Top Aberdeen Day Trips

Balmoral & Royal Deeside Tour

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(104)

from $144

North East Coastal Trail Small Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

9 hoursFree Cancellation

4.8

(90)

from $80

Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire

8 hoursFree Cancellation

Loch Ness and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

(76)

from $144

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(164)

from $132

6 Hour Private Aberdeenshire Castle and Historic Building Tour

Explore Dunnottar Castle, Crathes Castle & Scotland’s Historic Heartlands. Discover Aberdeenshire’s most spectacular castles and historic sites on a fully guided private tour from Aberdeen. With a private guide, you don’t just see Aberdeenshire—you experience it on a carefully paced private journey designed to help you connect with the places you visit. Dunnottar Castle - One of Scotland’s most iconic castles, dramatically set on an impregnable rocky headland in the North Sea. Crathes Castle and Gardens - A beautifully preserved 16th century castle on Royal Deeside. Lunch at lovely local restaurant. Drum Castle – An impressive 14th century historic medieval stronghold. Old Aberdeen - St Machar’s Cathedral (14th century), and King’s College (15th century) offer a glimpse into Scotland’s academic and religious past. Every tour is exclusive to your group only. Most castle grounds are free to visit, but charge for interior tours. Attractions are subject to seasonal opening times

6 Hour Private Aberdeenshire Castle and Historic Building Tour

6 hours

from $344

Start your day at the Port of Aberdeen, for a journey filled with breathtaking views and captivating stops. Your first destination is the stunning Falls of Feugh, just a short drive away. Stretch your legs and take in the natural beauty of the cascading waters, with a chance to spot salmon swimming upstream, adding to the magical scenery. Next, immerse yourself in the grandeur of Balmoral Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks. Wander the castle grounds at your own pace, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Balmoral Café, and dive into the royal history of this majestic residence. From the tranquil gardens to the elegant interiors, Balmoral offers a truly royal experience. Then, head to Ballater, a charming Victorian village nestled in the Cairngorms National Park. Explore quaint streets, browse local shops for handmade crafts, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. End your day with a scenic drive back to Aberdeen, reflecting on the beauty and history you’ve experienced

Balmoral and Royal Deeside Shore Excursion from Aberdeen

Balmoral and Royal Deeside Shore Excursion from Aberdeen

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.5

(24)

from $139

Get out of the city for a more-rounded experience of Aberdeenshire's diverse landscapes. This small-group tour from Aberdeen takes you along the stunning coastline to Dunnottar Castle, perched on a cliff with sweeping views of the North Sea; to the charming village of Stonehaven; to Mill of Benholm, a real gem hidden in the Mearns; and Greyhope Bay for the chance to spot dolphins and seabirds. Along the way, sample a selection of local treats.

Dunnottar Castle and Coastal Heritage

7 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(33)

from $144

Discover the true spirit of Speyside on a private journey through one of Scotland’s most iconic whisky regions. Follow the River Spey as it winds past historic bridges, rolling hills, and world‑famous distilleries. Your day centres around an immersive Glenfiddich Explorer experience, where you’ll step behind the scenes, wander through atmospheric warehouses, and enjoy expertly guided tastings that reveal how craftsmanship, tradition, and time shape every drop of Glenfiddich... This tour blends whisky heritage with the beauty of Speyside—passing through Dufftown, Craigellachie Bridge, and the River Spey itself. Along the way, you’ll explore charming villages and scenic viewpoints that capture the essence of the Highlands. With private transportation, an English‑speaking driver‑guide, and admission to the Glenfiddich Distillery included, this is the ideal tour for whisky lovers, curious travellers, and anyone seeking a truly Scottish experience

Glenfiddich Distillery Whisky Tour Speyside Inc Admission fee's

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $892

Discover the beauty of Aberdeenshire on a personalized private tour tailored just for you. With a dedicated driver-guide, explore the region at your own pace and choose your must-see destinations. Benefit from your guide’s local insights and knowledge to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you want to visit historic castles, stunning coastlines, or charming villages, this tour offers the flexibility to craft your ideal day out in Aberdeenshire. - Enjoy a fully customizable itinerary based on your interests - Private driver-guide ensures a personal and intimate experience - Explore Aberdeenshire at your own pace with expert local advice - Ideal for solo travelers, couples, or small groups looking for adventure

Aberdeen Shore Excursion - Private Tour

7 hoursFree Cancellation

from $1,318

Aberdeen & Shire Castle & Distillery Private Group one Day Tour

7 to 8 hours

(13)

from $513

Whisky distilleries abound in Scotland and deciding where to go can be tricky, while driving between distilleries takes tastings off the table. That’s not a problem on this intimate small-group tour, as your driver-guide transports you to two specially selected distilleries in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. There, learn about the history and production of whisky, before sampling for yourself.

Speyside Whisky Trail Day Tour from Aberdeen Including Admissions

Speyside Whisky Trail Day Tour from Aberdeen Including Admissions

10 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(36)

from $111

Deep in the stunning Ballochbuie Forest (part of the Kings’ Balmoral Estate) lies the “Honka House”. This log cabin was a gift from Finland for the Queens silver wedding anniversary and has been a favourite picnic spot for the Royal's ever since. Near the retreat are the stunning Falls of Garbh Allt, over which Queen Victoria had a beautiful iron bridge installed in 1878 and it is still in use today. The tour will be set at your own pace and there will opportunities to stop and admire the views. Our tour also takes us over the famous 18thC Invercauld Bridge. After the walk the can visit the amazing Fife Arms Hotel for lunch. The hotel is an attraction in itself. After lunch we can visit Balmoral Castle depending on seasonal open times and if time, the stunning Crathes Castle. Please contact us re dates. The walk is available all year, even if the Royal Family are in residence. Please note the walk is an approx 4.5 miles long on well maintained and mostly gentle paths.

Private Balmoral Walking Tour to Queens Secret Cabin & the Castle

9 hours

(1)

from $465

Begin your journey in Royal Deeside at the Rob Roy McGregor statue, where the story of Scotland’s legendary outlaw sets the scene for your adventure. Travel through the stunning Aberdeenshire into the Cairngorms National Park, surrounded by mountains, forests, and timeless Highland scenery. Your highlight is Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s beloved summer retreat. Wander the beautiful grounds, explore the estate at your own pace, and soak in the atmosphere of this iconic royal residence. This private tour is designed for up to six guests and shaped around your interests. With a friendly, knowledgeable driver‑guide and a flexible itinerary, you’ll enjoy an authentic Scottish experience filled with history, landscapes, and unforgettable moments. Our mission is to create authentic, memorable tours and adventures.

Balmoral Castle & Royal Deeside tour

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(3)

from $957

This half-day adventure is the perfect way to check off a variety of dispersed castles in Aberdeenshire in a day. Enjoy the luxury and comfort of having your own private driver and a tour that's tailored to suit your requirements. Potential stops include Drum Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, the Royal Deeside masterpiece of Crathes Castle, and the ruined fortress of Dunnottar Castle.

Aberdeenshire Castles Cows and Whisky Private Day Trip

7 to 8 hours

from $817

Meet Johnnie Walker - Private Whisky Tour - From Edinburgh

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.5

from $798

A truly amazing day out visiting some of the most stunning, famous & iconic castles in Scotland, Crathes, Balmoral, Glamis & Dunnottar. (Aberdeenshire is spoilt with castles). The day is fully guided by your driver/guide and or castle staff. Lunch is in superb local restaurant. This is a private tour for your party & includes pick up/drop off. The route and itinerary can be changed to suit. Please advise us of any changes. Balmoral have extended their opening dates from Oct to Aug. Glamis is open Spring to Winter. Contact us for details. If you would like to visit a distillery instead of a castle, let us know so we can book a tasting tour. Advance booking required for distilleries. Most castles grounds are free to access (except Balmoral & Glamis) but all charge for internal tours. All attractions subject to seasonal opening times. Please contact us for details. Please note at Dunnottar there is a gentle slope from carpark to see it, but to go inside there is a long staircase.

Private Balmoral Glamis Dunnottar Castles Tour from Aberdeen

from $1,053

The Royal Cairns which are found in the Balmoral Castle estate, are a collection of stone monuments, erected by Queen Victoria to commemorate family milestones. The most prominent and famous is the 50-foot-high Prince Albert’s memorial Pyramid, a large granite structure and the only pyramid in Scotland. The walk is through stunning forest and features panoramic views of Balmoral Castle, Royal Deeside and the Cairngorm Mountains. The tour will be set at your own pace. After the walk we visit the amazing Fife Arms Hotel, an attraction in itself, for lunch. After lunch we can visit Balmoral Castle depending on seasonal open times (usually open from Oct-Aug) and if time, the stunning Dunnottar Castle. Or there is the option of a Whisky Distillery Tasting Tour. Please contact us. The walk is available all year, even if the Royal Family are in residence. Please note the walk is approximately 3 hours, through forest and is steep in some places. A certain degree of fitness is required.

Private Royal Cairns Walking Tour and Balmoral Castle Tour

9 hours

from $479

Small-Group Guided Walk at Linn of Quoich in the Cairngorm National Park. Discover one of Royal Deeside’s most beautiful riverside walks on this guided walk to the Linn of Quoich and Punch Bowl. Ideal for visitors who want an easy-to-moderate hike with big scenery, this experience combines rushing water, Caledonian pine forest, Highland history, and the chance to spot local wildlife. With a qualified mountain leader guiding the route, you can enjoy the landscape at a relaxed pace while learning about the area’s natural and royal heritage.

A scenic guided walk through Royal Deeside’s New for winter2026

A scenic guided walk through Royal Deeside’s New for winter2026

7 hoursFree Cancellation

from $957

Start your day at the Port of Aberdeen, where you’ll board your transport at South Harbour for a scenic journey through Royal Deeside. Your first stop is the beautiful Falls of Feugh, known for its cascading waters and leaping salmon during spawning season. Next, explore Balmoral Castle, the royal family's summer residence. Stroll through its gardens, visit the 2025 exhibition in the Castle Ballroom, and enjoy lunch at the Balmoral Café. Then head to Ballater, a charming Victorian village with quaint shops and stunning views of the Cairngorms. After a relaxed afternoon, return to Aberdeen, taking in the serene Highland scenery along the way.

Aberdeen Balmoral Castle and Royal Deeside Day Trip

Aberdeen Balmoral Castle and Royal Deeside Day Trip

8 hoursFree Cancellation

4.0

(1)

from $1,075

Door to door pick up/drop off & Private Tour with driver/guide. Aberdeenshire has many treasures to offer, and we take you on a private tour to some amazing castles and areas that are stunning as they are interesting. Our suggested itinerary covers four castles, all very different to each other and 1000’s of years of history. -Crathes Castle–A 16thC marvel with amazing gardens -Balmoral Castle–The Scottish home to the Royal Family (not open all year) -Lunch at lovely restaurant -Craigievar Castle–The iconic Pink Disney Castle -Dunnottar Castle-one of the world's most iconic and a must see Whisky distillery Tasting Tour option - contact us. We are happy to change the itinerary to suit you and route may depend on hotel location. Most castles are free to see from the outside, except Balmoral. Interior tours are chargeable and subject to seasonal opening times. Contact us for details. Please note Balmoral is not open all year. Alternative castles & attractions can be visited.

Balmoral Craigievar Dunnottar Crathes Castles Private Tour

from $970

Rather than following someone else's trail, choose your own adventure on this private whisky tour of the Highlands. A must for any whisky fan, work with your tour guide to create your ideal tour, taking in some of your favorite distilleries, or discover something new. Talk with distillers and your guide about the history of Scotland’s most famous export, and learn all there is to know about the history of whisky making.

Private Highland whisky tour from Edinburgh- Build your own tour!

7 to 10 hoursFree Cancellation

3.8

(10)

from $611

We offer a private tour to the heart of whisky country. Visit any Whisky Distilleries you want, and an example itinerary is in the Tour Details. All are subject to availability and most distilleries require advance booking for a Guided Tasting Tour, but not for just a tasting. On a Distillery Tasting Tour you will learn the secrets of how Scotland's most famous drink is crafted and then you have the opportunity to sample the beautiful offerings. We can recommend which distilleries to visit if required, but wherever we take you, you know you can sit back and relax and let us do the driving. Some of the most popular distilleries on Speyside are Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Aberlour, Glenfarclas, Ballindalloch, Balvenie and GlenAllachie. We will book the internal guided tasting tours for you and invoice you separately via PayPal. We will also book you in to a great local restaurant for lunch. Option to include a Castle or Cooperage Tour. Please contact us for details.

Best Scottish Whisky Distilleries Private Tasting Trip plus optional Castle Tour

from $950

Whisky Distillery Trifecta - Glenlivet-Glenallachie-Strathisla

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.1

(31)

from $902

Speyside Whisky Trail Day Tour from Aberdeen Including Admissions

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What are people saying about Aberdeen

Scott_H, Aug 2026

Great traipse across Speyside

Long drives, but very nicely paced with beautiful countryside and sights, and a very engaging guide. Tastings at Whisky Castle, Speyside Cooperage, and Cardhu were very nice. Tours at Cardhu was informative, but for me the highlight was the cooperage. Interesting to see the crew working and understand a key overlooked factor in whisky production. It all starts with an acorn.

Balmoral & Royal Deeside Tour

Joan_C, Aug 2026

Great day out

A great day out. Jamie was our guide and he made the whole day very informative and entertaining. We travelled as a small group of seven people in a large people carrier vehicle. The small group number made it quick and easy to get everyone on and off the vehicle. It also made it a small friendly group for the day out. We visited Balmoral and had a couple of hour to walk round. Stopped at a couple of villages in the area - very nice places. Jamie was very informative and able to answer the questions asked.

Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire

Joan_C, Aug 2026

Fishing villages

A very good day out with Alex as our guide on the Coastal Villages tour. We visited a large number of fishing areas and saw some lovely coastal scenery. Alex provided us with a lot of information about the places we were visiting and about the Aberdeen area. Also details about the history of fishing in this part of Scotland. A small group made the day friendly and enjoyable. I definitely recommend this tour. We did several day trips with Grampian Escapes and Tours and all were very good.

North East Coastal Trail Small Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

Sylvia_M, Aug 2026

Incredible journey

We had a fantastic day, and can't thank Alan enough for his hospitality. He had proactively adjusted the tour to avoid heavy traffic, which meant we still did a good amount of activities. He kindly offered to help take photos, shared facts and legends about the area, and drove well on the road. It was worth getting to know Scotland a bit more intimately and recommend this tour to anyone. We visited Slains Castle (don't miss this!), a Puffin nesting site, several harbours and the Dolphin Sanctuary. He adjusted timings as we went, to ensure we stayed on track and had the appropriate amount of time at each spot.

Balmoral and Royal Deeside Shore Excursion from Aberdeen

Melinda_M, Jul 2026

Outstanding Tour at a Great Price

Our tour guide, Alan, was absolutely outstanding. This tour is perfectly designed for cruise travelers, and we were delighted to experience it at a price that was significantly lower than the cruise line’s excursion. We were picked up directly at the cruise terminal and taken to the beautiful Falls of Feugh before heading to Balmoral. There was plenty of time to tour the ballroom, explore the gardens, and enjoy lunch. Afterward, we visited a charming village near Balmoral. Because we had a little extra time, Alan also took us to Drum Castle, which was an unexpected bonus. Alan’s knowledge of the Royal Family was exceptional, and we learned a tremendous amount throughout the day. This was one of the highlights of our trip, and I can’t recommend this tour highly enough.

Dunnottar Castle and Royal Deeside Small-Group Tour from Aberdeen

Jessica_A, Jun 2026

I would highly recommend...

I would highly recommend this tour!!! Our tour guide Alan knew all the best spots for pictures at our various stops and kept us entertained along the drive. We got to see castles, quite a bit of the River Dee, and some small waterfalls. There were also plenty of bathroom stops and stops to take in the breathtaking scenery.

Loch Ness and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

Sabine_S, Oct 2025

Great experience, worth the money!

It was a lovely trip, Alan (or Allan?) our tour guide was a gem, entertaining us during the ride with little anecdotes and interesting (fun)facts and took really good care of us ♥ (And it seemed he really cared not just doing his job). He stopped at interesting spots (quite a lot of them like Carr-Bridge, Caledonian Battlefield, some impressive viaduct, Balnuaran of Clava, Craigellachie Bridge and more, even to pat Dougal and Hamish (2 highland cows - what sweeties). The boat ride on Loch Ness was also very nice especially because we were really lucky with the weather. Nessi though wasn't spotted :-). Unfortunately there isn't really enough time to explore more on your own but if you want that, you have to rent a car and do it on your own. All in all a very nice day out! Only minor "complain": Alan (or Allan - sorry that I can`t remember), please expand your playlist :-). I really do love the idea behind it, but hearing 500 miles 5 times is too much. It`s still in my head :-). Thanks for a great day!