Things to do in  Northeast Scotland

Once Scotland's largest cathedral, the 12th-century ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral stand as a testament to its former magnificence. Sprawling along the coast of Fife, just a stone’s throw from St. Andrews Castle, the evocative ruins afford impressive views along the coast.

Just north of St. Andrews’ town center, the ruins of St. Andrews Castle sit on a windswept headland overlooking a beach. Dating from around 1200, the castle was the main residence of St. Andrews’ bishops and archbishops, and the main administrative center of the Scottish church in medieval-era Scotland.

Boasting the world’s oldest golf course, the coastal town of St. Andrews has long been renowned as the home of golf, making it one of the United Kingdom’s premier golfing destinations. St. Andrews Links encompasses seven public courses, situated on both the coastline and inland heath. All of the holes have a backdrop of spectacular Scottish scenery, which adds to the allure of St. Andrews for golf lovers.

Set amid the rolling glens of Scotland’s premier whisky region—Speyside, in Cairngorms National Park—the Glenlivet Distillery is known for producing the granddaddy of all single malts. Distilled in unique lantern-shaped copper stills and matured in oak casks for at least 12 years, The Glenlivet has a fruity, smooth flavor thanks to using Scottish barley and spring water from the local Josie's Well.

One of the oldest and most celebrated distilleries in Scotland’s Speyside region, Cardhu Distillery was founded in 1824, and is now owned by Diageo. Renowned for its single-malt whiskies (and famously used in Johnnie Walker blends), Cardhu is also a regional base for the Johnnie Walker brand, and features a well-equipped visitor center and bar.

In the middle of the Old Course in St. Andrews stands the Swilcan Bridge, an old stone bridge used initially by pack animals to cross a small stream known as the Swilcan Burn. Today, it’s part of the golf course and frequently appears in magazines and photographs.

Set among the wooded countryside of Aberdeenshire, the 16th-century Crathes Castle is known for its ties to Robert the Bruce. The tower house’s interior features original painted ceilings, portraits, and antique furniture, while the 593-acre (240-hectare) estate encompasses walled gardens and parkland threaded by marked trails.

St. Andrews has long been known as the home of golf, so it makes sense that the city is also home to a fabulous golf museum showcasing the sport's evolution. Here, you'll find a massive collection of everything from trophies to golf clubs, plus a massive archive of golf-related films.

The origins of Drum Castle, one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, can be traced back to the 14th century. Home to the Irvine family for more than six centuries, Drum Castle, Garden & Estate—now owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS)—features a medieval grand hall, a Jacobean mansion house, a Victorian-era library, and an ancient oak forest.

On the banks of the River Tay, Discovery Point is home to the RRS Discovery, a former Antarctic research vessel. Learn the Discovery’s story, from the ship’s construction to its many voyages, including the Discovery Expedition of 1901–04, when Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton first journeyed to the Antarctic.

Located in Aberdeen’s West End, the Gordon Highlanders Museum is dedicated to what Sir Winston Churchill once described as “the finest regiment in the world.” The Gordon Highlanders were active from 1794 to 1994, and the independently run military museum is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the historic infantry unit.

One of the largest tower houses in Scotland, Castle Fraser—located within easy day-trip distance of Aberdeen—dates as far back as 1450. Visitors can explore the castle’s grand halls, ascend to its towers for top-notch views, explore its generous parklands, admire its portrait collection, and otherwise soak up its regal intrigue.

Explore the history of Dundee’s jute industry at Verdant Works, an interactive museum situated in a refurbished 19th century mill. Learn about the city’s industrial textile past and about tenement life and mill workers through immersive, interactive exhibits and multimedia displays, and see historic equipment at work.

Boasting conical-roofed turrets, towers, and battlements, this pink-hued Scottish Baronial-style tower house is one of several properties said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Constructed in 1626, the property is replete with original features, precious artworks, and historical artifacts including armor and weapons.

Windswept, desolate, and teetering on the cliff tops of Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire’s Slains Castle (also known as New Slains Castle) evokes such a forbidding atmosphere it’s easy to believe it provided inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Literary association aside, Slains Castle draws visitors with its historic appeal and coastal walks.