Enjoy a romantic break at Fridayhill where we offer unique and comfortable accommodation in a tranquil, picturesque setting in rural Aberdeenshire. This is the ideal location for exploring the Castle and Whisky trails, visiting stone circles, touring Royal Deeside and marvelling at our magnificent varied coastline. We are just 12 miles from Aberdeen city and 8 miles from the airport.

With its delightful gardens, Fridayhill is a luxurious Scottish country home influenced in the Norwegian and Canadian styles following periods when our families lived in both countries. You are assured of a warm welcome, excellent accommodation and a relaxing holiday.

	You may choose from a double room with four poster bed, dressing room and en suite shower room or a double room with private bathroom (including shower).
The beautifully designed rooms have welcome trays, hairdryers, duvets, electric blankets and few little extras to make your stay more comfortable.

For evening relaxation, choose between the cosy wood panelled study with extensive library or elegant drawing room with log fire on chilly evenings.

Guests are welcome to roam and spend time in our beautiful garden which features rockeries, fish ponds in a Japanese setting, herbaceous borders and mature trees or you may just want to sit and watch the many wild birds that visit here.

TARIFF Bed and Breakfast costs from £30. Starting with fresh seasonal fruit and yoghurt, a continental or full Scottish breakfast is generally served at 8.30am or at other times by arrangement. Credit cards accepted No smoking Open all year.

Fridayhill is just 12 miles north-west of Aberdeen, only 8 miles from the airport and 4 miles from Inverurie. Click here for a map to print out so you can find us when you come to stay.

We don't provide evening meals, but we can give you an idea of some of our favourite places to eat out for lunch and dinner in the local area:

• The Northern Lights at Hatton of Fintray
• Bugles Cafe Bar, Inverurie
• J.G. Ross, Inverurie
• Bonani Indian Restaurant, Inverurie
• The Muffin & Crumpet, Udny Station

Below is a brief outline of some of the many things to do and see in this region. Many events take place throughout the year so be sure to visit the local tourist centres for the latest information brochures and lists of what's on.

With unique architecture, museums, art gallery and wonderful promenade close to the busy commercial port, Aberdeen, 'The Granite City' and oil capital of Europe is just 12 miles from us.

The city offers a wealth of historic sights including the Provost Skene's House (pictured left) dating from 1545 and the Provost Ross' House, now the maritime museum. St. Andrew's Cathedral hosts the Seabury memorial commemorating the first Bishop of the USA, while impressive St. Machar's dates from the 15th century, and Aberdeen's third cathedral, St. Mary's is a Gothic revival Roman Catholic place of worship, one of the tallest buildings in the city.

Be sure to take a walk along the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen and pay a visit to King's College Chapel and the adjacent visitor centre which relates the story of the University's long history. You may be lucky to see a wedding at the chapel or a parade by the local pipe band. For those interested in their own historical connections to the area, visit the Aberdeen and North East Family History Society which is located in King Street.

Fridayhill is right at the heart of the Castle Trail so all you have to do is get your camera and follow the signposts on this circular route!

Fyvie Castle is open daily from April to September, plus weekends in October. The grounds and lake can be visited throughout the year. Now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, its 5 towers bear witness to the 5 families who lived here over some 500 years of its history.

Castles Fraser, Drum and Crathes are also open during the tourist season, together with the Georgian mansion of Haddo House, and Leith Hall and Garden. On Royal Deeside, the Queen's summer residence of Balmoral is usually open to the public until the end of July before the Royal Family come to stay. Nearby Braemar Castle is yet another popular one to visit.

Dunnottar Castle by the picturesque port of Stonehaven, 15 miles south of Aberdeen, is also well worth a trip (open all year, but not weekends in wintertime). Overlooking the North Sea, this 14th century castle and associated buildings cover 3 acres on their clifftop plateau. This spectacular setting was used in Mel Gibson's movie Hamlet and is an ideal place for bird watching.

Aberdeen is renowned as multiple winner of 'City in Bloom' for its beautiful floral displays. It is well worth visiting the Winter Gardens (the largest indoor collection in Europe) and the 11 acres of Cruickshank Botanic Gardens at the University. Not to mention BBC TV's Beechgrove Garden and many more in and around the city.

The National Trust has restored the Great Garden of Pitmedden which was originally created around 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. Open daily from May to September, this 100-acre estate also includes the Museum of Farming Life, woodland walks, tea room and visitor centre.

Crathes Castle has a lovely walled garden, Leith Hall has delightful formal and informal gardens, and Drum Castle has a magnificent collection of historic roses. Not to be missed!

In the Grampian Highlands there are around 100 ancient places with some thought to be up to 5000 years old. There are several within a short distance of Fridayhill including the Easter Aquhorthies recumbent stone circle where Neolithic farmers observed the moon and performed fertility rituals, Loanhead of Daviot which has a cremation cemetery within a recumbent stone circle, and the carved Pictish monument known as the Maiden Stone.

Be sure to visit the Archaeolink prehistory park at Oyne village, just 12 miles from us, as you will find out all you need for your own tailor-made trail around Aberdeenshire's ancient monuments. Through video, special effects and hands on artefacts, this award-winning centre tells the story of the people who lived here over 6000 years ago. Indoors there are interactive display areas and the Myths and Legends Gallery (see photo), outdoors you can visit a working Iron Age farm.

Just a selection of the many interesting ones to visit locally:

• Lighthouse Museum at Kinnaird Head (Fraserburgh)
• Gordon Highlanders Museum, history of the famous regiment (Aberdeen)
• Little Treasures - dolls house museum and shop (Kenmay)
• Duff House Country House Gallery - premier outstation of the National Galleries of Scotland housed in this magnificent baroque mansion (Banff)
• Grampian Transport Museum (Alford)

For golf enthusiasts, the acclaimed Newmachar International Golf Course is just 10 minutes away with other courses at Cruden Bay, Inverurie, Oldmeldrum, Kemnay, Kintore, Peterculter, Aberdeen, etc. all within easy reach. Fishing permits can be obtained in Inverurie for fishing on the Rivers Don and Ury.

With its rural roads and relatively low rainfall, Aberdeenshire is ideal for cycling. There are options for off-road cycling and mountain biking too.

Whether you prefer a gentle stroll or the challenge of tackling Britain's second highest mountain (Ben Macdui), this area has a great variety to offer including way-marked trails, woodland walks and miles of beautiful sands. We are a short drive from the picturesque Dee and Don river valleys with excellent walking in Strathdon. A popular walk near us is from the Bennachie centre - just ask us for directions. A booklet full of different walks in the Grampian region can be obtained from any of the local tourist offices.

For wildlife lovers, 13 miles miles from us is Newburgh beach where you can watch the seals basking and swimming in the estuary or visit the bird sanctuary. There are many local wildlife trails and nature reserves including one at Forvie which is the largest sand dune system in Britain and is internationally renowned for its wildlife. The Loch of Strathbeg is Scotland's largest land-locked lagoon - look out for the geese!