Self catering holiday accommodation to rent in Grampian Scotland UK

<body> <p><strong>Self catering holiday homes, cottages, houses and flats to rent for holidays in Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Kincardineshire, Scotland from Country Cottages Online Directory of self-catering holiday cottages around the UK</strong></p> <p>Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Kincardineshire are now encompassed by the Grampian region.  </p> <p>Towns in Grampian: <b>Aberdeen,</b> Aboyne, Alford, Ballater, Balmedie, Banchory, Banff, Boddam, Braemar, Buckie, Bucksburn, Cairnbulg, Charlestown of Aberlour, Cornhill, Craigellachie, Crimond, Cruden Bay, Cullen, Cults, Dufftown, Dyce, Elgin, Ellon, Fochabers, Forres, Fraserburgh, Huntly, Insch, Inverurie, Inverallochy, Keith, Kemnay, Kinloss, Kintore, Laurencekirk, Longhaven, Lossiemouth, Maud, Milltimber, Mintlaw, Newmachar, Oldmeldrum, Oyne, Pennan, Peterhead, Portlethen, Rosehearty, Stonehaven, Strathdon, Strichen, Tomintoul, Turriff, Wartle, Westhills </p> <p> There are places of remarkable beauty and interest in Grampian. The beauty spots are not necessarily as obvious as in the west of Scotland, tourists have to visit individual places rather than be surrounded by mile on mile of loch and glen, as in the west. It takes a little more effort but in reality is much more interesting and rewarding. </p> <p>Battered by the cold winds and waves of the North Sea, are the majestic cliffs of Bullers of Buchan, near Peterhead. The cliffs make ideal nesting places for myriads of sea birds.  Pink thrift, mosses and lichens are in abundance. There's a cliff top walk to Slains Castle ruins, of Dracula fame, at Cruden Bay, which has a wonderful long sweep of sand, an eighteen hold golf course and some very nice pubs for lunch. The cliff top walk to Cruden Bay goes through a ravine which is very beautiful around May, with yellow gorse, beds of wild iris edging the stream and forget-me-nots in patches. Fifteen miles south along the coast towards Aberdeen, at Newburgh and the Ythan estuary, there's a wonderful nature reserve with an abundance of birds - paradise for twitchers. There are quaint tiny fishing villages all around the coast, some like Pennan have made national headlines because Local Hero was filmed there. Access to the village is via a steep rod winding its way down the cliff to the quayside. Not one for the feint hearted or after a few beers. The local pub has superb traditional dishes on offer like Finnan Haddie.</p> <p>Peterhead and Fraserburgh, are both fishing ports that have gone into decline in recent years and have little to offer the tourist as such, except for a glimpse of a very different type of lifestyle. Both towns are more steeped in religion than most in Great Britain. Peterhead even has a Christian 'nightclub' open on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, called G3,  in a former furniture shop in Broad Street that appears to be quite popular, and churches of all creeds abound. It is just possible that total strangers will stop and ask you whether you 'have been saved'. Simpson's tea shop, also in Broad Street will offer you a Christian welcome.  Try it all if you want an alternative experience! </p> <p>Ten miles inland from Peterhead is Aden Country Park, in Mintlaw.  That offers visitors pleasant walks through woodland, and picnic areas. There is plenty of open space around the ruin of a former grand house which is ideal for family games of football, throwing Frisbees, rounders or even for barbecues on warm sunny days. A little outside Mintlaw are the ruins of a former Abbey, then further along the road and north, White Cow Wood, run by the Forestry Commission,  has well marked walking trails for walkers of varying abilities. A sign-posted stone circle is to be found just off one of the trails. There is also a picnic area with tables.</p> <p>Inland near Inverurie, hill walkers will appreciate the hills of Bennachie. There's a whisky distillery with a tour not far from there, part of the whiskey trail. The Cairngorms begin to offer the spectacular kind of scenery that Scotland is famous for, with lochs, castles and deer. The Royal Family have their summer residence at Balmoral on Royal Deeside, near Braemar with its annual Highland Games. </p> <p>Further north up near Fochabers there are trails through extensive woodland, and the Speyside Way. Baxters of soup and jam fame have an organised factory visit, plus a very nice gift shop and restaurant. There are also more distilleries on the Whisky trail where you will be introduced to how whisky is made and invited to sup a dram or two. </p> <p>Aberdeen, the 'Granite City' is full of bustling shops and has some excellent places to eat.  The Charlotte in Charlotte Street offers superb food in large quantities at very reasonable prices.  A collection of trendy fast food eating places like TGI Fridays, Pizza Hut, are to be found at the new Entertainment Village near the sea front.   There's also a large multiscreen cinema, nightclub etc. </p> <p>Grampian is excellent for people who would enjoy stunning coastal scenery, quaint fishing villages, superb beaches, some wonderful golf, good traditional food, hill walking, glimpses of red deer, fly fishing, the whiskey trail, castle visits, and something just that bit different. </p> <p><strong>Tel: 01245 425718 for a list of self-catering cottages in the area. 2 years advertising for the price of one offer for holiday property owners.</strong></p> </body>