple ours away from the place I stayed as Glenlivet is one of my favorite whiskeys. The day I had booked I was running late and called them and asked can they accommodate me and my friends for a later tour. Even it was clearly said they would not be able to reschedule for later time, in the booking details, they told me they will try their best to include me in a later tour as I mentioned I was visiting all the way from New York. Now for the tour I should mention, Amber was really welcoming, knowledgeable and very pleasant the way she interact with guests. Thanks Amber. The Distillery itself sits in a nice estate with beautiful surroundings. Inside the building is modern with a nice waiting area a bar and a store. Although they could improve the variety of merch they have in the store, they have decent offerings.

Viepoints 1 & 2 are benches, viewpoint 3 is a bench and picnic table and bench plus great view..... very peaceful

Brilliant place. The landscape varies with the seasons. Easy to get a wee bit lost, as we did, but a great place for a wonder

Great forest with loads of walks and wildlife, spoilt only by the fact that we didn't see a single dog ON a lead the twice we visited for a long walk. It's caper and other ground bird nesting season but the signs requesting that dogs be kept on short leads were being universally ignored :-(

Beautiful walk from the town down to the river Spey. Lots of side paths just waiting to be explored, which I would have done if I had been staying for longer. The main path is lined by painted stones, presumably done by the local schoolchildren.

Beautiful woods. Saw Red squirrel, Roe deer, lots of chanterelle and blaeberry. Paths are well made and clearly marked. Great place for a walk with wee ones

Excellent walks

Plenty walks or strolls all in all a lovely place to go

A lovely little distillery with an interesting story told during the guided tour. Big thanks to my man Brian for delivering an amazing tour! The tasting at the end featured three great tasting older whiskies! Big recommend!

Gorgeous distillery with quality scotch. Unlike some of the larger distilleries in the area, they seem to really focus on making a great product and keeping to tradition. The tasting was wonderful and our guide was knowledgeable

Wonderful place, wonderful staff. Tipped by Brian (distiller) to go for a quick visit on the late Saturday afternoon, welcomed by Susan who recognised us immediately from the Ceilidh the night before, we tried the Contrast tasting. Personal favourites are the Contrast Organic and the Double Matured (Bordeaux Wine Cask finish). And thanks to Steven for the free Ceilidh lessons!

Very beautiful distillery and a highly recommended tour (explorer tour). Our tour guide was very nice and she explained everything very well.

We had an incredible tour and tasting at Benromach Distillery. It was a quick and easy train ride from Inverness, and located just a five minute walk away from the station. Our tour guide was fun and informative. There is so much history here! Because it was off season we had a solo tour but that meant we had plenty of time for questions and pictures of this beautiful space. Definitely try the gin too! It’s lovely!

Fantastic tour, exceptionally friendly and helpful visitor Centre staff and outstanding whiskies to sample. Not corporate in the slightest. Shout out to your guide Matthew who was outstanding. Highly recommended.

Thoroughly enjoyed our tour and tasting here. My wife and I had not had Benromach before, and really enjoyed the lightly peated that we tasted. The Red Door gin was also quite nice! I don’t know what tour we did (it was set up by our guide) but Robert (Bob) was fantastic, indeed all of the employees we came in contact with were great. Truly delightful experience that ran long during the tasting (lots of questions by us and the other people that were in our tour - plus adding the gin tasting!) but the staff had no issues and were very patient. Will definitely be purchasing some Benromach in the future! Some folks gripe about not being able to take pictures in certain locations, but this is a standard practice at numerous if not all distilleries.

Gandalf must have walked up at some point and commanded the rocks to form into a nice staircase for a good chunk of the route. Well done Gandalf. One has to pass the skeletal remains of spidery ski lifts and snow machines, which looks absurd in the warmer months, but once above these there's a sense of some wildness (apart from Gandalf's DIY obvs). 10/10

Nice summit to climb (1250m) ! About 600m of difference with the starting point ! The climb is easy, can be done in family. If you want more, you can make a bigger loop going through the « Northern corries »

Spectacular hike here from Ben Macdui. Stunning and I really hope to be back for another go in the future

Disappointing- not even a KFC or Mac Donald’s, could take a tip a from Snowdon and get a train or bus to the summit. Shopping malls virtually non existent, weather was bad too! Otherwise great!

Absolutely magnificent. My daughter and I spent an incredibly breathtaking day there. The scenery is the stuff postcards are made of. Love ut and didn't want to leave. Thank you Scotland😘

for my outdoorsy brethren do not miss this spot while in Scotland.

I went up this as a teenager and 40 years later I'm trying to locate where Dad's slides were taken and it is NOT HELPED by this pin and the associated photosphere being on the wrong summit. Make sure you use a reputable map and don't just rely on your phone.

We went here for the play gardens and found out there's a soft play for the really little ones. The play gardens are lovely and well kept as you would expect. We spent about an hour going round and having fun, though there wasn't as many activities as I'd been led to believe. However I was surprised to be told the cafe has a soft play (for children under 110cm in height). When we went in it's really aimed at under 5s I'd say. It was perfect for my little one. She enjoyed this more than the play gardens. I should add that wherever I read the info for the gardens made it out to be free. While you don't pay as such to get in, the amount you pay when parking depends on what area of the estate you are visiting. If you wish to visit the castle grounds (which includes the play gardens) it's £5 for the day (per car). Adding the castle costs a little extra. Note: it's free for those with National Trust memberships. I had no issues paying this, but it came a little unexpected and thought I should mention it here in case it was important to someone else. Something to mention is that the staff who we came into contact at various points were all very polite, friendly and welcoming and offered guidance and assistance where needed.

Nice tour, with very informative in person Tour guide. Castle grounds and gardens are very nice and well kept. Great place for photos. In spring it would be fantastic with a huge selection of Daffodils. We stayed in the Garden house for 5 days and was absolutely great. Super quiet well furnished historic 2 story house. Huge living room with private garden and full dining room. 2 upstairs bedrooms up a steep set of nicely carpeted steps. Full kitchen as well.

We visited Brodie Castle this Sunday and had an amazing time! It’s dog-friendly, which is a huge bonus — we were able to enjoy the day with our 10-year-old Lab. The gardens were truly inspirational. I especially loved the extended meadow areas and the large vegetable garden with an orchard. All of the play areas were well-kept, clean, and safe. There’s something for all ages — from 8 to 45! The staff were very friendly and welcoming. Access to the gardens and play areas is free, and we only paid £5 for parking, which is a small price considering the number of attractions on offer. Highly recommended, especially in good weather! We’ll definitely be back!

A lovely historic building that was brought to life as a former family home by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our charismatic tour guide. Good facilities including two small and reasonably priced cafés (lunch of soup, oatcakes, cake and pot of tea cost about £10.40). Lovely grounds to explore and a children's play garden that was clearly being enjoyed. I visited on an October week day and it was not busy, a pleasantly comfortable and unhurried 3-4 hour visit.

We really like Brodie Castle. Our tour guide was new, but exceptional and she really added to our experience. The outside had some beautiful walking trails and we loved the huge beech tree. There were no formal gardens, but the children’s garden was so creative and really well done. If you have children, I’d highly recommend a stop here. The children’s garden was very well planned and the best we’d seen!

Visited the gardens and cafe . Staff all helpful and friendly. Two nice cafes with lovely cakes. spent a whole afternoon in the gardens and play parks. Children and adults enjoyed the play garden especially the musical areas. The big bunny was great to see. Children did the sheet to find the white rabbits and fill in the names, great idea to involve children. We didn't walk round all the areas so would certainly return.

If you have never been to a Scotish Castle I recommend Brodie Castle. Why? It is in the countryside away from traffic with plenty of parking. There is a very well organized tour with plenty of time to ask questions without feeling pressured. Several cafes are on the grounds with picnic tables to enjoy a lunch or snack. There is a playground for children. There are trails through the woods to follow . Clean bathrooms are on-site.

Good view up at Ben Vrackie. Spend around 3.5 hr to the top and back. A bit steep and windy just after the lake on the way up.

Lovely walk, beautiful views on a clear day. Fairly steady walk until you get to the Loch, then it's a steep incline to the top that is pretty challenging. It took us roughly 3 and a half hours start to finish. If you're taking a dog I'd recommend taking a long line as there's quite a lot of sheep and deer about.

A reasonably steep start through the trees, a gentle open middle section to the beautiful Loch and then a steep climb to the trig point on top. Excellent distant views. About 3.5 hours round trip with stops

If you're in the area, I highly recommend hiking Ben Vrackie. We got up early at 7:00 in May, and despite the initial mist, it cleared up beautifully to reveal stunning views. Going up, the trail was pretty quiet, and we had the summit all to ourselves. The views from the top were absolutely breathtaking, and we could see for miles when it was clear. The hike down was busier with lots of hikers. While the hike was fairly easy at the bottom, the steps at the top make for a tough finish. Overall, a wonderful hike that is well worth it for the amazing views. About 3:15 moving and 4(ish) hours in total we we're staying quite close!

Worth the hike up to the top, half way up you meet the lake then it becomes quite steep with steps the rest of the way.

The out and back walk up to Ben Vrackie is a great day out. As others have said, it is not a walk to be taken lightly. The first section up through the woods from the car park is straightforward. As you emerge from the woods, you have a walk uphill on a good path across the open moorland, with the route ahead clearly visible. From this angle, the route up to the summit of Ben Vrackie looks intimidating. The pull up to Loch Choire seems to take some time but is never arduous, that said, it is open and exposed to the weather. Once at the loch, the hard work begins, as there is a long winding path, made mainly of well made rock steps that looked steep and difficult from afar, but is actually relatively simple. There are a lot of steps, but it is never too exposed or steep. The final leg takes some stamina, but we managed it with some 11 year olds. The summit itself is great, no steep drops and wonderful views - a superb spot to drink in the views. The easiest way back is to retrace one’s steps. This makes a great big hill for a family of fit and well equipped hikers. Make sure you take warm layers, and a map and compass.

Fairly easy walk upto the lake, great for those who arent hardcore hikers or just starting out, there is a number of benches to catch your breath/rest or to admire the scenery, last section is steps the rest of the way and the hardest part of the trail but the incredible views at the top are worth the effort Took me an hour and a half to reach summit from the furthest away car park as there is two car parks and a map to show other walks in the surrounding areas of Pitlochry

Fun and good with kids - won't hold the all day but half or a bit more. Queues at peak time can see you wait anywhere from 10 to over 30 minutes - especially for the main attractions (water slides...). While there are multiple things to see and do, we felt we were coming back to a couple mainly, trying to balance queues waiting time and value! Few fast food stands with the quality you would expect from this type of place - nothing gastro of course!

A bit expensive but with the money. Great fun for the whole family. You can easily spend whole day there having fun on various attractions. Always book your ticket in advance online for a nice discount.

This was the first of many activities we booked before arriving to stay in Aviemore and what a great place to start off our holiday. Fun activities for kids and grown ups alike, I personally went out of my comfort zone and did the high ropes, having never done anything like that before it really tested me but so glad I did it, my daughter even did the skydive and showed great bravery

Landmark Forest Adventure Park is a fantastic day out for families! The panoramic views from the treetop tower are absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping forests and Highland mountains as far as the eye can see. The Cairngorms lookout point is both scenic and informative. Our kids had an amazing time, especially enjoying the water slide and the climbing facilities, which were safe, exciting, and well-designed. We also loved spotting butterflies in the tropical area. Beautifully maintained, fun, and full of natural beauty. Highly recommended for all ages.

Nestled in the forest, this Adventure Park is brilliant, we came just as the local schools went back which meant there were no queues at all. There is so much to do and explore as well as some really good activities. My 3 year old has told us it's his favourite place now thanks to the water slides. Great for all ages!

Went with husband, you defenetly do not need children to enjoy an adventure and to go out your comfort zone. Staff were friendly, loads to do with or without children. Beautiful grounds, informative information especially about dinosaurs 🦕 my husband especially enjoyed the water ride and the bid trampoline. Butterfly 🦋 house has lots of other interesting things, defenetly worth a visit for young and old with or without children.

Lots of fun to enjoy, all included in the ticket price. Handy facilities everywhere Even in the rain. Thoughtfully well designed details. Surrounded by wonderful forest nature. Very attractive well designed nature knowledge for both children and aldults. Superb for all the age! Would love to buy annual tickets if live close by!

Beautiful peaceful place. Single track road to car park, small shop for ice cream & drinks.

One of the visits I liked most on my trip to Scotland. A beautiful walk around the lake, seeing a small castle on the water. One of the very few places with free parking.

A fabulous 3.25 mile walk around the beautiful Loch an Eilein. The scenery is outstanding, and it’s a lovely place for a wild swim too!

A perfect place for a leisurely stroll around the loch. We came back this time with our daughter who loved playing in the rocks. I’d highly recommend this place for a visit.

We chose this spot because it was recommended for having an overnight car park. After a long drive, we were shocked to find the price had jumped from £15 last year to £38 this year — more than double. What was once a busy, welcoming and beautiful spot no longer feels worth the cost. A real shame, as it now seems like motorhomes are being priced out of what used to be a wonderful place to stay.. email of complaint inbound.

Lovely place to visit for a walk and relax. Well looked after path around the Loch with astonishing views of the island and castle in the middle of the loch. Lots of history about the Wolf of the Badenoch. Large parking area with toilets nearby. The shop has some local produce along with souvenirs.

Best walk ever in Scotland for me, beautiful views of mountains and lochs, the castle on the small island in the middle of the loch was just ethereal ⭐

Didn’t ride the train this time, but loved visiting the Strathspey Railway. Friendly volunteers, great atmosphere, and even got platform tickets for some photos with my 85mm lens. Knowing it’s run entirely by volunteers makes it even more special. Can’t wait to come back for the full trip!

I went to ride on the steam train from Aviemore to Broomhill and return with my parents when we were on holiday in Scotland and I am very pleased to say that our experiences were absolutely amazing! The volunteers were very friendly and helpful, the steam locomotive and carriages that we rode on were all immaculate, the views of the beautiful countryside was absolutely stunning and the journey was restful! Thank you to the volunteers for their amazing hospitality and service!

Quite an experience for anyone it's just 40min from Inverness and can be a detour for anyone going to Perth Glasgow or Edinburgh.the trains are beautiful and exploring the stations is magical. Overall a great experience

Brilliant experience going on the steam train, we sat in standard seats but ther is a trolly service. Afternoon tea is available too. Loved it. Got off at Boat of Garten and had a wonder then got next train back. The Observation carriage is brilliant too.

The train ride itself was good. I would have like to have someone announce when we passing something of significance. A big deal was Mde about keeping your tickets, but they were never checked. Nice scenic train ride though.

Great experience and very well organised. We did the “light lunch” and it was nicely presented. The trip to Broomhill and back is a great day out, with stunning scenery all the way.

Review of Strathspey Railway (Aviemore Station) The Strathspey Railway is a delightful heritage attraction based at Aviemore Station, offering visitors the chance to step back into the golden age of rail travel. From the moment you arrive on Platform 3, the atmosphere is filled with nostalgia: vintage carriages, traditional station charm, and the warm welcome of volunteer staff who clearly love what they do. The journey itself runs from Aviemore through the Cairngorms to Broomhill, taking around 40 minutes each way. The scenery is breathtaking, with rolling Highland landscapes, riverside stretches along the Spey Valley, and charming glimpses of rural life. It’s a wonderfully relaxing way to enjoy the area. Accessibility is another strength. The station and trains are well equipped with ramps and wide access points, and staff are quick to assist anyone with mobility or sensory needs. Reviews from wheelchair users and families with blind or disabled relatives often praise the care and consideration they received. There are, however, a few cautions to bear in mind. Occasionally, the steam locomotive is unavailable, with a diesel engine used instead—something that can disappoint younger visitors expecting the full steam experience. At busier times, organisation can feel a little rushed, with long queues and a scramble for seats. Prices, while justifiable for a heritage experience, are on the higher side, so it’s best treated as a special day out. Overall, the Strathspey Railway from Aviemore Station is a charming and memorable way to experience both Highland scenery and railway nostalgia. The combination of heritage trains, warm service, it is a standout attraction in the region. Just be sure to book in advance, check whether steam will be running, and allow yourself to slow down and enjoy the journey.

Enjoyed this place. It is gloriously understated, especially when compared to other stately homes (and occupied castles) and yet remained regal, pleasant and interesting to visit. There were no vulgar displays of excessive wealth found in so many. Audio guide was good. Garden wasn't in the prime largely due to my arrival in the later part of September.

very impressive castle and gardens ..definitely a must see when visiting inverness...This fortification founded by William the Lion in 1179 was sited to command the ford over the river Nairn near the sea. That castle has since vanished without trace. The family had another residence at Old Calder which, according to the Exchequer accounts, was last repaired in 1398. Again, not much remains of that building apart from faint crop-marks. A new, more efficient site was chosen. The imposing, rectangular tower-house consisted of four storeys and a garret with only one entrance to the outside world. Repaired and enlarged every century since, the Castle as you see it today is a family home like no other

Really well organised castle and gardens. This is a real castle where the owners live in for the good part of the year and you can feel it. Modern "tour guide" technology in different languages is another advantage. Much better experience than the average medieval castle.

Lovely Castle to walk around with lots of interesting history. We spent around 2 hours there and also had some lunch at the cafe which had delicious apple juice made from the apples in their orchard and a selection of vegan cakes. Super friendly staff who were happy to answer all questions. Gardens were beautiful!

Excellent visitor attraction and a great day out. The castle is well preserved and still occupied by the descendants of the original Thane of Cawdor. Rich in history and interesting to explore. The gardens and grounds are beautiful. Highly recommend this castle if you are visiting the area. Cafe and gift shop on site.

Plenty of parking, beautiful castle and interesting history. Complimentary audio tour was easy to use. Cafe was good. Loved wandering around the gardens, which were very peaceful to sit in.

A lovely glimpse into the history & life cycle of a castle that is still lived in. Interesting Self guided audio tour and informational panels very well done, extremely friendly docents spaced throughout. Go early as it does get very busy. Beautiful grounds to explore as well.

The story of Fort George is very interesting as you wander around the largely deserted camp. It is truly caught in a time warp with hints of the modern British Army thrown in for fine measure. Its palpable as you walk into the camp across the bridge. You sense what it must have been like for troops about to undergo training. There are toilets on site. There is also a very fine cafe. The staff are very welcoming. The cafe was spotless. The museum on site is run by dedicated people who really know all there is to know about the site and it's history. They are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. The items on display in the museum are exceptional and a lot of thought has gone into the layout. There is also a couple of gift shops on the site. Both offering items you would expect to find.

I TOTALLY LOVED FORT GEORGE!!! 🏰🐬. We visited Fort George on a Sunday, it was quite busy but we didn't have to wait long to buy our tickets, which were reasonably priced, £10-£11 for adults, £8-£9 concessions, and roughly £6 for kids. My mum is a carer for my dad so she got in for free. The Fort itself is massive, around the same size as 40 football fields. It is a star fort built in 1748 so it's steeped in military history. When you buy your ticket you are given a wee machine and a map with all the areas numbered, you type the number of an area into the machine and it plays, telling you all about that part of the Fort, it was very interesting. There are loads of little rooms you can go into that shows what it was like for soldiers years ago, there is also a cinema that you can sit in and watch the film. There is a cafe inside the fort which serves nice coffee. I liked how it is still a working barracks with soldiers living there. You can walk right up to the edge of the star fort and look out to the water, dolphins 🐬 can be seen sometimes but we didn't see any. I loved the big cannons, they were on track so they could be moved round in a half circle. I loved Fort George and I'm definitely glad we visited, well worth seeing, such an interesting place.

Beautiful place! The highlander museum was super interesting, lots of military history and the staff was amazing! You can also catch the dolphins that come out sometimes in the afternoon if you stand by the canons at the top of the fort! A must experience!

We popped in at around 4pm, they did prewarn us that we wouldn’t be able to get round it all, but we were more than welcome inside! We are so glad we did! In the museum a gentleman gave us a wonderful walk through of what they had going on inside! The grounds were to so clean and really well maintained! We will definitely be visiting again🥰 We even saw some little birds nesting 😍

What an incredible Fort. Massive and in fabulous condition. Current military barracks combined with beautiful tourist attraction. We got to see it & The Moray Firth on a lovely sunny September day, but it would have equally spectacular whatever the weather.

This was one of my favorite tourist visit. Make sure to visit at least 3,4 hours earlier vefore closing time if you like to explore in depth. Adult ticket price is £11 with vat and they will provide audio guide if you prefer to have. There is a big parking area able to park more than 30 cars at a time.

A great historic building/complex providing a history of the Seaforth and Cameron regiments from the building of the fort in the 1700s. Still in use today by the Black Watch, but we were advised during our visit, that sadly they would be moving out soon, and the site would be taken over by a Scottish tourist board. Lovely cafe on site, good food and friendly staff. Knowledgeable volunteers run the museum. Be prepared for a lot of walking, it's a big site, with ramps up to the ramparts. If you are lucky you may see dolphins, unfortunately we weren't on our visit.

Great place for exploring. There's a lot of walking. It's mainly flat with ramps for wheel chair users. The rain dampened our enthusiasm. The museum that's housed in the fort is good. The staff are lovely. There's no toilet in the museum. The toilet is located in another building. The cafe was also closed. So we ending up the mess hall having a cuppa rather than lunch planned.

We are huge fans of the Gordon Highlanders and my husband of regimental militaria in general. The collection was larger than we expected. Also had the honor of meeting a survivor of D-day.

What a strange experience walking around this old Barracks. Which is still in operation and occupied by working troops. A great walk around with a playback device that gives you great wee snippets of information about various elements of the Fort. It has some lovely views of the Moray Forth. And if you're lucky, you might see dolphins. We didn't, but we did see a young seal. The museum is absolutely packed with the military history of the various Scottish regiments. There is a nice wee cafe also situated within the fort. There is plenty of free parking outside the fort. Odd fact, they have a tree (a spanish fir?) opposite the museum that was brought back from Spain around the 1800. Highly recommended.

I love old castles but was not disappointed by a visit to this fairly old Fort built after Culloden. If you go on a nice day the walk up on the ramparts is stunning with great views of the Moray Firth and Chanorey point where the Dolphins play. A great day out.

We visited Fort George and the Highlanders Museum while on holiday near Inverness. We only planned to have a quick look, and stayed for about 4 hours! Fascinating place, incredible 18th century architecture, well-laid out historic displays in some of the buildings, very informative, the museum was so extensive I don't think we saw it all, nice café serving sandwiches, cakes, etc, friendly staff (and over-friendly seagull) - and we saw dolphins swimming by!

What an interesting and historic place to visit for anyone even slightly interested in military history. Unbeknown to us on the Saturday we visited, the Fort was holding its annual Highland games. This wonderful event, combined with the forts fine defensive walls and military barracks, not to mention the superb views over the Moray Firth, makes it a must-see destination for anyone visiting this part of Scotland.

We visited today. This place is chalked so full of displays and artifacts you could spend 4 or 5 hours easily. Unfortunately we didn't have that much time. Highly recommend.