Aberdeen, Scotland Area - B&B / Add'l Sight Seeing Recommendations
 

My husband and I are looking for recommendations for a B&B in the Aberdeen area for two nights. We are looking for what we think is a mid-range price of around $100 or less per night (if possible, for mid-range accommodations - not too extravagant and not too down trodden). Although we've been consulting Trip Advisor, for some reason or another (no availability, no reviews, no recent reviews, etc), we have been having trouble pinpointing some options for lodging in the Aberdeen area.

Some of the sights we are interested in seeing are the Gordon Highlanders Museum, and castles including Dunnotar, Craigievar, Fraser. From Aberdeen, we will be traveling to Inverness for an additional two nights where we have already booked a room at the Drumbruie Farm B&B.

We are also interested in in any recommendations for any "do not miss" whisky distilleries enroute to Inverness.

Also, what are people's thoughts on Fraserburgh? I was interested in seeing Cairnbulg Castle and participating in the – Following Famous Footsteps, as part of the Homecoming Scotland ‘09 celebration. I am interested in the Fraser clan; my maiden name is Frazier, and has been traced by a family member, back to Fraser.

Many thanks in advance for your recommendations and suggestions!
Beth

Have a look at the Redgarth Hotel

http://www.redgarth.com/

It's our local and the service is excellent. There are no "do not miss" whisky distilleries between Aberdeen and Inverness, but Glen Garioch, In Oldmeldrum, where the Redgarth is, does very nice visits.

Fraserburgh is godawful; but the area round about need not be. My Husband's mother is from Cairnbulg, so I have to watch what I say. I might add, I never thought I'd ever see it mentioned on here.

If you have an interest in the Frasers you should go to Castle Fraser as well.

Aberdeenshire is (or ought to be) my specialist subject, so do come back with more questions if you want.

I took a friend to Fraserburgh once (another Frazier) and it is good for a short visit if one is ancestor hunting. But its not really a tourism wonderland :) There is a lighthouse museum and a couple of beaches/good birdwatching etc.

So I'd do the detour up there just for curiosity sake - but don't set your sights too high . . . .

Have fun MNAkin! I've been to Fraserburgh, but only to visit family. My husband's mother comes from the clan Fraser also. They live in Aberdeen. I really enjoyed Crathes Castle, and Dunnottar is a must. I like the town of Stonehaven for a wander around. I also like the beach area of Aberdeen (IF nice out), and Duthie Park (winter gardens and rose garden). What month are you going? We are off for our visit at the end of July.

sheila, janisj and amelie - thank you all for your responses to my post.

Sheila - I will definitely look into The Redgarth and their availability. Do you have any other recommendations for accommodations?

I may not have even seen Fraserburgh on a map. I came across it while looking at the events for the Scottish Homecoming Celebration. http://www.homecomingscotland.com/default.html And wasn't sure if it was too out of the way going from Aberdeen to Inverness. I guess we'll have to take a 'wait and see' attitude on this one. I do appreciate the feedback.

We do have Castle Fraser on our list; so that's good.

Thank you again!

janisj - thanks for the additional feedback re: Fraserburg - that's a neat coincidence that you've taken another "Frazier" there too! It's good to know that it might be worth a detour vs something not to even waste any time with a visit. As mentioned with Sheila, I guess we'll see what we're up to doing when the time comes! :) Although maybe a destination that's not a "tourism wonderland" might be a good side trip as I think most of our destinations are probably very much heavy tourist attractions. Thanks again!

amelie - Our trip is for early July. We leave the US on June 29th and then we leave on July 14th. I think we have the castles you mentioned on our list - so far, so good!

I recall reading something about Stonehaven; however, I cannot remember what it was, so I'll have to look into that town too. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hope you have fun on your visit too!

Stonehaven is right near Dunnottar. Is Glamis Castle on your list??

One castle not mentioned that's near Fraser Castle is Drum Castle and it's likely to have fewer visitors than many others in the area. It was home to the Irvines(gifted by Robert the Bruce) until the NTS took over. It's a wonderful mixture of medieval, Jacobean and Victorian architecture with a fine library and an ancient tower. Well worth a visit IMO.

The Frasers are a big deal all over the north-east, so there are lots of other places to see if you should be interested.

Cromlet Hill is the other nice place in Meldrum. Other Fodors people have stayed there and been happy. Local B&Bs are just not my thing, I'm afraid.