Edinburgh: Aberdeenshire, Balmoral Castle and the Northeast Coast

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| Edinburgh, Scotland

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2 days (approx.)

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Overview

Our 2-day tour starts at 09:00 from Edinburgh. Passing the iconic Forth Bridges, we head to Dundee, known for its V&A Museum. We continue north to Montrose for lunch, famous for seafood. Next, St Cyrus and Dunnottar Castle await, offering rugged coastline views and rich history. In Stonehaven, explore the town before heading to Aberdeen for overnight stay.

Day 2 begins with a visit to Crathes Castle west of Aberdeen, renowned for its gardens and history. Lunch in Ballater precedes our tour of Balmoral Castle, the Highland retreat of the British Monarchy. Heading south, we stop at Devil’s Elbow for Highland vistas and wildlife spotting. After a break in Perth, known for its ancient history, we return to Edinburgh via the Forth Bridges, concluding our journey.

What's Included

1 night accommodation (unless 'no accommodation' option is selected)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Live commentary on board
Knowledgeable driver-guide

Attraction Tickets
Gratuities
Accommodation, unless chosen
Food and drinks, unless specified
Restroom on board

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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Castle Terrace
outside the, NCP Castle Terrace Car Park, Edinburgh EH1 2EW, UK

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Day 1

Edinburgh to Aberdeen

5 Stops

Day 2

Aberdeen to Edinburgh

5 Stops

Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate

With magnificent turrets, gargoyles and a beautiful walled garden, Crathes Castle is a fantastic place to visit. Spend time here taking in the history of the 16th century castle and explore its spectacular grounds which go back to the 18th century. Whilst here, keep an eye out for some of the local wildlife that are known to visit the area like roe deer, red squirrels and herons.

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ballater

We continue westwards, through scenic towns like Banchory and the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside, towards Ballater, where we will stop for a lunch break. Sample local food as you take in the scenery of the Victorian village, nestled in the heart of Royal Deeside and also within the Cairngorms National Park.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Balmoral Castle

Our next stop is the world-famous Balmoral Castle, the much-loved Highland home of the British Monarchy. Here, we will spend time and you will be able to see the exhibitions. You will be able to learn all about the history of the castle, who has lived there, and what important events have been associated with it. As well as this, you will be able to enjoy the spectacular grounds on which the castle lies.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Blairgowrie

After our tour of Balmoral Castle, we head south towards Edinburgh. On the way, we will stop at the Devil’s Elbow viewpoint. It offers spectacular Highland views and is still part of the massive Cairngorms National Park. Keep an eye out here for much of the wildlife that is known to inhabit the area. The famous viewpoint was carved out by ice during the last ice age, much like a lot of the Highlands, which gives them the dramatic views that we all know and love.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Perth

As we continue further south, our final stop before we reach Edinburgh will be the city of Perth. The area here is known to have been occupied since the Stone Age, and there is still evidence of this nearby. After a comfort break here where you will have a short time to explore the historic city, we begin our journey back to Edinburgh. There will be another chance to get a look at the magnificent Forth Bridges as we cross the Forth for a 2nd time before arriving back in Edinburgh, the capital city, where our 2-day tour of northeast Scotland will end.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your tour's departure time.
Luggage is restricted to one medium sized suitcase per person. For guidance: a medium sized suitcase is considered 60-69cm high and roughly 45cm in width.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
If booking your own accommodation, it must be within 1km of Aberdeen town centre.
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund.
Minimum age is 4 years.
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark.
Please note: from 3rd December 2024 our Edinburgh tours will depart from NCP Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Edinburgh: Aberdeenshire, Balmoral Castle and the Northeast Coast?

A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025