Aberdeen (30 minutes): The Granite City and Europe’s Oil Capital.  Attractions include: Old Aberdeen and St Machar’s Cathedral, dolphin spotting in the harbour, The Maritime Museum, refurbished Art Gallery, Duthie Park and Winter Gardens, His Majesty’s Theatre (regular touring West End shows), all the shops, restaurants and cinemas you would expect.
 

Dundee (45 minutes): “Dynamic” Dundee earned a place in the Lonely Planet’s “Best in Europe 2018” list and is fast becoming one of the must-see cultural hubs in Scotland.  The V&A Dundee, Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, McManus Art Gallery, University of Dundee Museum Collections, the RRS Discovery among other attractions.

Hillwalking and hiking:  There are many walking routes in the Mearns and beyond.

Glen Esk: Blue Door Walk to the Rocks of Solitude (www.walkhighlands.co.uk/angus) is a stunning amble upstream along the river North Esk.  The entire walk is approximately 6.5miles.

Clachnaben: A stunning drive over the Cairn O'Mount takes you to the car park just beyond Glen Dye from which you can ascent Clachnaben. Wonderful views and a moderate 2-3 hour hike.

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Children: Camperdown Country Park (Dundee) has good off-road mountain biking trails as well as plenty of other things for families to enjoy such as an adventure playground, a wildlife centre and pitch ’n’ putt golf.  Kartstart (Indoor Karting in Aberdeen), The Stratosphere (science centre in Aberdeen). Go Ape! (Banchory), Cadonas (indoor and outdoor amusement park in Aberdeen), The Royal Deeside Railway (Banchory), the Olympia swimming pools with four different flumes (Dundee), Halymyres riding stables (Stonehaven). Pony trekking at Drumtochty and Lunan Bay. Not to mention Wild Swimming in the Esk!

Fishing: We are within 30-60 minutes of famous salmon rivers Dee, Tay and North Esk.

Golf: On our doorstep for all abilities, ranging from Auchenblae Community course to local clubs such as Edzell, Stonehaven, Brechin and Montrose to the Royal Aberdeen Golf Course, and Trump International Golf Links (Aberdeen).

Beaches: St Cyrus (sand), Lunan Bay (sand), Inverbervie (pebbles).  Dogs are welcome on these beaches. All less than 20 minutes away, and Lunan Bay (sand) is 40 minutes away.

Historical Interest: The Grassic Gibbon Centre & Cafe in Arbuthnott, Arbuthnott Church, Glamis Castle (childhood home of the late HM The Queen Mother, nr Forfar), Dunnottar Castle (nr Stonehaven), Crathes Castle (Banchory), Brechin Castle (Brechin), Balmoral (Braemar), Hospitalfield House (Arbroath), House of Dun (Montrose), Edzell Castle and Gardens, Invermark Castle, Dunninald Castle and Gardens, Kineff Old Church (where the Scottish Crown Jewels were hidden during Cromwell's siege of Dunottar Castle).

Local Distilleries and Breweries to visit:

Old Fettercairn, Fettercairn (whisky), Burnside Brewery, Laurencekirk, and Brewdog HQ, Ellon.
The award-winning Gin Bothy (Kirriemuir) do tours as do Porter’s Gin (Aberdeen), The Lost Loch Distillery (Aboyne).

Cycling: The National Cycle Route 1 from Edinburgh to Aberdeen passes straight through Inverbervie. Twenty minutes up the road is the Montrose Basin cycle trail  (distance 17.14 km on road terrain.) We also recommend the Drumtochty mountain bike trail, the Deeside Way and cycling on the trails on nearby Finzean Estate.

Eating Out: Right on your doorstep is the Grassic Gibbon Centre Cafe. Local farms shops such as Balmakewan (Marykirk) or Castleton (Fordoun) to slightly further afield Finzean Farm Shop & Cafe (Finzean); pubs such as The Roebuck (Fettercairn), The Ship Inn or Marine Hotel (Stonehaven), The Anchor Inn (Johnshaven), The Drovers (Memus); fine seafood dining at The Tolbooth (Stonehaven); or award-winning fish and chips at The Bay (Stonehaven) or The Quayside (Gourdon); Australian-themed burgers at Roo’s Leap (Montrose).  All of the main chains are also available in Aberdeen.