Scotland's Beautiful Banffshire

Escape to Scotland on this wonderful five-day break, taking in the beautiful Banffshire Coast. With stunning views and dramatic scenery, we explore the charming coastal towns of Fraserburgh and Banff as well as one of Scotland's gems, Ballindalloch Castle, where fascinating traces of the Macpherson-Grants and their rich history can be found throughout the house.What's Included?
Includes- Return coach travel- 4 nights at the Waterside Hotel, Peterhead (JG2+ rating) with dinner & breakfast- Excursions to Ballindalloch Castle & Gardens & Banffshire Coast (Banff & Fraserburgh)Optional excursion to Cruden Bay & Aberdeen (£15pp)

Itinerary
Included ExcursionsBallindalloch Castle & Gardens (half day)We take the scenic route to Ballindalloch Castle, the family home of the Macpherson-Grants since 1546. It is one of the finest surviving examples of a Scottish baronial castle, and throughout the 23 generations, the working estate has upheld traditions while also seeking to improve it for the future. There are plenty of rooms to explore, including the dining room, once the Great Hall and the beating heart of the 16th-century fortress, the library and the elegantly decorated drawing room. Treasures include military memorabilia, fine china, portraits of King George III painted by famous royal artist Allan Ramsay and more. The old servants' quarter is now a nursery, and the dungeon, which once housed family enemies, is now a wine cellar. Outside, there are three beautifully manicured formal gardens, a rockery, the courtyard garden and a walled garden, as well as woodlands and riverside meadows.Banffshire Coast (Banff & Fraserburgh) (full day)Combining sandy bays, rugged cliffs, quaint seaside towns and historic fishing villages, Scotland's Banffshire Coast is breathtakingly unspoilt and we discover two of its highlights on our second included excursion. First up is the county town of Banff, popular with Robert Burns and Lord Byron, where the sights range from the former royal Banff Castle and the pre-Reformation market cross to the old harbour and the intriguing treasures in Banff Museum. We continue to the fishing port of Fraserburgh, which offers a wide range of shops and plenty of delicious local produce. Or for a piece of Scottish heaven, take a stroll along Fraserburgh Beach, which holds a Green Coast Award and a Marine Conservation Society Recommendation.Optional ExcursionCruden Bay & Aberdeen (£15pp) (full day)Why not join our lovely optional excursion to discover more of stunning Scotland? We head to Cruden Bay, renowned for its sweeping expanse of pink sands and dunes. The area is rich in history too - it is believed that the Scots defeated the Danes here in 1012, and the beach was made famous by Norwegian aviator Tryggve Gran who completed the first solo flight across the North Sea. Take a stroll down to the beach, accessed by a charming wooden footbridge, and admire one of the most striking panoramas Scotland has to offer. Next up is the thriving seaport of Aberdeen, described as 'one of the most architecturally distinctive cities in Europe' thanks to its sparkling Granite buildings and monuments. There's plenty to discover, from Old Aberdeen, with its cobbled streets and 15th-century cathedral, to the quirky fishing quarter of Footdee at the water's edge. Look out for dolphins leaping at the harbour mouth and listen for the warming tones of 'Doric', the local Scots dialect, or why not indulge in some retail therapy in the many shops dotted along the mile-long Union Street?Hotel
Waterside Hotel, PeterheadJG2 ratingSet in its own landscaped gardens on the banks of the estuary of the River Ugie, the Waterside Hotel is the perfect base for our adventure, offering breathtaking scenery, an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, restaurant, bar and en-suite rooms with a TV. All meals are buffet style.Hotel RatingJG2 ratingHotels with a JG2 rating are a mixture of larger hotels and privately owned properties. Décor and furnishings may be simple but are clean and well maintained. All bedrooms have en-suite facilities, TV and may have tea/coffee making facilities. Food may be buffet style in some of the larger hotels. Services may be limited but efficient.