Ballindalloch is intriguing and referred as the Pearl of the North. When we dropped in, the family…read morewas readying the grounds for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This was another interesting aspect of Ballindalloch - the castle is open to the public, but it seems that the Macpherson-Grant family still reside there. If you are planning on going to this castle, I recommend budgeting about 2 or more hours. In addition to the castle exterior and interior, there are extensive trails and grounds to look at. Unfortunately, we were short on time and did not really take in all the sights. Which caused me to bristle a little at the 10 pound per adult entry fee. We did a brief, self guided tour of the interior and spent extra time photographing and taking in the exterior. The great weather and detailed exterior made the this diversion from our Speyside travels worth it.

Just off the A95 south and not far from Aberlour you will find the entrance to Ballindalloch. The…read moreentrance fee is £10 and being paid at a kiosk before you start your long way down the drive towards the castle car park. Best you have the cash ready. They also accept cards, but it might hold up the queue on busy days. It is a massive estate and offers lots of different activities to do during the day. I think it is a dreamland for kids due to the entertaining playground and flowery garden, massive grounds for running around, walking along the river, explore the walled garden, enjoy the little station with a train model that can be operated by young and old children and the coffee shop with all the cakes. Besides all the outdoor activities we should not forget the castle tour. It seems that the Mac McPherson-Grant family still lives there and during the summer open up their wonderful bright castle to the public. You have the chance to see their drawing room, library, various bedrooms and nursery. On the ground floor there is a long hallway with many pictures of the queen and the Grant family and the many events that took place at Ballindalloch or nearby. Seems they have close links to the royal family. The rooms are very bright and elegantly decorated. A real lived in castle since 1546. Don't miss out and have a rest at the castle coffee shop before you head off again. Toilets are available.

Huntly Castle ranked as my number one family site to visit as part of my heritage travel trip to…read moreScotland in July 2019 and it did not disappoint. The castle, now of the Gordon Clan same as my Grandma Rosemary Gordon who died in February 2023, is located inland from the Eastern coast of Scotland in the town of Huntly. I arrived at the castle a little before 4:00 p.m. on Monday 8 July 2019 and spent over an hour exploring. Parking was available in a lot past the building where I paid the entrance fee and bought a copy of the official souvenir guide to the castle. The castle is part of the Historic Scotland network of sites. Since Huntly Castle was the only site in the network on my list for my trip I opted for the just-Huntly Castle fee, a Historic Scotland pass was also available for purchase here. The entrance fee goes towards the preservation of the castle and lands. Per the informational placards on the grounds of the castle (Tower House placard specifically), the first stone castle at this site was built in the early 1500s by the Gordon Clan, of which foundations remain intact. Each of the areas of the castle came with informational placards providing background about the utility of the room in the past and how it wove into a broader Scotland context. Navigating through the premises was straightforward and the different rooms and hallways did not get clogged even when there were more visitors in a given area. The weather on my visit was clear and sunny, which made exploring the outdoor parts less cumbersome than if it had been rainy. All around thoroughly enjoyed my experience.

We visited here on a grey and a bit rainy day. Not many visitors on that day. Surprising, because…read morethis is a wonderful castle to visit. The earls of Fife built the original castle, the Peel of Strathbogie, around 1190, to guard the crossing-point where the rivers Bogie and Deveron meet. It became a stronghold in the 1300s. The stately palace, begun about 1450 by the newly ennobled Earl of Huntly, is one of Scotland's most impressive late medieval buildings. A lot of the castle is still standing today. In the back of the castle there is a lot more to explore (like the old kitchens). A lot of rooms to visit and lots of ruins to see. A very exciting place to explore and lots to learn about its history. A lot of information is provided everywhere. We did stay here a lot longer than expected. You also can climb up to a certain point. And don't miss out on the prison (and its two mannequin-prisoners that look quite life-like from a distance). Staff in the visitors centre was friendly and helpful. Some good souvenirs can be found here as well. And our Bulldog was also welcome on the grounds. Parking was right next to the castle - for visitors only of course. Since we are members, the entrance was free. A fantastic visit. Surely not to be missed and worth a (longer) drive. Highly recommended!

Elgin Library is located in Cooper Park it is housed in a modern extention to a period property, On…read morethe right as you enter is a well lit clean cafe serving snacks and light lunches at sensible prices, on the left a large multi fuction room very often used for art exhibitiions . The main Library area is through automatic doors and is very clean bright and well stocked and the staff are well trained and helpfull. There is an area set aside for internet access,one for audio and video hire and also painting hire. Computers are available to search the library database for the whole area and staff are always happy to order from other branches.

Beautiful old cathedral…read more If you're here and you have time to stop in. See all the other photos posted. It is kept up somewhat but reminds you of a small town old cathedral. Ye tho i kneel Head bowed Yet heart unsealed Lifted high In prayer A moment for me A moment for thee A word of grace In this sacred place Blessed is thee Who takes a moment Prays Word passed A moment of grace Bless us all Blessings

We passed by this on our way to cross the bridge to Johnston's Wool. It's a ruin but still very…read morebeautiful. Feel *free* to stroll around the ground, or if you are a history buff, pay the admission for more info and closer look. The cathedral has been around since the 12th century! The grounds are well maintained.

Great hall for all types of occasions. It is used alot for weddings, birthday parties etc. It has a…read morestage too, so if you want to have a band playing at your wedding or party then this is the place to book. It is avaliable for a reasonable price too.

Balvenie Castle is a pleasant place to visit. There isn't much to do except admire the view. There…read morewas a pack of placid cows who seemed to be admiring the view and it seemed like a nice life for those cows. There is no "tour" as such, as the castle is really a ruin but for some exterior walls. It's easy to imagine it was once home to a busy population but when we were there, it was just us and the cows. Seems like it would be a great place for a picnic lunch!

Small Library with a small selection of books, cd's, videos and dvd's. it also have local history…read morebooks as well. it has one computer avaliable for using the internet. the staff are friendly and helpful and informative too.