From the VisitAberdeenshire blog
Aberdeen Gin Fest [5-6 July 2019]
Whether you are already a confirmed gin lover, or just curious to explore the amazing range of traditional or trendy gins bursting onto the market, Aberdeen Gin Fest is where you can meet the producers behind the spirits. Raise a glass and dance the night away to great live music.
Stonehaven Folk Festival [12 – 14 July 2019]
Enjoy concerts, workshops, singalongs, storytelling and ceilidhs at this quirky festival. Why not head along to the festival’s Aqua Ceilidh on Sunday 14 July at Stonehaven Heated Open Air Pool for an aquatic take on this dancing Scottish tradition.
Peterhead Scottish Week [20 – 28 July 2019]
Embrace the patriotism as Peterhead hosts Scottish Week. With activities including a truck show, competitions, entertainment and more. In 2018 the event also saw an aerial display from the world-famous Red Arrows.VisitAberdeenshire
Jaguar Classic Car Show [28 July 2019]
Car lovers can rejoice as the Grampian Region Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Car Show returns to Drum Castle. Bring the family to see a great many superb examples of these famous vehicles and help support the GRJEC’s chosen charity for 2019.
“Fierce Bar Aberdeen is the first bar that local brewery Fierce Beer opened in April 2018.
VisitAberdeenshire
They offer a wide variety of their own flavour packed beers, along with guest beers from collaboration partners including a local gin and tonic on draft. A fine selection of local spirits & mixers including gin, rum, vodka and whisky are available along with Bourbon, Tequila, rose, red and white wine and prosecco.
As a company Fierce believe in provenance and supporting local business where possible. With this, their food menu offers sandwiches delivered daily from Contour Cafe, cheese boxes from Gourmet Cheese Co. that contain 3 different cheeses, crackers, oatcakes and a chutney. The chutney is also made locally from Bakery Lane who also provide beautiful gooey brownies made with Fierce Beer.
Tea and coffee and a selection of non-alcohol drinks are also available.
A cosy welcoming spot for anyone to go, relax and be looked after.”
27th May 2019
This video is from the Storytellers YouTube channel
Published on 25 Apr 2017The route that circles around Scotland’s top north highlands has always been there, but never got a name, until not so long ago. Now, known as the North Coast Route 500, this natural itinerary moved in the limelight, and was nicknamed Scotland’s Route 66. This may sound daunting, but we have just been on a trip that strikes the perfect balance between planning and spontaneity, and is not to mention one of the most beautiful places we have ever encountered. If you want to take it easy and spend time at every attraction, you’ll need 7 days and a cheap car rental, and that’s all it will take to experience a whole new world Some great spot you’ll find along the road:
Day 1 Some spectacular sights, starting in the northernmost city in the UK, called Inverness. Bordered by rolling hills and castle ruins at Loch Ness, it’s as beautiful as it is mysterious. Stop at the Dunrobin Castle is just as beautiful. Everything about it, the gardens, spires and turrets makes it look like a castle that comes straight out of a fairy-tale, while Disney looks dismal in comparison. Just a short drive away is the Carn Liath, a prehistoric structure that takes you back to the iron age when it was originally built. Only 19 metres in diameter, it’s easy to get a real sense of the place and admire it in its entirety.
DAY 2: Brora to Thurso Wake up early and do a little bit of exploring in Brora, known for its golden sandy beaches and array of sea life. Dolphins, Minke whales and seals are regular visitors. Grey Cairns of Camster. These rare Neolithic stone tombs are definitely worth a visit. They hold immense historical value that were built over 5000 years ago, unveiling many secrets of that time. Characterized by immense cliff stacks, this impressive path leads to the remote Duncansby Head lighthouse. Perched on the corner of a sheer drop. Port Lybster is a fun stop over for who lover lighthouses.
DAY 3: Thurso to Durness Scotland is scattered with hundreds of these historical ruins, of both enchanting castles and landhouses. Another one to look out for is Castle Varig, which is well worth a short hike up a neighbouring hill that offers the best viewpoint of the castle, and a nearby loch. Secondly, an assortment of wildlife tours that take you to the perfect vantage points, where you can view the stunning local Puffins up close. Durness: the best artisan chocolate in all of Scotland, at the Cocoa Mountain Café and Chocolatier, and when paired with one of their famous coffee blends, you may just want to stay here all day. Smoo cave is truly exceptional, making it onto our list of top 5 experiences along the NC 500. It’s unique in that it’s formed by two caves, one fresh-water cave and one sea-water cave, linking together as one. The entrance has been formed by the action of the sea, whereas the inner chambers are freshwater passages, and if you dare enter the cave, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of a spectacular waterfall.
DAY 4: Durness to Ullapool Achmelvich beach is by far the best place to chill, with its soft white sand and pristine clear blue waters that could easily match those of the Maldives (except for the temperature).
DAY 5: Ullapool to Torridon Ullapool is a popular holiday destination for the Scots, and although it’s relatively big and touristy, it has its own unique charm that’s worth experiencing. When the crowds get too much, jump back into nature to see one of the natural wonders of the Highlands – Corrieshalloch Gorge.
DAY 6: Torridon to Strathpeffer Torridon boasts some of the most picturesque landscapes we’ve had the pleasure of seeing with our own eyes, and the perfect finale to a memorable trip. Wake up early and let the sunlight reveal it to you. Once you’ve had a chance to take it all in, head over to a peninsula called Applecross, made up of small-scale food producers. It’s relatively unknown to tourists and is home to a number of gems if you take the time to explore the community. Then to end the roadtrip off on a high, take a turn onto the Bealach na Ba road, meaning “The Pass of the Cattle”.
This is by far one of the most impressive roads in the UK, with remarkable views of , the whole of Skye, and the Islands of Rum and the Outer Hebrides while the road wind towards Strathpeffer.
DAY 7: Strathpeffer to Inverness Waking up in Strathpeffer, knowing it’s your final day, can’t help but make one feel slightly heart sore. However, there’s nothing quite like a spa day to make you feel better, and it just so happens that that town is known for its Spas.
by: Roxanne Boyes
Film and edit: Caspar Daniël Diederik
Protagonist: Enza di Lecce
http://storytravelers.com
Find more at:
“We opened in June 2013 serving the very best in Belgian beer, as well as embracing the burgeoning UK craft beer revolution.
Six Degrees North Facebook Page
Our wonderful venue was originally an Anatomical Theatre, before opening as a bar in the 1980s.
BEER. We have 24 taps, rotating regularly, pouring new and exciting beers from all around the world. View our taplist online here: https://www.sixdnorth.co.uk/aberdeen/beer
BOTTLES. We have a comprehensive Belgian bottle list, hand-picked and imported ourselves from the motherland (Belgium). https://www.sixdnorth.co.uk/aberdeen/bottles
SPIRITS. You’ll find an ample selection of spirits on our back bar; a host of excellent Scottish gins, whisky’s and rum.
FOOD. We offer a fine mix of gourmet toasties, charcuterie boards and snacks. View our menu online here: https://www.sixdnorth.co.uk/aberdeen/food
TASTINGS. Keen to find out more about beer or the brewing process? We host regular tutored tastings that are tailored to you. From entry-level beginners, to beer geek aficionados…we have tastings suitable for all. Speak to our team for more info.
RESERVATIONS.
Having a party or meeting for after work drinks? Book to reserve your favourite table. Simply call, email or message us on Facebook to book.
EVENTS. We host regular events at the bar (tap takeovers // meet the brewers // art exhibitions). Keep an eye on our social media for upcoming events.
DOGS. six°north is a dog friendly bar. Ask behind the bar for dog treats and water bowls.”
The king of the YouTube whisky reviewers is Ralfy, who, over the past ten years has managed to clock up nearly 800 video reviews of whiskies (and some other spirits), mainly from Scotland but also from around the world. The style is informal but he is refreshingly independent of the distillers and there is real commitment to explaining why he thinks a particular bottle is good, bad or indifferent.
If you want to know about a particular brand, then have a look at his past catalogue of reviews on his YouTube channel, ralfydotcom
“This chic venue located in the city’s merchant quarter, encompasses designed boutique rooms, eclectic suites and economy accommodation. Relax in either booth, lounge or formal dining seating for coffees, theatrical cocktails, whilst choosing from menus of local foods including char-grilled steaks, informal bar munchies, and a fabulous selection of champagnes and wines.
Carmelite website
Carmelite is only a 3-minute walk from Aberdeen transport hub (train & coach station, direct airport link & harbour), surrounded with the city’s retail centres and minutes from cultural and entertainment venues such as Tivoli Theatre, Maritime Museum, His Majesty’s Theatre, Civic quarter and many others. “
The story goes that the long main room of The Wild Boar, with its magnificent arched ceiling, used to belong to a painter and decorator whose apprentices would hone their skills on the elaborate cornicing. True or not, it’s certainly an impressive ceiling that adds a touch of class to this popular bar. Busy seven days a week, it’s the kind of place where it’s easy to settle down and get comfy with one of our 21 different gins or a bottle of Wine or Prosecco, whether it’s in the grand ground-floor room or the cosy downstairs space with its low lighting, cushioned couches and booth seating
Wild Boar Facebook page
Yatai Izakaya is an intimate local eatery with a casual atmosphere, modern Japanese food that practices traditional technique while utilising the best ingredients that Aberdeenshire has to offer…
Yatai Izakaya website
“Welcome to CASC bar. We specialise in Cigars, Ale, Scotch and Coffee
VisitScotland
Cigars – Tucked away to the rear of the bar sits Aberdeen’s only walk-in humidor, specialising in Cuban cigars.
Ale – We love beer. Our extensive craft and world beer selection includes an ever-changing range of 24 draught beers offering some of the most exciting, original and (most importantly) delicious beers from around the world. Don’t fancy draught? That’s fine; our fridges are jam-packed with over 200 varieties of bottled beers too.
Scotch – Our bar gantry sports one of the most impressive Scotch whisky collections in the city. Fact. Not only do we stock over 250 different choices, but we do our best to track down some of the more unusual expressions from some of your favourite distilleries. We also offer a range of regional tasting flights, whisky tasting events and our staff will gladly help you choose the perfect beer and whisky pairings.
Coffee – With both espresso and syphon brewing methods and a choice of coffee bean styles and flavours, we aim to provide you with the best coffee experience in town. Not only that but our coffee menu runs late into the evening allowing you to enjoy a brew anytime you like.
At CASC you may feel like you’re spoiled for choice, but our friendly, passionate staff are always happy to help you select the perfect drink for any occasion.”
