9 years ago Aberdeenshire Tours was born. It's been a fantastic experience showing visitors around this amazing part of Scotland that I am lucky enough to call home. I have met some wonderful people and made friends for life. My first guests were from Reykjavik, Iceland and they have been returning every year since, bringing various family members with them, now life long friends.

Coopers are experienced barrel makers who construct and repair whisky barrels which is back-breaking work. Coopers are often paid by results, so the more they make, the better their pay. The fastest time to make a 190 litre whisky barrel in Scotland is 3 minutes and 3.18 seconds, set by David McKenzie at Speyside Cooperage in 2017. He assembled the cask from 28 staves and metal hoops, beating his colleagues in a competition.

My first two tours of 2026 have been with folk visiting Scotland for the first time. It is so nice to be able to share just a snippet of what the North East of Scotland has to offer. First was a group of four from Pennsylvania in Aberdeen for a day from the Viking Vela cruise ship and the second was a couple from Tennessee one of whom was celebrating a special birthday. Custom tours were created for them and everyone enjoyed their time.

Newburgh Beach, Aberdeenshire, Scotland is one of the best places in the UK to see Harbour and Grey Seals. These animals arrive in large numbers to give birth and relax on the banks of the Ythan Estuary where they are protected. They share this idyllic spot with one of the largest Eider Duck colonies in Europe and co-exist there in harmony. There is an excellent viewing platform on the opposite bank from which to watch without disturbing the seals, ducks and numerous other

Preparing for the new 2026 season I have reflected on the past few years of touring to fantastic places with wonderful people. I am blessed to be a Scot and to live in beautiful Scotland. Dramatic Highland scenery, beautiful beaches, impressive castles and wonderful wildlife, all on my doorstep. It's so enjoyable sharing just a part of my Scotland with my guests.

Oh michty me, what a spell of wet weather we've been having here in the North East corner of Scotland. It's the worst since records began. So much so, I have just been interviewed on national radio about this, and put a positive slant on it. It's a good job we have a sense of humour living in the north. I'm using my time to build an Ark whilst hoping for drier days. That said, our skin is waterproof and I actually enjoy walking in the rain if I'm wearing the correct clothi

Robert Burns was born on the 25th of January 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, one of seven children. Known as Rabbie Burns, he is Scotland's national poet and is known throughout the world for capturing Scotland's culture, love and nature in his poems and songs such as "Auld Lang Syne", "A Red, Red Rose" and "Tam o' Shanter" . His legacy lives on at Burns Suppers (Burns night celebrations) annually on the on The Bard's birthday, when folk gather, dressed in tartan, to

Bennachie and The Picts Bennachie is a range of hills in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. One of the peaks, Mither Tap, has the remains of a Pictish Fort, dating around the 7th – 8th Century. It is one of Scotland’s most impressive early fortifications. The panoramic view from the Fort made it an excellent site from which to watch for advancing invaders. Pictish people were descendants of the iron age people and are believed to have tattooed or painted their bodies. They were named P

"Coo" is a Scottish word for "cow". Hairy Coos, Heilin' Cattle, Highland Cows Highland Cattle are the oldest registered breed in the world. Synonymous with Scotland, the hairy coo shares its notoriety with Nessie the Loch Ness Monster, the unicorn- Scotland’s national animal and the dreaded midge which is a wee sleekit gnat and the bane of every outdoor person’s life. The Heilin' Coo originated in the Highlands of Scotland and on the Western Isles. They are easily recognis

Aberdeenshire in the North East of Scotland has over 165 miles of amazing coastline, ranging from pristine, golden sands, pebble beaches, hidden bays, dramatic cliffs and lovely nature reserves. Wonderful wildlife can be seen too, including beautiful birds, seals, dolphins and even whales, with the occasional Orca. And....there's treasure! Sea glass can be found by the eagle-eyed. Over many years, this glass was discarded into the sea from ships and from old seaside villag