Page 254 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

252 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

Above The dramatic 15th-century ruins of
Dunnottar Castle Above centre The Triple Kirk q Banchory future King Charles II, it gained its
spire and Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen Aberdeenshire; AB31 6NL place in history when the Honours
Above right St Mark’s Church, Aberdeen, A popular holiday spot since Victorian of Scotland (see p250) were hidden
modelled on St Paul’s Cathedral times, Banchory is in Royal Deeside, here following Oliver Cromwell’s
known for its beautiful countryside and invasion. The castle was under siege
castles. Just south of town on the A974 for eight months, but the Honours
stands the 18th-century stone Bridge were smuggled away to Kinneff
of Feugh, over a tributary of the mighty Old Church further along the coast.
River Dee. The waters foam furiously Today, Dunnottar is a picturesque
VISITING ABERDEEN down below and there is a good ruin, reached by a steep set of steps.
chance of spotting salmon leaping ª Rejoin the A92/A90 north to
Parking over the rocks to reach the calm waters Aberdeen, turning onto the A956
Park in College Street near the railway beyond. The best times to see them to the city centre. Go straight over
station, or Bon Accord shopping centre. are Sep–Nov and Feb–Mar. Take the two roundabouts and the River Dee
Tourist Information A93 east to the fairytale Crathes into College Street to park beside
23 Union Street, AB11 5BP; 01224 269 Castle (Apr-Oct: open daily; Nov–Mar: the railway station.
180; www.aberdeen-grampian.com open Sat & Sun), built in the 16th
century. With exquisite interiors St Machar’s 0 metres 500
WHERE TO STAY – original painted ceilings – and Cathedral 500
delightful gardens, this is a must- CHANONRY 0 yards
BANCHORY see visitor attraction. DON ST
Tor-na-Coille Hotel expensive ª Return to the A93, turn ST MACHAR DR S C H O O L R O A D
A country house hotel set in beautiful right, then take the A957 to HIGH ST King’s College
Chapel
grounds near the Banchory golf Gardens
course and River Dee fishing beats. Stonehaven. Follow this road GO L F R OA D
There are 22 elegant bedrooms, through Stonehaven town Botanic COLLEGE K I N G
Golf
some with original open fireplaces. centre, then turn left onto the BOU NDS Course
Inchmarlo Road, AB31 4AB; 01330 822 A92 signed for the castle. There STREET PITTODRIE PLACE
242; www.tornacoille.com
is a parking area (which gets ORCHARD S T R E E T Pittodrie E S P L A N A D E
AROUND BANCHORY busy in summer) a short walk S P I T T A L Football
Ground
Raemoir House Hotel expensive from the castle itself.
Head north from Banchory on the CRESC EN T KIN GS
A980 and keep on going to this w Dunnottar Castle MOUNTHOOLY
WA Y
impressive Georgian mansion set large URQ HART ROAD
grounds. There are 16 comfortable Nr Stonehaven; AB39 2TL K I N G S T R E E T
rooms and some have fine views. Perched dramatically on the
Banchory, AB31 4ED; 01330 824 884; clifftops with gulls swirling G A L L O W G A T E B E A C H B O U L E V A R D
www.raemoir.com overhead and waves crashing Funfair
WEST NO R T H S T
Aberdeen
College
ABERDEEN below, Dunnottar Castle (open Art Gallery Marischal LINKS R D
The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa expensive daily; www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk ) SCH OOLHILL
Lovely hotel with luxurious rooms makes a compelling sight. The STREET Maritime SHIP RO W
that blend contemporary style with castle, built in the 15th century, UNION ST TRI NI T Y Q U A Y WATERLOO
BELMONT
traditional comfort. Expect fluffy white was once home to one of Harbour
QUAY
towels in spotless bathrooms, plasma Scotland’s most powerful GUILD ST
screen televisions and an excellent Aberdeen
Museum MARKET ST
selection of local produce for breakfast. families. Visited by William COLLEGE ST Railway Station
North Deeside Road, AB15 9YA; 01224 Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots,
861 000; www.marcliffe.com the Marquis of Montrose and the
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150
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