The North East 250
With spectacular mountains, beaches, castles and distilleries, there is something for everyone along the ultimate trip to the heart of Scotland
Think of Scotland, and you’ll think of breath-taking scenery, magnificent, vast mountain passes, historic castles, renowned Scotch whisky distilleries, traditional villages and a beautiful coastline, offering stunning seascapes. You could be forgiven for thinking that to find those, you’d need to carefully plan a route to see them all, but there’s no need – the North East 250 encapsulates the lot while still allowing you to go your own way with what attraction or activity takes your fancy.
The North East 250 is a circular route that winds through six stunning regions in the north east of the country, taking in Speyside, the Cairngorms, Royal Deeside, Aberdeen, the East Coast and the Moray Coast.
From the majestic mountain passes of the Cairngorms National Park and the captivating castles of Royal Deeside to the quaint coastal villages dotted along the Moray Firth Coast, there is plenty to experience on your adventure.
There are around 140 visitor sites on or near the route, which includes 11 castles, 13 distilleries, 17 museums and visitor centres. There are attractions for young and old alike, with outdoor activity options galore that will keep the most energetic of youngsters happy, with plenty of museums and historic sites for those of more mature years to enjoy.
A number of world famous Scotch whisky distilleries can be found on the NE250 route, including Macallan, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Ballindalloch. Most can be visited during the week; and a bespoke Malt Whisky Trail dedicated to them can be found in Speyside.
With so many attractions to choose from, you’ll need places to re-energise and relax, and there are numerous cafes and restaurants along the way, all offering the best in local produce, from pub lunches to gourmet meals, all served with a smile. If you’ve ever wanted to fly fish for the majestic Atlantic Salmon, then there’s the chance to take a rod on the Rivers Spey and Dee, both renowned worldwide for their crystal clear water that makes them ideal for salmon and trout fishing. Most fishing beats offer day tickets. And if you’re looking to stay a few nights, there’s a variety of hotels and guest houses in which to stay, with something to cater for every budget. The route is dotted with luxury hotels, campsites, B&Bs and lodges.
For those looking to unwind and sample golf in its home country, there are plenty of courses just waiting to be played – with a welcoming 19th hole at the end of all!
Guy Macpherson-Grant, who created the route in 2017, said: ‘With a route that takes in stunning mountain scenery and coastal landscapes with magnificent beaches, we want to make this accessible to as many people as possible. ‘We offer everything from history and heritage, outdoor and adventure to food and drink. ‘At the heart of Royal Deeside, we have Balmoral, the Scottish summer residence of the Royal Family, a proud connection that we have in the North East 250.
‘The North East 250 is just the starting point – you can follow our route, or you can go your own way – there’s just so much to see and do.’