Shopping

Baxters Visitors Centre, Fochabers. Tel: 01343 820393. Manufacturer of quality Scottish foods. Visitor complex with audio visual and cookery demonstration theatre. Old Shop museum. George Baxter's Cellar. Best of Scotland craft shop. Spey Restaurant and splendid Gordon Room Restaurant. Open daily 0900-1730. (No factory tours at weekends or during factory holidays). Admission free.

Dean's of Huntly Factory Shop, Depot Road, Huntly. Tel: (01466) 792086. Open Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1200. Factory shop with full shortbread assortment and range of preserves.

The Mossat Restaurant & Craft Shop, Kildrummy, Alford. Tel: 019755 71355. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1730, Sun 1000-1800. Craft shop and restaurant.

Thainstone Centre, Inverurie. Tel: 01467 623760. Agricultural centre of the North East of Scotland. There is a large Sunday market with a variety of stalls and car boots selling fresh produce, crafts, bric-a-brac, etc

Johnstons of Elgin, Newmill, Elgin, Moray. Tel: 01343 554099. Famed for Cashmere garments. Mill tours by arrangement. Coffee Shop.

The Whisky Shop, 1 Fife Street, Dufftown. Tel: (01340) 821097. Open Mon-Sat 1000-2100, Sun 1230-1900. Specialist whisky shop. Hundreds of single malts and rare whiskies.

Brodie Country Fayre, Forres, just off the A96. A fabulous day out where everything's under one roof. Plenty of parking. Superb restaurant and shopping for all the family. With Brodie Castle just down the road take the day off fishing. A must.

Morgan McVeighs Culsalmond Colpy, Insch, Aberdeenshire, AB52 6UY. Tel: 01464 841399. Cafe/restaurant and country shopping situated on the A96.

Turriff Tackle and Trophies, 6, Castle Street, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 4BJ. www.fishingthedeveron.co.uk

Horse Riding

Highland Horseback Britain's Longest Trail Ride. A 200-mile journey from Huntly to Kintail. May-Oct. 5 nights or 10 nights. Tel: 01466 700304 www.highlandhorseback.co.uk

Corrylair Ponytrekking Gartly, Huntly. Off-road trail rides through forests. Horses to suit beginners or experienced riders. Tel: 01466 720379

Glen Tanar Aboyne. Riverside and mountainside rides and forest trails. Horses and ponies to suit all ages and capabilities. Tel: 013398 86448

Tomintoul Riding Centre Specialists in riding for experienced riders. Discover whisky country with small groups. Instruction also available. Tel: 01807 580210

Golf courses

Huntly Rolling fairways set amidst a variety of woodland. Tel: 01466 792643

Dufftown One of the best kept secrets in the north east. Hilly in parts. Small, but perfectly formed greens with divine turf. Fabulous views. Tel: 01340 820325

Turriff A fine, flat course along the river bank. Easy walking but not easy golf. Tel: 01888 562982Duff House Royal A parkland course set close to the river Deveron. Probably the best course in the area within the surroundings of Duff House. Tel: 01261 812062

Royal Tarlair Boasts a dramatic cliff-side setting at the 13th. Tel: 01261 832897

Keith A fine holiday course over undulating terrain. Greens renowned for their texture and consistency. Tel: 01542 882469

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