'Cock o' the North', as Huntly is often referred to as is an ancient Burgh and former seat of the Gordon family. The town provides an ideal centre for touring scenic Strathbogie Castle, with Glendronach Distillery nearby, as is Leith Hall and the remarkable medieval church of St. Mary's at Auchindoir. In the town itself, Huntly Castle, the Brander Museum and the Nordic Ski Centre should not be missed. For literary fans, several novels by George MacDonald are also set in the Huntly area. An architectural Town Trail is also available and uncovers how Huntly was essentially a Gordon creation, but its origins are much earlier than the castle, with two standing stones as proof in the attractive Town Square. Huntly VisitScotland Information Centre (seasonal) 01466 792255