Facts about North East Scotland
Population: Approx. 662,000 Famous for: North Sea oil, granite buildings Distance from London: 10 – 13 hours Highest Mountain: Ben Lawers (1,219m) Local delicacies: Aberdeen Butteries (Rowies) Airports: Aberdeen Airport
The North East is one of the lesser-visited regions of Scotland, although what it lacks in tourists it more than makes up for in historic sites! Aberdeenshire actually holds the title as the county with the most castles per square mile, whilst in terms of natural scenery there are rolling hills and miles of unexplored coastline.
Aberdeenshire and its neighbouring county of Moray are also the centre of Britain’s North Sea oil and gas industry, and over the past 50 years have developed into one of the most prosperous areas in Scotland. Aberdeen, also known as the Granite City, is full of historic buildings and even boasts a long and sandy beach.
Further to the west, on the borders of Perthshire and the Highlands, the scenery starts to change into moorlands and mountains. Here close to Inverness, you will find the two major battlesites of Culloden (the last ever pitched battle to be fought on British soil) and Auldearn (part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms).
If you are planning a visit to this area then we do recommend flying into Aberdeen Airport as the drive can be rather long, even from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
