“The Cairngorms National Park covers an area of 1,748 sq miles in the council areas of Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland, Angus and Perth and Kinross. The mountain range of the Cairngorms lies at the heart of the national park, but forms only one part of it, alongside other hill ranges such as the Angus Glens and the Monadhliath, and lower areas like Strathspey and upper Deeside. Three major rivers rise in the park: the Spey the Dee and the Don. The Spey, which is the second longest river in Scotland, rises in the Monadhliath, whilst the Dee and the Don both rise in the Cairngorms themselves.
The Cairngorms themselves are a spectacular landscape, similar in appearance to the Hardangervidda National Park of Norway in having a large area of upland plateau.[citation needed] The range consists of three main plateaux at about 1000–1200 m above sea level, above which domed summits (the eroded stumps of once much higher mountains) rise to around 1300 m. Many of the summits have tors, free-standing rock outcrops that stand on top of the boulder-strewn landscape. The edges of the plateaux are in places steep cliffs of granite and they are excellent for skiing, rock climbing and ice climbing. The Cairngorms form an arctic-alpine mountain environment, with tundra-like characteristics and long-lasting snow patches.
The Monadhliath Mountains lie to the north of Strathspey, and comprise a bleak, wide plateau rising to between 700 and 950 m.
Two major transport routes run through the park, with both the A9 road and the Highland Main Line crossing over the Pass of Drumochter and running along Strathspey, providing links between the western and northern parts of the park and the cities of Perth and Inverness. The Highland Main Line is the only mainline rail route through the park, however there are several other major roads, including the A86, which links Strathspey to Fort William, and the A93, which links the Deeside area of the park to both Perth and Aberdeen.”
Wikipedia Page
“The Noose and Monkey is one of Aberdeen’s most loved pubs, serving food & drink. Situated in the heart of the Rosemount area, right next to His Majesty’s Theatre, it’s a favourite destination for pre-show meals and drinks. The venue has been frequented by many famous stars performing at these shows.
Established in 2000, The Noose and Monkey had previously been known as ‘My Fathers Moustache’ and ‘The Silver Slipper’. She was given it’s unusual name by it’s previous owner and licensee who originated from Hartlepool. The story goes that during during the Napoleonic Wars, fishermen from Hartlepool watched a French Warship founder off their coast. The only survivor was a monkey, dressed in French military uniform, presumably to amuse the officers on the ship. The fishermen assumed that this must be what Frenchmen looked like, and after a brief trial they summarily executed the poor monkey by hanging.”
Noose and Monkey Website
“Orchid is the granite city’s home for discerning drinkers. At orchid, we are dedicated to raising the standards for mixed drinks and cocktails in Aberdeen and Scotland. We aim to provide you with a styled, relaxed environment in which to enjoy our range of cocktails whether it be classic of contemporary.”
Orchid Website
From the VisitAberdeenshire blog
Hillgoers owner, Garry Cormack shares his favourite hills and mountains in Aberdeenshire with VisitAberdeenshire.
“I am often asked which hill is my favourite and I quickly respond, Lochnagar. It’s actually hard to choose between them, as most are good in their own way. Lochnagar has everything though, rich in history, wildlife, the plateau, Glas Allt Falls and the loch and the corrie itself are breathtakingly beautiful. You can walk up to the incorrectly named Munro summit of Lochnagar (on OS maps Cac Carn Beag, should probably be Cadha Carn Beag – the little steep of the stony hill) from a few approaches but the usual route up is from the Spittal of Glen Muick. There is also an excellent visitor centre at the Spittal.”
“The best view on the walk is the corrie itself, which can be seen from the col beside Meikle Pap and is a good enough walk just to go there.”
“You don’t have to be a Munro bagger to enjoy hills though and some of the smaller hills offer better views and more nature. Another favourite Aberdeenshire hill for me is of course Bennachie. I’m there quite often delivering navigation courses but also just to enjoy the walks. Bennachie has a good mix of woodland, moorland, path and stream junctions, perfect for teaching navigation. The views are great too, from the sea all the way into the Cairngorms National Park.”
“There is so much history on the hill, like the plane crash that saw the first recorded casualties of WW2, the magnificent iron age fort on Mither Tap, the old settlements below and the different quarries on the hill where stone was taken for the Thames embankment. My favourite way to enjoy the hill is to approach from the informative visitor centre. Walk along the Gordon Way then cut up to Oxen Craig, over Mither Tap then down the south path to Heather Brig, much easier on the knees. There are plenty of walks for all abilities, including diverse nature trails for the young and old. Have a look at the Bennachie Visitor Centre or Bailies of Bennachie website for more information.”
“Other favourites are Sgòr Mòr, a Corbett just up from Linn o’ Dee, which offers great views down the Lairig Ghru but anywhere in the Cairngorms is fantastic.”
“Other great smaller hills are Scolty Hill in Banchory, Carnferg in Aboyne, Craigendarroch above Ballater and the beautiful Creag Choinnich in Braemar which has a fantastic nature trail too.
Before you go up any hill you should let someone know where you are going, have the right equipment and have the skills to navigate your way around the hill. You should also know the code before you go too. You can always take an expert guide and let them take care of everything! As I tell my clients, hill walking is just walking, so take your time and enjoy it!”
Garry Cormack
Parisian cafe by day, relaxed fine-dining restaurant by night.
Café Bohème is the epitome of savoir-vivre, in the very heart of Aberdeen. Combining over a decade of French heritage at its roots along years of Scottish cooking expertise. Bohème delivers the perfect fusion of classic cuisine and finest local produce. In true Parisian style – where time is to be savoured, not rushed – Bohème lives by the slow food values: ensuring meticulous attention to detail, served with passion for honest, homegrown produce.
Cafe Boheme website
Head chef John Pattillo and his team bring out the best in seasonal ingredients from across the North East, working with independent farmers, fishmongers and breeders. Join us for a rendezvous with the lunch menu, amuse your senses with Table d’hôte, or settle in for the night À La Carte-style.
“A fiercely independent company in the heart of Aberdeen, doing it our way for over 20 years.
Siberia Bar Website
Established in 1994 this terraced bar and restaurant has everything you need. Boasting a 370 capacity venue with various bookable areas, we can host any party tailored to your needs. With an extensive kitchen & buffet menu, drinks packages and more, look no further for your day out – you can even bring your dog!
We pride ourselves in our honest and no-nonsense approach. Giving a relaxed and friendly environment with a wide range of affordable drinks. Whether you are popping down for a bite to eat or to play some board games. For a coffee or to listen to our resident DJ on a Saturday; we appeal to diverse clientele no matter what the occasion.”
Aberdeen iCentre is conveniently located at 23 Union Street in the heart of the City.
Aberdeen iCentre
Aberdeen is a centre for energy and education and we welcome many international visitors. We have a team of local experts ready and waiting to help you explore the area. Our team has excellent knowledge of the whole of Scotland. Old Aberdeen is a highlight, with Aberdeen University which dates back to 1495. Aberdeen beach offers panoramic outlooks. Aberdeen is home to wildlife with the North Sea home to dolphins and seals. Pop in and let us inspire you! We can also book tickets for Karl Fisher day tours, City Tours, Citylink and Calmac. We offer a wide selection of gifts to help you find that perfect Scottish souvenir. We offer free WiFi and we are open all year round.
| Day | Times | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00 | 18:30 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 | 18:30 |
| Wednesday | 09:30 | 18:30 |
| Thursday | 09:00 | 18:30 |
| Friday | 09:00 | 18:30 |
| Saturday | 09:00 | 18:30 |
| Sunday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
From the VisitAberdeenshire blog
“Our 165 miles of stunning coastline, ancient fishing harbours and the rolling hills of purple clad countryside provide not only stunning backdrops but the perfect opportunity to discover nature.
VisitAberdeenshire blog
See puffins perching on craggy cliff-tops, seals chilling out on the beach bay, red deer roaming majestic countryside and even get up close to an eagle – can you believe that you can spot all of them in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
No words can describe the beauty of the wildlife to be discovered here in North-east Scotland, so here’s some stunning images that do all the talking for us.:
