And here are just a few visitor attractions which can be easily reached from the hotel - Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve, Balmoral Castle, Lochnagar, The Lecht and Glenshee ski-ing areas, The Dufftown and Strathspey steam railways (and others), Crathes Castle and Gardens, Old Fettercairn Distillery, The Cairngorm Funicular railway, Rothiemurchus estate & highland farm, the granite city of Aberdeen, Inverness and Loch Ness, birdwatching, great forest walks, Craigellachie nature reserve, eight fine golf courses; two lovely lochs nearby; Speyside whisky trail, Grampian Castle trail, Victorian Heritage trail, world class hill-walking, wonderful arts and photography opportunities, gliding, great loch and river fishing and superb game and mixed shooting/stalking… and so much more.

The National Trust looks after a wide range of properties in the area. The main Trust properties in Aberdeen and Royal Deeside are as follows:

• Castle Fraser and Garden
• Craigievar Castle
• Crathes Castle and Garden
• Drum Castle and Garden
• Fyvie Castle
• Haddo House
• Leith Hall and Garden
• Mar Lodge Estate
• Pitmedden Garden