Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland and one of the grandest ‘Castles of Mar’. It is located 16 miles from the Aberdeen, near Kemnay. The castle stands in over 300 acres of landscaped grounds, woodland and farmland which includes a walled kitchen garden of the 19th century. There is archaeological evidence of an older square tower dating from around 1400 or 1500 within the current construction.
“From the striking simplicity of the medieval Great Hall to the well-stocked library and Victorian bedrooms, a tour of the castle gives a sense of walking through history. Each laird stamped his personality on the family seat, from the various ways of spying on those in the Great Hall to trophies gathered on global adventures.
The panoramic views from the top of the round tower are spectacular, revealing the courtyard, gardens and estate beyond, ready to be explored. The distinctive peaks of Bennachie can be seen in the distance. There are two waymarked walks on the estate that offer magnificent views of the local area.
The traditional walled garden includes specimen trees, herbaceous borders, a medicinal border and organically grown fruit and vegetables.
Explore the Woodland Secrets adventure playground, featuring wooden sculptures, a bamboo snake walk, tepees, a tree hut and a giant xylophone.
Dogs are welcome in the grounds, but we ask dogs to be on the lead near the children’s play area and in the courtyard.
Relax in the tearoom where you can enjoy home baking, tasty soups and sandwiches.”
VisitAberdeenshire
The Gordon Highlanders Museum is based in Aberdeen, Scotland and celebrates the story of the Gordon Highlanders Regiment which was active from 1794 to 1994. It is a 5 star Scottish Tourist Board attraction
“The Gordon Highlanders Museum is a ‘5-star Visit Scotland’ Tourist Attraction based in the west end of Aberdeen. It is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the world-famous Gordon Highlanders Regiment for future generations to enjoy, providing a wide range of unique experiences for all visitors, young and old.
VisitAberdeenshire
2019 saw the opening of a fantastic new WW1 replica Trench exhibition which gives visitors the opportunity to wander through and explore what it might have been like for the soldiers serving in the trenches of World War 1.
Within the Museum they operate a Tea room, gift shop and have excellent conference and hospitality facilities as well as being able to offer beautiful memorial gardens to their visitors. The building is a grade 2 listed building and was the former home of Sir George Reid the eminent North East Artist and President of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art.
The Museum is an independent, self-financed museum, governed by a charitable trust.”
23rd April 2019
Pittodrie Football Stadium is the home of Aberdeen FC
“The Craftsman Company is an Independent Coffee & Ale House open from 8am (10am weekends) in the city centre where they roasts their own single origin coffee on-site and have 16 craft beer lines and over 40 gins on the back bar that they love to make a mix of drinks from..
They roast eight different coffee beans that can be taken away freshly roasted or they have two rotating beans on their grinders so you can sit in and let them make one for you.
The Craftsman Company lager called ‘Lager than life’ is permanently on tap while all the others rotate once the keg runs out so there is always a selection of fresh and exciting craft beers on draught when you visit as a novice or expert craft beer taster.”
VisitAberdeenshire
St Machar’s Cathedral (which, before the Reformation, was the Cathedral Church of St Machar) is a Church of Scotland church in Aberdeen. It is located to the north of the city centre in Old Aberdeen near Aberdeen University. St Machar’s is no longer a cathedral but rather a high kirk, as it has not been the seat of a bishop since 1690.
“St Machar’s Cathedral stands dramatically on a high bank above the River Don within the Old Aberdeen conservation area.
On a site of Christian witness for 1,500 years, the granite pile of the fifteenth century cathedral with its massive twin spires, world-famous heraldic ceiling and glorious stained glass is one of Scotland’s ‘must see’ treasures. It is surrounded by a graveyard which contains tombs that date back to the fifteenth century.
The oldest building in active use in Aberdeen, it is of international artistic and architectural importance, and it is of huge significance for the history of Scotland.
With its superb acoustic, the cathedral is a popular venue for musical performances.
It is open 365 days a year for formal worship and for those seeking a place of quiet contemplation, as well as for visitors.”
VisitAberdeenshire
The Aberdeen Beach Ballroom is an art deco building which overlooks the Aberdeen sea front. The venue was opened in 1929 and it is home to one of Scotland’s finest dance floors – famous for its bounce – which floats on fixed steel springs.
The Beach Ballroom is about a twenty minute walk from the city centre along the main beach road, the Beach Boulevard.
The Beach Ballroom is the venue for the ITiCSE 2019 Pre-Conference Reception, to be held on the evening of Sunday 14th July.
It is also the venue for the conference dinner on Tuesday 16th July
