Castles and gardens

Ballindalloch Castle, Ballindalloch. Magnificent 16th century castle, rock garden, rose garden, audio visual, craftworkers, tearoom, shop, river walks. Tel: 01807 500206. Open 10 Apr-30 Sept, daily 1000-1700. Admission: Adult £4.50, Concession £2.00, Child £2.50

Balvenie Castle, Dufftown. Ruined courtyard castle with Renaissance facade. Tel: 01340 820121. Open Apr-30 Sept, daily 0930-1830. Admission: Adult £1.20, Concession £0.90, Child under 16 £0.50.

Castle Fraser and Garden, Sauchen, by Inverurie. Magnificent Castle of Mar. Walled garden, plant sales, shop, tearoom, adventure playground, picnic area and estate trails. Events held most Sundays. Tel: 01330 833463. Gardens & grounds open all year 0930-1800. Admission: Adult £4.20, Concession/Child £2.80.

Culsh Monument, by New Deer. Restored 19th century viewpoint. Car parking, garden and picnic area.

Deer Abbey, 1 mile from Old Deer on the A950. Open all reasonable times. Ruined 13th century Cistercian Abbey.

Delgatie Castle, Delgatie, Turriff. 11th century castle, fine painted ceilings, widest turnpike stair, oldest inhabited castle in Scotland. Coffee shop with home baking. Tel: 01888 563479. Admission: Adult £2.50, Concession/Child £1.50.

Duffus Castle, Duffus by Elgin. Tel: 0131 668 8800. Open at all times. Ruined 14th century motte and bailey castle. Elgin Cathedral, King Street, Elgin. Tel: 01343 547171. Open Apr-Sept, daily 0930-1830. Oct-Mar, Mon-Wed 0930-1630, Thur mornings only, closed Fri, Sat 0930-1630 Sun 1400-1630. Magnificent ruins of 13th century cathedral. Adult £1.80, Concession £1.30 and Child £0.75.

Findlater Castle, by Sandend. Cliff top ruin of 15th century Ogilvie stronghold. Open at all times. Free.

Fyvie Castle and gardens Between New Deer and Turriff. the grandest example of Scottish baronial architecture. tenpin bowling, raquet courts and ice house. Tearoom, lochside walk, picnic area and car parking. Open daily except October - weekends only. Tel: 01651 891266

Kildrummy Castle and gardens, Kildrummy, by Alford. Tel: 01975 571331. Open Apr-Sept, daily 0930-1830. Ruin of 13th century courtyard castle. Former stronghold of the Earls of Mar, and headquarters for organising the 1715 Jacobite rising. Admission: Adult £1.80, Concession £1.30, Child £0.75. Kindrochit Castle, Balnellan Road, Braemar. Open at all times.

Leith Hall and Garden, Kennethmont, by Huntly. Seventeenth century house built around a courtyard. Unique collection of military memorabilia. Formal and informal gardens, bird hide, countryside walks, tearoom and picnic area. Garden and grounds open all year 0930-sunset. Tel: 01464 831216. Admission: Adult £4.20, Concession/Child £2.80.

For further information contact The Tourist Information Office, Huntly on 01466 792255