North East 250 – Four Day Tour – The Complete Tour
Enjoy the complete North East 250 Four Day Tour from Inverness with local knowledge from the Inverness Tour Guides. We overnight in Banff, Aberdeen and Braemar during our journey. Travel in style and comfort in our air conditioned vehicles. Tours priced for up to 7 passengers. See FAQ tab for info on supplementary fares for guide lodgings.
Visit stunning sites including; Duff House, Pennan, Slains Castle, Dunottar Castle, Burn O Vat, Crathie Kirk and Balmoral. This is an epic road trip.
Departure
Collection from within 16 miles of Inverness included in the price.
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£2,320.00 4 days
North East 250 – Four Day Tour – The Complete Tour – Itinerary
North East 250 Four Day Tour Highlights and brief Itinerary
- Day One – leaves Inverness, stopping at Gordon Castle and coastal villages. We lunch in Cullen and then stop in Fordyce, Portsoy harbour and Duff House, staying overnight in Banff.
- Day Two – begins with Delgatie Castle, then Pennan. The afternoon stops at the breathtaking Bullers of Buchan and Slains Castle. Reaching Aberdeen city we’ll visit either St Machar’s Cathedral or the David Welch Winter Gardens. We overnight in Aberdeen.
- Day Three – we visit Dunottar Castle and Crathes Castle. Burn O Vat is our next stop before lunch in Ballater. Then we visit Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Crathie Kirk and either Balmoral Castle or Braemar Castle. We overnight in Braemar.
- Day Four – sees us visiting Corgarff Castle, and Glenlivet Distillery. Our last visits are Ballindalloch Castle and Walkers Shortbread shop before returning to Inverness.
Day One – Inverness – Banff -North East 250 – Four Day Tour
Gordon Castle Walled Garden
Open all year round, the walled garden is one of Scotland’s best kept secrets. At almost eight acres in size it is one of the oldest and largest kitchen gardens in Britain and has been lovingly restored to its former glory with a modern design by world famous designer Arne Maynard. There is an award-winning café and a shop, with a product range based on the plants they grow.
Bow Fiddle Rock
The quarzite natural rock arch near Portknockie on the Moray Coast is one of our most famous coastal features. It gets its name because it resembles the tip of a fiddle bow. It is a lovely place for a short walk and a photo or two.
The Three Kings
The Three Kings are impressive Quarzite stacks on Cullen Beach. King Indulf of the Scots died in battle here, against invading Norse and Danish armies in 962 AD. Both Vikings and Danes also supposedly lost kings that day, hence the name of the sea stacks. The old rhyme says “Between Coedlich and the sea, there lies Kings’ sons three.”
Cullen
Cullen is a charming seaside town, with an impressive beach and attractive harbour. Gift shops and antique stores line the main street, and the ice cream shop is nearly legendary. All of that, together with charming cafes, pubs and an excellent fish and chip shop make Cullen an excellent choice for free time and lunch. The town has also given its name to the famous fish soup; Cullen Skink. This town is the setting for the annual world Cullen Skink championships. Smoked haddock, potatoes and onion are nowhere else the subject of such fierce competition!
Fordyce
Historic Fordyce is so lovely it would be a shame to miss it. A village with a truly medieval feel, it is just the place to have a walk and soak up the atmosphere. Whether your passions run to castles, churchyards or just peace and quiet then Fordyce is time well spent. The Castle on the main street dates was a Menzies house, built in 1592. The churchyard is one of the most interesting in northern Scotland, and some of the church ruins there date back to 1272. The upper floor of the ruined church has some fascinating exhibits on the village history.
Portsoy
Portsoy is a charming coastal village particularly well known because of its historic harbour. The harbour makes Portsoy the ideal place to host the annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival. We also find the artisan Portsoy Marble shop here, making jewellery not from marble but rather from Serpentine. The 2016 movie “Whisky Galore” was filmed here.
Duff House
Our first day ends at the fine old county town of Banff, where we can visit the stunning Georgian mansion of Duff House. It is part of the National Galleries of Scotland and so is filled with marvellous artworks.
Day Two – Banff – Aberdeen -North East 250 – Four Day Tour
Delgatie Castle
The Earl of Buchan, who built a castle here in 1030 AD, lost it to Robert the Bruce in 1308. Bruce then gifted the castle to the Hay family. Today’s tower house dates mainly from the 1570’s. It ended up in the hands of Captain John Hay in the early 1950’s. Through decades of hard work, he and his wife transformed the castle from derelict ruin to the castle that we now see. He established the Clan Hay centre here and first opened it to the public in 1994. As he died in 1997 the castle is now run by a trust.
Pennan
Pennan is a pictuesque village of whitewashed cottages huddling around the Pennan Inn at the foot of some north-facing seacliffs. You may think it looks familiar as this is where the 1983 movie “Local Hero” was filmed. As a result, we think that it is probably fair to claim that the red telephone box on the village’s only street is probably the most famous in the world. Pennan is also a hotspot for seeing dolphins and grey seals.
Deer Abbey
The Abbey, founded by Cistercian Monks in 1219, is associated with the Book of Deer; a gospel written between 900 and 1100AD. Scholars in Cambridge University, where the book is now held, consider it to be the oldest body of Gaelic writing in Scotland. The Protestant Reformation of 1560 heralded the end of the Abbey, and it eventually became domestic housing. A later owner, Admiral Ferguson, largely destroyed most of the remaining buildings in the 1800’s. The ruins that still stand have a poignant peace about them, and are a pleasant place to spend time.
Bullers of Buchan
A huge sea cave collapsed here, creating the gigantic blow-hole we see today. Pierced by two arches, the encircling wall of rock creates a chasm nearly a hundred feet deep. You may wonder at the odd name; Bullers of Buchan. Buchan is simply the old name for this area, and Bullers may come from the french word “bouillir”, meaning “to boil”, as the water can look like it is boiling during stormy weather. The coastal scenery is fantastic here, and numbered among the many seabirds we find here, are puffins, between April and August.
Slains Castle
New Slains Castle is an undoubted high point of day two because of both location and history. It is an impressive crumbling ruin on the cliff edge and became the inspiration for Castle Dracula following Bram Stoker’s visit in 1894.
St Machar’s Cathedral
Although St Machar first founded the place of worship here in 580 AD, Edward III of England destroyed it in the 1300’s. What we see today, therefore dates mainly from the 1400’s. Beautiful windows help light its interior, while above us we can see the amazing heraldic ceiling. Just inside the west gate affords the best view of this fine fortified kirk. The freestone spires soar heavenwards atop towers described as “embattled”.
David Welch Winter Gardens
The David Welch Winter Gardens is a fantastic glass house complex that provides a year round indoor garden experience. It is a great place to wander and is home to many exotic plants including one of the largest collections of cacti in Britain. It is one of Europe’s largest indoor gardens and Scotland’s third most visited gardens.
Aberdeen
We end our second day in Aberdeen, called the Granite City due to the grey stone from which it is built. The city has a wealth of attractions whether you have cathedrals, winter gardens or nightlife in mind.
Day Three – Aberdeen to Braemar – North East 250 – Four Day Tour
Dunottar Castle
Everyone loves Dunottar Castle! For some it is the impregnable clifftop location, while for others it is due to the many movies featuring Dunottar. The most famous of these films might include Hamlet, Victor Frankenstein and everyone’s favourite – Brave!
Crathes Castle
A visit to Crathes Castle is fulfilling for a wide range of visitors. Burnett of Leys built the castle in the 1500’s and the family owned it until the 1950’s when they presented it to the National Trust for Scotland. The castle interiors are sumptuous, and the painted ceilings are not to be missed. A stroll in the fabulous historic walled gardens is a great way to relax, although, if your group is more active then you can swing through the forest canopy at “Go Ape”. And if you are lucky you may enjoy glimpses of roe deer or red squirrels when walking on the nature trails.
Burn O Vat
This natural feature, often described as a granite cauldron, is a meltwater pothole from a retreating ice sheet. A pleasant walk through native woodland brings you to it. Unless the river is running high, it is possible to enter “the Vat” using stepping stones in the river. You will be amazed by this massive open-roofed rock bowl and charmed by the waterfall which tumbles prettily into the back of the cauldron. Notorious outlaw, Patrick Gilroy MacGregor, used the Vat as his base, and we love sharing his story.
Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Lochnagar is the name of a nearby mountain. Indeed, in a poem by Lord Byron, he calls it dark Lochnagar. the mountain gives the distillery its name. Queen Victoria visited Lochnagar distillery in 1848, and is so impressed that she gives it the Royal Warrant. As a result it is one of only two distilleries allowed to use the word “Royal” in its name. The current distillery buildings date from 1906, and offer regular tours for visitors.
Crathie Kirk
Crathie has been a place of worship since the 9th century. Once Victoria and Albert bought Balmoral they worshiped here whenever in residence. So it was Victoria who laid the foundation stone of this new, larger and more beautiful church in 1893. Completed in 1895, Crathie is a triumph of Gothic revival style and is built of local granite with a Scots Pine roof.
Balmoral Castle
The Royal Family use Balmoral Castle as their Scottish summer residence. The old castle proved too small so Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built the current castle in 1856. We can visit Balmoral between April and July, after which it closes, as a result of the Queen’s arrival, in August. A visit to Balmoral gives access to the gift shop and cafe; the beautiful and extensive grounds and the ballroom.
Day Four – Braemar to Inverness – North East 250 – Four Day Tour
Braemar Castle
This is our alternative to Balmoral in the months of August to October, when the Royals are in residence on Deeside. The Earl of Mar built most of the current castle in the 1600’s, although the government added the surrounding wall while occupying the castle as a garrison fort; 1748 until 1831. A local community group now run Braemar castle and have opened it to the public since 2008.
Braemar
Braemar is an attractive and thriving community in upper Deeside. Our guests enjoy free time for a look around; a lunch and time for photos of the Clunie Water, cascading through the heart of the village.. There are lots of independent and boutique shops, and a good range of eating places. As a result of the Queen’s regular attendance, the Braemar Gathering (on the first Saturday in September) has become one of the most famous highland games in the world.
Corgarff Castle
Built in the 1500’s, Corgarff served first as a laird’s tower house, and then in the 1700’s it became a British army (or redcoat) barracks. The castle is particularly impressive as a result of its commanding position high on a hill in the Cairngorm National Park. It is particularly scenic in August because all of the heather on the surrounding hills turns purple. The open sweeping vistas here are a perfect counter to the well wooded lands of Royal Deeside behind.
Glenlivet Distillery
Glenlivet Distillery is on our return route, on the last day of our tour. They have been distilling whisky legally since 1824, so it is no wonder that they are so good at it. The distillery is nowadays owned by Pernod Ricard and apparently the “light-tasting spirit” is because of the tall, narrow necks of the stills.
Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens
This Castle has been the home of the MacPherson-Grant family since 1546. Ballindalloch make many of their rooms available to view, despite this being a family home. As a result we particular enjoy a visit to this castle known as “The Pearl of the North”. The magnificent gardens fill with colour and interest from Spring until Autumn. Ballindalloch has the oldest herd of Aberdeen-Angus Cattle in the world. Clare Russell, the present laird’s mother, is an author in her own right, having produced three acclaimed recipe books, and one charming book capturing the essence and culture of the people and places of Banffshire.
Walkers Shortbread
The preferred snack on many airlines, it is no surprise that Walker’s Shortbread is known the world over. We love taking people to visit the original Walker’s shop in Aberlour. Founded in 1898, it has been supplying people with tasty samples ever since.
Craigellachie Bridge
The famous civil engineer, Thomas Telford, built Craigellachie Bridge (between 1812 and 1815) to span the River Spey. It is the oldest surviving cast-iron bridge in Scotland and considered one of the finest in Britain. The poet laureate, Robert Southey, exclaimed that it was “beautifully light, in a situation where the utility of lightness is instantly perceived”.
Dallas
Dallas is a pretty one-street village in the Morayshire Hills. One of our guides had a lot of fun taking Ken Kercheval to visit it, because he played Cliff Barnes from “Dallas” the TV show. We also see the ruined remains of Dallas Castle.
North East 250 – Four Days – Price
£2320 for up to seven passengers for the four days. There will be a guide lodgings supplement of £450 for 2024.
North East 250 – Four Days – Departure
The tour departs from your Inverness accommodation, or any transport hub you prefer, like bus station, train station or airport. You tell us, and we’ll be there.
FAQ
What is the supplementary charge for our party if the guide requires an overnight?
Our guide lodgings fee is £150 per night away from home. This tour requires 3 nights away from home. This supplement is payable directly to the guide at the time the tour takes place.
Can each person in the party pay separately?
Driver/Guide licencing in Scotland will only allow us to take one payment per tour, so if people in a party wish to split the cost then they arrange that amongst themselves and make one tour payment to us.
Are entries to the various visitor attractions and distilleries included?
We don’t include entry to the attractions or distilleries – and that way we leave the day as flexible as possible for you.
Do I need to book any items in advance?
You will need to book any distilleries in advance, but we are happy to advise and assist you with this.
Can you book my accommodation for me?
Travel Industry regulations in the UK preclude us from “booking” your accommodation, but we are always more than happy to help and advise. We also have an accommodation page here, with some B & B and hotel ideas.
Will I need cash with me?
Most places will accept Visa or MasterCard and some will accept American Express. It is always prudent, though, to bring a little cash with you for unexpected eventualities. You will need GBP, not Euros or Dollars.
What will we be doing for lunch?
You are responsible for paying for your own food & drink during your tour. Lunch could be in a café, pub, restaurant or even a picnic at a beauty spot. Your guide can discuss and advise on options when you meet them.
What is your activity level?
Most of this tour is easy grade. Short walks, level ground. Be aware, though, that tours within castles sometimes involve many stairs. The stepping stones at Burn O Vat also require a greater amount of physical ability and balance.
Find all of our other FAQ’s here
Why Choose Us
Why Choose 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. They were chosen because they are great storytellers, are fun to be with, and are uniquely qualified to do what they do well. We are convinced that there is no better team of guides to be found. See their individual profiles here
Performance
Here at Inverness Tours we continually monitor performance. As a result we are confident that we offer long experience and expertise in providing quality, value and enjoyment.
Our Vehicles
Our vehicles are spacious and air conditioned, easily accommodating up to seven passengers. The reclining seats and tinted windows ensure touring in comfort and style.
Our Track Record
Inverness Tours has been taking visitors on world-class tours for more than fifteen years and has been striving to make its exclusive tour business the finest of its kind available in Scotland.
Our Customer Care
The Inverness Tours admin team are frequently complimented on responsiveness, flexibility and care.
Our Environment
Inverness Tours have offset the impact of visitor footfall in the Highlands by contributing financially to environmental and community projects.
Our Precautions
Our COVID19 precautions – Inverness Tours has always carried bacteriological and virucidal disinfectant sprays, disposable gloves and the necessary wipes etc. The vehicles are cleaned on a daily basis. We are investigating and instituting further measures to keep you safe at this current time and into the future.
Our Reviews
All the above contribute to our fabulous back-catalogue of reviews. Check out the TripAdvisor reviews here. You will find that over 98% of our reviews are five-star and as a result we have achieved TripAdvisor’s annual Certificate of Excellence and placement in their Hall of Fame!
What’s included?
The 7-passenger vehicle together with qualified driver/guide is included.
Summary terms and conditions:-
- All tours are exclusive and the same price for between one and seven people. Your booking is considered confirmed once we send out your confirmation.
- While Inverness Tours shall do everything reasonably possible to provide your tour itinerary and/or services as planned, we reserve the right to alter itineraries, guide, transport or accommodation if circumstances require us to do so. If we have to cancel a tour you receive a full refund of the amount paid and that is the extent of our obligation.
- Our normal Cancellation Terms as outlined in the point below have been temporarily relaxed. The relaxation is in relation to any booking which requires to cancel due to COVID-19. Our COVID-19 cancellation terms are outlined here.
- If you wish to change any part of your confirmed booking you should inform us in writing as soon as possible. We will do our best to assist you, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request. If you cancel a booking up to 30 days in advance you receive a 75% refund of the total paid. Cancellations between 30 and 10 days before the tour receive a 50% refund. There is no refund if you cancel within 10 days of the tour or are not at the organised departure or pick-up point.
- We are happy for you to enjoy bottled water and hard candies while we travel. Other types of food and drink have proved previously to be quite hazardous (on Highland roads) both to yourselves and seat upholstery.
See our full terms and conditions here