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Ballindalloch and other castles
Known as the "Pearl of the North", this romantic castle
near Aberlour dates back to 1546 and has been the home of the
MacPherson-Grant family ever since. The Spey and Avon rivers flow
through the beautiful grounds, and the magnificent Aberdeen Angus
herd is descended from Scottish cattle of the 12th century (open
Mar-Sep).
Other nearby sites worth seeing include the ruins
of Balvenie Castle at Dufftown, and Brodie Castle with its fine
interior and gardens near Forres (both open Apr-Sep). The "Castle
Trail" takes in 11 castles and great houses in the Speyside
and Grampian region, among them Haddo House, a magnificent 18th-century
home designed by William Adam, and the reputedly haunted Fyvie
Castle near Turriff.
www.castlesandwhisky.com
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Elgin
Some 10 miles from Aberlour, the royal burgh of Elgin has a number
of fine 18th-century buildings and the impressive ruins of its former
cathedral. Also in ruins is the castle, thought to be the place
where Macbeth murdered King Duncan. Pluscarden Abbey, a 13th-century
monastery restored by Benedictine monks, is open throughout the
year. |
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Further Afield
Slightly further afield is the "Granite City" of Aberdeen
and the so-called capital of the Highlands, Inverness. Both have
a wide range of traditional and cultural attractions. Or you can
go on a monster hunt to Loch Ness, or visit the nearby battlefield
of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's hopes and army were savagely
crushed in 1746. |
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