North East 250 Custom Tour
We can accommodate a different combination or number of days, or we can also start or finish elsewhere. We can build a custom tour to your desired shape.
North East 250 Tour from Inverness – 2026
“Experience Scotland’s North East 250 on a relaxed four-day tour from Inverness in 2026.”
What is the North East 250
Our North East 250 Tour is a circular route and showcases the very best of Aberdeenshire and Moray Speyside in north east Scotland. That is why we, at Inverness Tours, love touring with guests through the stunning mix of coast and countryside that this area offers.
Things to do on the North East 250
Whether your enthusiasms are distilleries, castles, gardens, walks, wildlife or activities this area has it all. Firstly, Cairngorm National Park has stunning wilderness and mountain areas. Secondly, Royal Deeside has been the Royal Family’s choice of Scottish retreat since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased Balmoral Castle. Thirdly, the area has many pretty seaside towns and ancient villages to enjoy. In addition, Foodies can delight in everything from fresh seafood to award-winning craft beer because Aberdeenshire’s coast and country is renowned for great local produce. Arts and crafts too are much in evidence with unique outlets like Portsoy Marble and Knockando Woolmill.
Duff House in Banff, now part of the National Galleries of Scotland.
How long to drive North East 250?
Not everyone has time for a multi-day North East 250 tour, and some people prefer not to move their lodgings each night – so we have a couple of one-day tours and a half day tour which run out of Inverness. These allow you to sample some of the riches that the North East 250 has to offer. You can choose from the Balmoral Castle and Royal Deeside Tour or the Moray Coast and Speyside Tour. If you just have time for a half day then our Ballindalloch Castle and Speyside Tour is the perfect taster.
North East 250 – Four Day Complete Tour
We offer a fabulous four-day tour along this route. Our complete North East 250 Tour begins and ends in the Highland Capital – Inverness. The route can run clockwise or anti-clockwise as suits you, and can include your own choice of stunning walks, visits and visitor attractions on each of the four days. (Our advice would be clockwise).
Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside - Scottish home for the Royal Family
Day Tours on the North East 250
For those with less time we have a range of Day Tours that cover part of the North East 250 Route.
Ballindalloch Castle and Speyside Tour
The Ballindalloch Castle and Speyside Tour is the shortest of our offerings on the North East 250. In Speyside we sample the delights of the castle known as the Pearl of the North; Ballindalloch. Then you can fill your time enjoying the castle gardens, or you can visit any one of Cragganmore, Cardhu or Dallas Dhu Distilleries on your way home. Another alternative visit for your return journey would be the Knockando Woolmill.
Balmoral Castle and Royal Deeside Tour
The Balmoral Castle and Royal Deeside Tour only visits Balmoral April to July. From August to October we swap in Corgarff Castle instead. Next we travel along Royal Deeside to the attractive town of Braemar for free time and for lunch. A visit to Crathie Kirk follows, and your last visit of the day is either Royal Lochnagar Distillery or the Whisky Castle in Tomintoul. We can stop to take photos at Carrbridge during our return.
Moray Coast and Speyside Tour
The Moray Coast and Speyside Tour is a great mix of coast and country. We head east to Gordon Castle, Bow Fiddle Rock and the Three Kings at Cullen. You will enjoy free time here for lunch and a wander. In the afternoon we visit Fordyce Historic Village, Portsoy Harbour and then inland to the town of Keith where you can choose between free time in town or a visit to Strathisla Distillery. Our return to Inverness will give us the chance for photos at Craigellachie Bridge and the village of Dallas.
Ballindalloch Castle, the Pearl of the North, on our North East 250 Tour
Castles on the North East 250
The NorthEast 250 is made for Castle hunters as a result of the many mansions, castles and ruined strongholds in this region. The ones which feature on our tours are as follows: Ballindalloch Castle; Balmoral Castle; Corgarff Castle; Duff House; Delgatie Castle; Slains Castle; Dunottar Castle and Crathes Castle. However, if you had a particular interest in any of the other great castles of the north east, like Fyvie Castle; Drum Castle; Craigievar Castle or Castle Fraser then it is an easy task to substitute one for another (depending on routings).
Distilleries on the North East 250
Distilleries abound on the NorthEast 250 due to the pure water and fine croplands. The ones which often feature on our tours are as follows: Cragganmore; Cardhu; Dallas Dhu; Glenglassaugh; Strathisla; Royal Lochnagar and Glenlivet. However, if you had a particular interest in any of the other distilleries of the north east, like Glen Garioch; GlenDronach; Ballindalloch or Benromach then it is an easy task to substitute one for another (depending on routings).
Gardens on the North East 250
Many of the Castles that we visit on the NorthEast 250 have magnificent gardens but we also visit the David Welch Winter Gardens in Aberdeen too. This is because they make a fantastic all-weather venue and are one of Europe’s largest indoor gardens. However, it would be easy to accommodate other gardens such as Pitmeddan or Aden Country Park, by substituting one for another (dependent upon routings).
Food & Drink on the North East 250
We visit some very special food and drink locations on the NorthEast 250, such as Gordon Castle; Brewdog for freshly brewed beer; the Cambus O’ May Creamery and Walker’s Shortbread, Aberlour. However, there are a wealth of other culinery treasures that we would be equally happy to visit instead – such as Portsoy Ice Cream; Barra Farm Shop: the Devenick Dairy or Glen Rinnes gin and vodka distillery.
Crafts on the North East 250
We enjoy introducing visitors to the crafts of Scotland due to the many truly unique craft outlets to be found on the NorthEast 250. Some of our favourites include Portsoy Marble; Braemar Hornshop; Aden Country Park and Knockando Woolmill. There are a wealth of other talented craftspeople throughout the north east however, and if time permits we can stop off as we roll. These might include outlets such as Cullen Crafts, Strichen Antiques; Milton of Crathes Craft village or the Whisky Castle in Tomintoul
Why Inverness Tours
Local Knowledge
Inverness Tours has been taking visitors on world-class tours for more than fifteen years. We have been working to make our exclusive tour business the finest of its kind available in Scotland. Our solid (but constantly updated) knowledge is a tool for your use. As a result, you will enjoy the best eating places, the most rewarding visits, and the locals’ choice of “off the beaten track” walks and vistas. We strive to enthral, excite and entertain as we show you the real Scotland.
Inverness Tour Guides
Our Inverness Tour Guides are a hand-picked team. As well as being accredited members of the Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association, they are all well-recognised as being at the top of their fields. We chose them because they are great storytellers, fun to be with, and uniquely qualified to do what they do well. We know you deserve the best team of guides available. See their individual profiles here
Track Record
We have a fabulous back-catalogue of reviews. Over 98% of our hundreds of TripAdvisor reviews are five-star, so we have received their Certificate of Excellence every year, and a placement in their Hall of Fame!