The Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands region is surrounded by stunning countryside that's peppered with over 350 castles. One of the most famous is Balmoral Castle (tel: (013397) 42534; www.balmoralcastle.com), the summer residence of the Royal Family situated 80km (50 miles) west of Aberdeen. Balmoral is a working estate with Highland cattle and red deer. Other castles in the region include Ballindalloch Castle (tel: (01807) 500 305; www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk), Drum Castle (tel: 0844 493 2161; www.nts.org.uk) and Slains Castle (ruins only), which is said to have been the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.

Scotland is renowned throughout the world for its fine malt whiskies, and over half of those are produced in Aberdeenshire and the Grampian Highlands region. No trip is complete without tasting a wee dram or two of some of Scotland's finest. Many of the distilleries offer guided tours and some have visitor centres and gift shops. Amongst the best is the Glenfiddich Distillery (tel: (01340) 820 373; www.glenfiddich.com) in Dufftown.