This area, the southernmost of Grampian Highlands and today part of Aberdeenshire, is one of great diversity encompassing the land immortalised by the author Lewis Grassic Gibbon, fishing villages along the Coastal Trail, stunning highland scenery and the valley of the River Dee much loved by generations of the Royal Family.
The entire former County of Kincardine was once referred to as "the Mearns" but the term is more accurately used to describe the area of rich red sandstone soil, farming and coastal communities between the river North Esk and the hills of the Mounth - the southern barrier of the Grampian mountains.
This southern gateway has much to offer the visitor: St Cyrus is the location of 227 acres of National Nature Reserve with a wide variety of coastal habitats including cliffs, sand dunes and saltmarsh. Further up the coast the Royal Burgh of Inverbervie lies at the mouth of the Bervie Water; Inverbervie's most famous son was Hercules Linton a brilliant designer and builder of sailing vessels, his best known being the Cutty Sark Tea Clipper.
River Dee
Nearby Gourdon still has some dependance on the sea and walkers will enjoy the coastal route between the two communities. Within easy striking distance of these villages are a number of fascinating attractions. Kinneff Church is a former sanctuary for Scotland's Crown jewels, Arbuthnott Church is another interesting local church and Mill of Benholm is a working watermill and visitor centre.The Grassic Gibbon Centre at Arbuthnott is dedicated to the author who so vividly portayed life in this part of the North East Scotland.
Laurencekirk is the principal town in the Howe of Mearns and a good base for touring Lewis Grassic Gibbon country as is the distinctive village of Fettercairn with its Gothic Arch and red sandstone houses. Fettercairn Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and Fasque, home of the Gladstone family, is one of the attractions on the Victorian Heritage trail which links sites associated with the Queen who did so much to popularise Grampian as a holiday destination.
There can be few places in Scotland where the contradt between fertile lowland and rugged highland scenery is so evident. Following the B974 Fettercairn to Banchory road, one can get a superb vantage point over the Mearns from the Cairn O'Mount viewpoint. The coastal town of Stonehaven is a fine gateway to Royal Deeside and is in itself an ideal base for a seaside holiday.
The harbour is one of the most attractive in Scotland and the history of the town and its fishing fleet is featured in the Tolbooth Museum. The town is also famous for its heated outdoor swimming pool and cliff top golf course but perhaps the most celebrated attraction locally is Dunnottar Castle in its magnificent cliff-top location just south of the town. The RSPB Seabird colony at Fowlsheugh is the largest in mainland Britain and can also be reached by boat trip from Stonehaven.
Balmoral Castle
The Dee, one of the world's most famous salmon rivers rises high in the Cairngorm Mountains and flows through the wooded river valley to enter the sea at Aberdeen. The Linn of Dee just west of Braemar is a local beauty spot and the village, famous for its annual Highland Gathering, is the eastern gateway to the Cairngorm mountains.
Scottish Country Dancing
at The Highland Games
To the south, accessible from Britain's highest main road is the Glenshee ski area whilst at the village the Braemar Highland Heritage Centre and Braemar Castle are well worth visiting.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first visited this area in 1848 and a few years later the new Balmoral Castle had become the retreat for her and succeeding monarchs. Royal Lochnagar Distilery and Crathie Kirk are popular attractions in an area which is also ideal territory for walkers and naturalists. The Loch Muick and Lochnagar Wildlife Reserve is one of the finest locations in the country to see Red Deer in its natural habitat.
Nowhere in the region is the Royal connection more evident than in Ballater where shops and businesses proudly display their "By Appointment" signs. Set in magnificent scenery, Ballater has a popular golf course, fine walks and a wealth of accommodation and eating-out establishments.
Ballater
East of the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve lies the attractive village of Aboyne with its extensive green where the famous Highland Games is held.
The beautiful Glen Tanar Estate and Braeloine Interpretative Centre is nearby and to the north is the Lumphanan Peel Ring and Tomnaverie Stone Circle. The Queen's View near Tarland is one of the finest views in the North-East and in the lower valley of the Dee nestles Banchory. It is a popular centre for fishing enthusiasts and walkers, a favourite stroll being down to the Bridge of Feugh to see salmon leaping. Nearby is Crathes Castle with its outstanding gardens and further towards Aberdeen is Drum Castle, a lesser known gem with a garden of historic roses.
This part of Grampian Highlands captivated Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and today's visitors are equally enchanted by the beguiling mix of high mountains, coniferous forests, delightful villages and farmlands stretching to the sea.
