SCOTLAND's Castle and Whisky Country has some of Northern Europe's most beautiful and varied scenery. Mountainous peaks, rolling farmland and miles of unspoilt coastline provide the backdrop for a plethora of tiny fishing villages, busy towns and cities - each with its own individual charm, character and abundance of attractions.

To help you choose where to visit or spend your holiday, the menu below will give you a little taste of the cities, main towns and some of the villages which offer a wide variety of accommodation and attractions.

FOR SMALLER TOWNS AND VILLAGES A SELECTION OF SHORT BREAKS AND EVENTS
FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA WILL BE DISPLAYED.

PLEASE NOTE - SOME TOWNS AND VILLAGES MAY TAKE BETWEEN 20 - 30 SECONDS TO DOWNLOAD.
Ref Town Summary County
ABER1 ABERDEEN Capital of Grampian Highlands, famous for its sparkling granite buildings, Marischal College, ancient University... City of Aberdeen
ABER3 ABERLOUR AND CRAIGELLACHIE On the banks of the River Spey on the Speyside Way. Several distilleries in the surrounding area are open to... Moray
ABER2 ABERCHIRDER Peaceful country town close to the valley of the River Deveron retaining its original planned streets. Aberdeenshire
ABOY4 ABOYNE Surrounding the Green where the famous Highland Games are held, Aboyne was laid out in 1676. Aberdeenshire
ALFO5 ALFORD Haughton and Murray Country Parks, Grampian Transport Museum with outdoor demonstration circuit... Aberdeenshire
BALL6 BALLATER Conspicuous for the number of 'By Appointment' signs on the shops, and set in magnificent scenery.... Aberdeenshire
BANC7 BANCHORY Holiday town on the River Dee with a good range of shops. Aberdeenshire
BANF8 BANFF Historic coastal town with many finely restored 18th century buildings and Colleonard Sculpture Gardens. Aberdeenshire
BRAE9 BRAEMAR The eastern gateway to the Cairngorm mountains and an ideal centre for walkers and naturalists. Aberdeenshire
BUCK10 BUCKIE Starting point for the Speyside Way, Buckie is a busy harbour with large fishing fleet... Moray
CRAT11 CRATHIE A popular place with visitors, due to the close proximity of Balmoral Castle... Aberdeenshire
CRUD12 CRUDEN BAY Cut into the North east coast, this picture-perfect fishing village has three nearby attractions to be proud of... Aberdeenshire
CULL13 CULLEN Very attractive planned village, above scenic bay and beautiful beach with picturesque seatown. Moray
DUFF14 DUFFTOWN At the heart of the Malt Whisky Trail. Glenfiddich Distillery, Balvenie Castle, Mortlach Old Church... Moray
ELGI15 ELGIN Situated in the heart of Malt Whisky Country, Elgin is the capital and commercial centre of Moray.... Moray
ELLO16 ELLON Situated on the River Ythan, Ellon is close to Pitmedden Garden and Museum of Farming Life (NTS). Aberdeenshire
FETT17 FETTERCAIRN A distinctive village with attractive square and striking Gothic arch set below the hills on the Cairn O'Mount... Aberdeenshire
FIND18 FINDHORN The picturesque village of Findhorn has long been a mecca for visitors offering excellent watersports facilities. Moray
FIND19 FINDOCHTY AND PORTKNOCKIE Neighbouring villages with picturesque harbours and traditional cottages, cliff-top walks and fine views... Moray
FOCH20 FOCHABERS Eighteenth century planned village, on the route of the Speyside Way, with fascinating Folk Museum and... Moray
FORR21 FORRES Floral town with award-winning parks and gardens, the Falconer Museum, Sueno's Stone (HS) and... Moray
FRAS22 FRASERBURGH A major fishing port with award-winning sandy beaches. The first ever Scottish Lighthouse Museum. Aberdeenshire
FYVI23 FYVIE Picturesque wooded village where Fyvie Castle (NTS) houses countless fine works of art and... Aberdeenshire
GARD24 GARDENSTOWN Spectacular cliff-side village with traditional seatown and pretty harbour. Ruined 11th century chapel... Aberdeenshire
GARM25 GARMOUTH, KINGSTON & SPEY BAY Peaceful communities in natural, unspoilt habitat to either side of the River Spey. Moray
HOPE26 HOPEMAN AND BURGHEAD Neighbouring seaside villages. Visit Burghead Well (HS) and nearby Duffus Castle (HS). Moray
HUNT27 HUNTLY Former seat of the Gordon family, the 'Cock o' the North', the town is an ideal centre for touring scenic Strathbogie. Aberdeenshire
INSC28 INSCH Small country town, overlooked by an Iron Age Fort on Dunnideer Hill. Aberdeenshire
INVE29 INVERBERVIE The Royal Burgh of Inverbervie lies at the mouth of the Bervie Water. Aberdeenshire
INVE30 INVERURIE A thriving town amidst beautiful countryside with long and short walks on the nearby hill of Bennachie. Aberdeenshire
KEIT31 KEITH On the Malt Whisky Trail, with Strathisla Distillery open to visitors and the new Scottish Tartans Museum. Moray
KINT32 KINTORE, KEMNAY AND MONYMUSK Rural communities close to the fine tower house of Castle Fraser (NTS). Aberdeenshire
LAUR33 LAURENCEKIRK The principal town in the Howe o' the Mearns, it is an ideal base for touring Lewis Grassic Gibbon country. Aberdeenshire
LOSS34 LOSSIEMOUTH Traditional seaside town on the 'Moray Riviera' with magnificent sandy beaches. Moray
MACD35 MACDUFF Fishing port at the mouth of the River Deveron. The annual Mobil North Sea Yacht Race... Aberdeenshire
MINT36 MINTLAW Peaceful village set in rich farmlands (on the Buchan-Formartine Way). Aberdeenshire
NEW 37 NEW PITSLIGO Farming village once noted for making Queen Victoria's favourite lace. Aberdeenshire
OLDM38 OLDMELDRUM With fine views toward Bennachie, Oldmeldrum retains much of its old character. Aberdeenshire
PENN39 PENNAN Beautiful old smugglers village at the foot of mighty cliffs, Pennan was the location for... Aberdeenshire
PETE40 PETERHEAD Europe's busiest fishing port with over 400 boats and a bustling daily fishmarket and 100-berth leisure Marina. Aberdeenshire
PORT41 PORTSOY, FORDYCE & SANDEND Finely restored conservation village built around 17th century harbour. Moray
ROSE42 ROSEHEARTY Historic fishing town founded in 14th century by shipwrecked Danes. Aberdeenshire
ROTH43 ROTHES Originally a crofting township, this village by the River Spey is now a centre for whisky distilling... Moray
STON44 STONEHAVEN This attractive seaside resort, with heated open-air Olympic size swimming pool, has a... Aberdeenshire
TARL47 TARLAND, ECHT AND MIDMAR Tarland is a quiet village with an attractive central square. A number of prehistoric sites are... Aberdeenshire
TOMI48 TOMINTOUL Tomintoul stands on the road between Deeside and Speyside, near the Cairngorm Mountains... Moray
TURR49 TURRIFF Bustling farming town which was the capital of a 6th century Pictish Prince. Aberdeenshire
WHIT50 WHITEHILLS Smallest north-east village to retain its own fishing fleet and leisure marina. Aberdeenshire
BURG55 BURGHEAD A small fishing town on the coast of the Moray Firth. Five miles of sandy beach... Moray
SPEY56 SPEY BAY Peaceful community in natural, unspoilt habitat on the side of the River Spey. Moray
LONM65 LONMAY The parish in Buchan district, Aberdeenshire, on the A90 between Fraserburgh and Peterhead, covers an area of around 20 miles. Aberdeenshire