Welcome to the Grampian and Aberdeen Area Tourist Information

This is a most characterful area of Scotland, with both maritime and farming heritage. Its main city, Aberdeen, is the third largest in Scotland, and is commonly known as "the granite city" owing to the extensive use of silver granite which shaped the buildings from the eighteenth century onwards. This stone, quarried locally, has the effect in sunshine of sparkling, hence providing a glittering outline to the city's architecture.

With the development of offshore oil and gas, Aberdeen has become a prosperous city, and now boasts at least six indoor shopping centres. However, it still has the feel of a market town, with plenty to see and to do. From castle trails to whisky trails, maritime centres, rose gardens, the future at Satrosphere or history in museums, beaches and country parks, there is something for everybody, whatever their age.

Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel A magnificent Scottish baronial mansion standing in its own grounds. Modern and traditional-style bedrooms; leisure club new in 2000. Garden Room restaurant serves an imaginative menu combining classic and modern French/Scottish cuisine. Extensive wine list	AA 4 star (71%) 2 rosettes Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£££	01224 867355
Aberdeen The Atholl Hotel Large distinctive building in traditional granite, located in West End of the city. Attractive modern bedrooms and attentive service. Good choice of food; Scottish cuisine making use of high quality local produce	Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£££	01224 323505
Aberdeen The Copthorne Aberdeen Hotel Traditional city centre hotel conveniently localted for shops and theatre. Refurbished well-equipped rooms. Choose Mac's Bar for informal dining, or Poacher's restaurant for traditional Scottish cuisine	AA 4 star (62%) one rosette STB 4 star	£££ ££££	01224 630404
Aberdeen Craiglynn Hotel A late Victorian townhouse, built in the traditional granite. Impressive public rooms with original features retained; eleant wood panelling in the dining room, which serves menus providing good home-style cooking using fresh produce	Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£	01224 584050
Aberdeen Lairhillock Inn and Restaurant Traditional coaching inn on the outskirts of Aberdeen. Extensively refurbished, retaining the traditional features of the inn, with log fire in season. A genuine welcome and well-prepared quality food.	Taste of Scotland	£	01224 730001
Aberdeen The Marcliffe at Pitfodels On the western outskirts of Aberdeen, in attractive grounds. Extended from a Victorian mansion house, now a first class hotel combining modern facilities with antique furnishings and design. Two dining areas, differing in style but both serving excellent quality food making extensive use of local seafood, game and meat	Taste of Scotland STB 5 star	£££ ££££	01224 851000
Aberdeen Maryculter House Hotel Built on the banks of the River Dee to the south of Aberdeen. Pleasant well-equipped bedrooms. Bar meals available in Poacher's bar, and more formal dining in the Priory restaurant which offers an impressive six course table d'hote menu.	AA 3 star (65%) one rosette	n/a	01224 733510
Aberdeen Norwood Hall Hotel Set in seven acres of wooded grounds, this is an attractive restored Victorian mansion, with many original features retained. Offers traditional Scottish hospitality and service. The Ogsten restaurant offers well-prepared modern Scottish cuisine	AA 3 star (67%) one rosette Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	£££	01224 868951
Aberdeen The Patio Hotel Purpose-built hotel near the seafront, with leisure facilities. Bright modern well-equipped bedrooms and spacious public areas. Two restaurants, the Conservatory and Footdees, specialising in Scottish cuisine and seafood/steak respectively	AA 4 star (67%) one rosette	££ £££	01224 633339
Aberdeen Simpsons Hotel Sophisticated modern hotel developed from a group of town houses. Decorated in a bright mediterranean style, with a stylish split level bar and brasserie. Food is innovative and creative, while making use of high quality local produce	AA 3 star (72%) one rosette Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£££ ££££	01224 327777
Archiestown Archiestown Hotel Popular with holidaymakers and anglers alike, the hotel offers a genuinely relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Pleasant comfortable bedrooms and a choice of lounges. Two dining areas, the largest being the bistro. First class food using only quality ingredients, in particular the local seafood and game	AA 2 star (75%) 2 rosettes	££	01340 810218
Ballater Balgonie Country House Hotel Edwardian small country house hotel set in 4 acres, a short walk from the centre of Ballater. Superb views over hills and golf course. Tastefully furnished rooms and attentive service. Elegant restaurant serving modern Scottish cuisine	AA 2 red star 2 rosettes Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£££ ££££	013397 55482
Ballater Craigendarroch Hotel and Country Club Large country house hotel built in the 19th century All amenities including leisure club and sports activities. Choice of restaurants varying in style from the formal Oaks Restaurant serving well presented classic and continental cuisine, to bistro-style food in the Clubhouse Restaurant	Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	££ £££	013397 55858
Ballater Darroch Learg Hotel Draemar Road, Ballater, AB35 5UX Highland Retreat on the edge of Ballater in the heart of picturesque Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire.  Activities from rock climbing and mountain biking to exclusive visits to NTS castles and gardens or Balmoral Castle can be arranged.  Awards include Scottish Hotel Chef of the Year the best wine list in Scotland.	AA 3 red stars 3 AA Rosettes STB 4 Star	££ £££	Darroch Learg Hotel website Email 013397 55443
Ballater Deeside Hotel Large townhouse set back from the road. Welcoming family run hotel with a relaxing atmosphere. Comfortable lounge with original features retained; well-equipped traditionally furnished bedrooms. Choice of dining in the bar or restaurant, featuring a combination of modern and traditional Scottish menus	Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	£	013397 55420
Ballater Glen Lui Hotel Small country house hotel set in pleasant grounds overlooking the golf course. Tastefully furnished public areas and well-equipped comfortable bedrooms. Bistro style food available in the bar, or more formal dining in the conservatory restaurant serving well-presented Scottish cuisine	AA 1 rosette Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£ ££	013397 55701
Ballater The Green Inn Small townhouse hotel in the centre of Ballater. Limited accommodation available, but very comfortable. The restaurant has an excellent reputation and the food is prepared with skill, care and dedication. Fresh local produce is used wherever possible.	AA 2 rosettes Taste of Scotland STB 4 star (restaurant with rooms)	££	013397 55701
Ballater Ravenswood Hotel Stone-built Victorian villa run personally by the owners as a small of hotel which offers a traditional Highland welcome. Food is uncomplicated but of high quality, and meals are taken either in the dining room or the informal lounge bar	Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	£	013397 55539
Banchory The Old West Manse A bed and breakfast of exceptional quality. The rooms are furnished and equipped to a very high standard and the service is attentive. The food is prepared with skill and attention to detail, making for a warm and relaxing stay	Taste of Scotland STB 5 star (bed and breakfast)	£	01330 822202
Banchory Raemoir House Hotel Impressive Georgian country house set on a 3500 acre estate. Furnished with antiques and tapestry wall coverings; open fires. Individually styled bedrooms. The daily changing menu features fresh quality ingredients cooked in innovative ways, served in the stylish Georgian dining room	AA 3 star (73%) 2 rosettes	£££	01330 824884
Banchory Tor-na-Coille Hotel Victorian mansion house set in its own grounds. Elegant public rooms;bedrooms attractively decorated and furnished. Professional service and welcoming hospitality.Menus offer a mixture of traditional and modern Scottish cooking, prepared with care and attention	AA 3 star (74%) one rosette Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£££	01330 822242
Banff Banff Springs Hotel Modern purpose-built hotel overlooking the Moray Firth, located near several golf courses. Friendly atmosphere and a high standard of service; attractive good-quality accommodation. The restaurant affords good views and serves traditional Scottish cuisine prepared using fresh local ingredients where possible	Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	£ ££	01261 812881
Banff (Bridge of Marnoch) The Old Manse of Marnoch Originally a Georgian manse, now run as a small country house hotel of quality. Rooms are furnished with a mixture of modern and antique furniture, while preserving the inherent Georgian elegance of the building. Daily changing menus featuring innovative cooking using home grown and locally available produce. Exceptional wine list.	AA 2 red star 2 rosettes Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	££	01466 780873
Banff (Cullen) The Seafield Hotel Former coaching inn, dating back to 1822. Attentive service and; comfortable well-appointed rooms. The menu offers a wide choice of traditional home-cooked food and the bar sports an impressive selection of whiskies	Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	£ ££	01542 840791
Banff (Turriff) The Fife Arms Hotel Located in the centre of Turriff, this is a restaurant with rooms, offering a daily changing menu dependant upon availability at the time. The atmosphere is a relaxed and friendly one. Seafood a speciality.	Taste of Scotland	£	01888 563124
Craigellachie The Craigellachie Hotel Impressive Victorian country hotel set in its own grounds and close to the River Spey, at the heart of whisky country. Tastefully furnished throughout with some bedrooms recently refurbished. Three restaurants, featuring innovative modern Scottish cuisine which makes use of the best of Scotland's larder	AA 3 star (75%) 2 rosettes Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£££	01340 881204
Elgin The Mansion House Hotel Baronial-style turretted mansion located in wooded grounds by the River Lossie. Attractive public rooms, luxurious bedrooms and leisure facilities. Choice of dining in Bistro or the more formal candlelit restaurant serving first class cuisine	AA 3 star (76%) one rosette STB 4 star	££££	01343 548811
Forres Knockomie Hotel Country house hotel standing in four acres of grounds dating back to 1914. An architecturally interesting building, with relaxing lounges and a varied styles of bedrooms. The food in the elegant restaurant is in a modern Scottish style, while there is more informal dining in the Bistro	AA 3 star (72%) 2 rosettes Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	£££ ££££	01309 673146
Forres The Ramnee Hotel Originally a large private residence built in 1907, now a stylish country house hotel in its own attractive grounds. Rooms are tastefully furnished and well-equipped. The restaurant offers both lunch and dinner, or alternatively lighter meals are available in "Tipplings" lounge bar	Taste of Scotland STB 4 star	££ ££££	01309 672410
Glenlivet Minmore House Country house hotel set in its own grounds close to the River Livet. Attractive public rooms with log fires; friendly hospitality and attentive service. The best of local and Scottish produce is used to provide interesting and innovative cuisine	Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	£££	01807 590378
Inverurie Pittodrie House Hotel Turretted baronial mansion set in 2000 acres. Retaining many interesting architectural features, and decorated in grand style. Well-proportioned bedrooms decorated in keeping with the period atmosphere. Cuisine is traditional Scottish, making use of vegetable from the hotel's garden.	AA 4 star (66%) one rosette Taste of Scotland STB 3star	£££	01467 681444
Inverurie Thainstone House Hotel and Country Club Impressive country mansion set in delightful grounds, with leisure centre. Elegant public areas and comfortable bedrooms varying in size and style. Georgian-style restaurant serving modern Scottish cuisine featuring local seafood, game and beef	AA 4 star (69%) 2 rosettes Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	£££ ££££	01467 621643
Kildrummy Kildrummy Castle Hotel Splendid Victorian mansion built close to the ruins of a 13th century castle. Impressive public rooms, individually styled bedrooms. Traditional, quality French/Scottish cuisine featuring local seafood, game and beef	AA 3 red star one rosette STB 4 star	££££	01975 571288
Newburgh The Udny Arms Hotel Family-run hotel, a large Victorian building 20 minutes from Aberdeen centre, with views of the Ythan estuary and the golf course. Traditionally furnished well-equipped bedrooms. Meals served in split-level bistro, which features local seafood	AA 2 star (70%) one rosette STB 3 star	££	01671 402141
Oldmeldrum Meldrum House Historic baronial mansion style country house hotel in its own grounds with golf course. Attractively furnished with period pieces.Offers a warm welcome and attentive service. Table d'hote menu featuring innovative Scottish cuisine	Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	££££	01651 872294
Peterhead The Palace Hotel Town centre hotel, recently refurbished. Friendly and attentive service. Two restaurants offering different styles of food, from bar meals to Scottish traditional and international cuisine. Live entertainment.	Les Routiers cuisine award STB 3 star	£	01779 474821
Peterhead The Waterside Inn Large busy hotel with leisure facilities on the outskirts of Peterhead. Attractive public areas and a variety of bedroom styles including suites. Popular restaurant featuring fresh game and locally landed fish	AA 4 star (68%) one rosette	n/a	01779 471121
Peterhead (Old Deer) Saplinbrae House Hotel Small country house hotel dating back to 1756 set in attractive gardens. All modern amenities but maintaining the period feel of the building. Two dining areas, with the more formal brasserie serving modern Scottish cuisine featuring local produce.	Taste of Scotland STB 3 star	££ £££	01771 623 515