THE LOCAL AREA AND ITS ATTRACTIONS

Craich Cottage is set in farmland typical of the area on the eastern edge of the Grampian Mountains in Aberdeenshire. Within an hour or two’s drive there is plenty to see and do to satisfy everyone’s taste.

To the east there are some beautiful sandy beaches at Balmedie and Newburgh while to the south-west and west there is plenty of walking in the Grampians and Cairngorms (with, in winter, skiing at Glenshee and the Lecht). For the less energetic there are some attractive walks amongst local forests (Pitfichie) and on nearby hills (Bennachie). There is plenty of trout and salmon fishing within easy traveling – both on the river (The Don and the Dee are the closest) and on stillwaters (Loch Insch (11 miles) is perhaps the most famous but there are 6-8 smaller lakes, equally attractive in their own way, within an hour’s drive).

We are located right in the middle of Castle Country with Craigievar Castle (4 miles) and Castle Fraser (6 miles) very close by. And for those seeking something even older to admire, there are several examples of stone circles in the area.

….And for the children: Alford has a reasonable sized swimming pool (but for the more adventuresome the larger pool on Aberdeen’s Beach Esplanade is an alternative) and the Grampian Transport Museum and Narrow Gauge Railway are worth a visit. For those interested in wildlife then the falconry at Huntly is worth the trip, and for more hands-on activities then the Satrosphere in Aberdeen should be investigated. For the younger ones a visit to Storybook Glen (Maryculter) will allow them to experience some of their favourite nursery-rhymes

Below are a list of the many activities and attractions that are available locally - both indoors and outdoors. Some include links (simply click on them to follow) to websites where more specific information can be found. For more up-to-date information on the many things to do and see in the area visit www.castlesandwhisky.com

Activity	Locations
Golf	Alford, Kemnay, Inverurie and others
Fishing	Trout and Salmon: Rivers Don and Dee/ Trout (Stillwater): Loch Insch, Lochter, Mossat, Ardgeith, Artloch , Raemoir (and many more)
Skiing	The Lecht (plus Summer activites), Glenshee
Walking	Pitfichie & Bennachie (local); Grampians, Cairngorms
Deeside Attractions	Balmoral Castle & Estate, Braemar
Speyside Attractions	Grantown, Fochabers, Baxters
Castles	Craigievar, Fraser, Crathes, Balmoral, Leith Hall
Beaches	Balmedie (sand), Newburgh (sand), Spey Bay (shingle)
Distilleries	Royal Lochnagar, Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas, The Glenlivet, Glen Grant (and many more)
Archeolink	Oyne
Lighthouse Museum	Fraserburgh
Aquarium	Macduff
Narrow Gauge Railway	Alford
Heritage Museum	Alford
Grampian Transport Museum	Alford
Maritime Museum & Others	Aberdeen
Satrosphere	Aberdeen