North East Scotland

Throughout these peaceful lands there's a sense of an unruly past - a real feeling of history and drama with so many fascinating tales to tell.

With its royal connections, this area has established itself as one of Scotland's leading holiday destinations. With castle, whisky and coastal trails it's a firm favourite with visitors from all over the world.

As well as the fertile farmlands of the Mearns and the wild Cairngorm mountains, this area's relationship with the sea is everywhere too. There are miles of windswept beaches surrounded by golden sands with only birds and seals to keep you company or wander along the Moray coast and look out for the now famous dolphins here.

However long you stay you'll never have a dull moment in Scotland's north-east!

Moderate Walks

Visitors are often surprised to discover that north-east Scotland has a gentle landscape with plenty of easy walking. In Moray and Aberdeenshire the Cairngorm mountains drop to low, rolling hills, which soon give way to undulating farmland. Scenic river valleys dissect the arable and pasture fields, and a good road network links the many towns and villages. Numerous fishing harbours dot the long coastline, which has vast stretches of dune-backed beaches and cliffs punctuated by coves.

There are paths on the doorstep of both cities in the area. In Inverness you can stroll around the banks and islands of the River Ness and even extend your walk to the Caledonian Canal towpath. On the edge of Aberdeen you can look over the city from Hazelhead or Loirston country park, just two of the many parks and woods nearby. Similarly there are short walks around the towns: beside the river in Nairn, on Cluny Hill in Forres or in Aden country park by Peterhead. In Banchory you can saunter out to Bridge of Feugh and watch salmon leaping upriver.

Walking is easily combined with a visit to the many castles, gardens, historic sites and whisky distilleries. Places such as Crathes Castle and Drum Castle have woodland nature trails, while short walks along sections of the Speyside Way can link distilleries. The Findhorn has impressive gorges, which narrow dramatically at Randolph's Leap, and the Deveron, Don and Dee all give opportunities for attractive walks.

Longer Walks

Scotland's north-east corner is an area where longer walks are possible without having to climb mountains along the way. The part bordering the Cairngorms has low hills that are covered in heather and surrounded by forests. The rolling farmland beyond stretches for miles to a sweeping coastline, which alternates between seabird cliffs and long beaches with dune complexes. Clear, swiftly running rivers run north and east through the area and their valleys provide attractive routes. Much of the walking is open, with fine views of the surrounding countryside and plenty of wildlife to see along the way, including roe deer and red squirrels in the woods and ospreys fishing in the River Spey in summer.

There is ample opportunity for satisfying linear walks, where public transport can be used to complete the circuit. In the west of the area the sections of the Speyside Way that make good day walks that can include visits to whisky distilleries en route. The landscape is more agricultural on the Formartine and Buchan Way, which uses the old Buchan railway to link Aberdeen with the fishing ports of Peterhead and Fraserburgh. For clifftop views a less formal route runs along the old railway line between Burghead and Lossiemouth. Different scenery is found on the old Deeside Railway from Ballater, once used by Queen Victoria to travel to her beloved Balmoral. It is now a beautiful path through birch and heather, with stunning views of the River Dee.

Some of the best walking is along the area's impressive rivers or on unmarked walks through their valleys into the surrounding hills. The Findhorn, which runs parallel to the Spey, has some excellent but less developed walks along its course, including gorges with awe-inspiring rapids. The valleys of the Don and Deveron are hidden gems for ramblers, while a good day walk is along the Nairn from Cawdor to the coast.

Long Distance Routes

Hill Mountain Walks

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