This route takes you on a less direct road, from Inverness to Aberdeen, but the beautiful east coast scenery is well worth the effort. On your journey you will pass through many of the little fishing villages that this area has to offer, so take your time, and enjoy the views, culture and history that you will find along the way.
Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, is very worthy of a visit while in Scotland. Surrounded by the beautiful Highland countryside of wild mountain moorland and forests be sure to get out and explore the great outdoors when in the area.
Granted city status in 2001, Inverness has a colourful history, with a vibrant culture to match. Inverness city centre is full of life with lots to do from shopping in the old Victorian Market, which is full of unique shops, to having fun on the flumes at the local swimming pool, the Aquadome. Take a relaxing walk down by the River Ness. The scenic river, which also leads to Loch Ness, is overlooked by Inverness Castle. Built in 1835 on the site of previous strongholds, the castle is now used as a courthouse. On the opposite banks of the river lies St Andrew's Cathedral, which has no spires due to lack of funding when being built, this building is still admirable and worth a visit. Just next door to the cathedral you will find Eden Court Theatre, which has a variety of programmes running all year from the Opera to the annual Christmas Pantomime.
A little further through the Ness and you reach 'the Islands'. Here you’ll find an enchanting path, which winds through several small islands that lie on the river. Perfect for an afternoon stroll, lookout for people fishing for Atlantic salmon.
In the 6th Century St Columba visited the Royal Court of King Brude the Pictish ruler in Inverness. It was on this visit that Columba famously made the first recorded sighting of the Loch Ness Monster. You can take a trip on the Caledonian Canal, designed and built by Thomas Telford in 1822, to Loch Ness and see if you can be as lucky with Nessie spotting.
When leaving the city lights of Inverness why not stop in at Culloden battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on mainland Britain. The battlefield, which is now under guardianship of the National Trust for Scotland, is where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army were defeated by the Hanoverians in 1746. The visitor centre here will tell you everything you wish to know.
Another 12 miles Eastwards and you come to the attractive seaside town of Nairn, on the Moray Firth coast. With a reputation for a dry climate and long sunshine hours, Nairn and its glorious sandy beaches have long since been a favourite spot for both tourists and locals alike. The town also features two 18-hole championship golf courses, one of which staged the 1999 Walker Cup.
The Lantern of the North, as Elgin Cathedral is known, is a must see landmark, awe inspiring even as a ruin. Elgin is another small but unique Moray County town, with lots to do whether it be visiting the motor museum, strolling in the biblical garden or maybe just a swim and sauna at the much acclaimed Moray Leisure centre.
Turning left off the A96 you come to Buckie. With its harbour at the heart of the humble town, Buckie is the endpoint of the Speyside way, which links the sea some 65 miles inland to Aviemore. While here why not make a stop at the Buckie Drifter museum for some Scottish maritime memories.
The maritime theme continues along to Fraserburgh. The first ever Scottish lighthouse was built here in 1787, and is now part of the Scottish lighthouse Museum. Fraserburgh has a reputation for having clear, bright weather, which is great if you want to take a leisurely stroll along the harbour, which lies on the East Side of this interesting town.
The most easterly point in Scotland is home to Peterhead, a town which has been greatly influenced by the sea. The town was founded in 1587, by the 5th Earl Marischal, George Keith and his brother Robert. Originally Peterhead became known as a resort and Spa town but it was fishing that influenced the area the most. The 1820's saw Peterhead as one of the leading whaling harbours in the UK, however the introduction of shale oil to replace whale oil, in lamps, saw this economy decline. 1892 was the year that the last whaling ship in the area was put to other uses. The fishing industry remained very strong in Peterhead until the 1970's however it is North Sea Oil which accounts for the main economy nowadays.
After taking in some of the remarkable architecture in Peterhead, why not stop off at Slain castle a little further down the road. A 16th Century tower house built by the 19th Century Hay Earl of Errol, this ruin was apparently Bram Stoker's inspiration when writing Dracula. Here you can let the waves crashing against the cliffs next to the ruin fill you with the mysterious secrets of Scottish history.
A final 45 minutes South and you reach the city of Aberdeen. The granite buildings give the city one of Scotland's most striking skylines. The Duthie Park Winter Garden, with its stunning rose mountain is well worth a visit. And for those children among us, why not delve into the wonderful world of fantasy at Storybook Glen which lies just 5 miles from the city. With a historical old town being complimented by a vibrant modern city, Aberdeen is a lively place with plenty of shops, restaurants and great attractions to visit.
