EXCURSIONS

Aberdeen Excursions

Malt Whisky Trail

The Grampian Highlands area is famous for its delicious malt whisky, and the best way to explore this long-standing tradition is by following a whisky route (self-drive or guided) to eight different distilleries, including the Glenfiddich Distillery that was started in 1887. Visitors can learn about the age-old process of coaxing different smells, tastes and colours from a mixture of yeast, barley, peat and water, and take tours of different distilleries. Some distilleries can only be visited with advanced bookings, and usually offer tastings.

Address: Glenfiddich Distillery: Dufftown, Banffshire; Website: www.glenfiddich.com; Telephone: (0)1340 820 373 (Glenfiddich); Opening time: Glenfiddich: Weekdays 9.30am to 4.30pm; Admission: Glenfiddich: �20 per tour

Aberdeen Excursions

Balmoral Castle

No trip to Scotland is complete without a visit to one of its magnificent castles, and Balmoral Castle, set on the River Dee, is one of the best known. The castle, with its fairytale turrets, is set on 50,000 acres (20,234 ha) of spectacular grounds, and the Royal Family has preserved the surrounding wildlife, buildings and scenery since it was bought by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852. A visit to the castle includes access to the gardens, the ballroom and the grounds, but the Queen's Rooms are out of bounds. The castle and estate are set within the Cairngorms National Park and offer breathtaking vistas of the Highlands. Visitors can also enjoy a Castle tour, which takes in other impressive castles such as Crathes Castle and neighbouring Craigievar Castle.

Address: Ballater, Aberdeenshire; E-mail: info@balmoralcastle.com; Website: www.balmoralcastle.com; Telephone: (0)1339 742 534; Opening time: Daily 10am to 5pm; final admission at 4pm (29 March to 31 July) ; Admission: �7 (adults), �3 (children 5-15 years), concessions available