Grampian Escapes

13/06/2024

It was an atmospheric visit to Culloden Battlefield recently. Dramatic skies and a lone piper playing at the monument all added to the landscape.

02/06/2024

We had a fabulous group on tour last Friday, and we were delighted to have our morning elevenses at Coastal Cuppie at Pennan. A ginger tea and slice of lemon drizzle cake for me and plenty of laughs, too. One Pennan resident helped to teach our guests a bit of Doric. The phrase "haud yer wheest" was uttered more than once! 🤣

26/05/2024

The rose garden at Crathes is starting to look beautiful, and the blooms are ready to burst in the next few days. We are so lucky to have gorgeous gardens to visit with our guests.

22/05/2024

The misty days are sure adding a sense of drama and mystery to our tours. Jamie had a "four seasons in a day" kind of tour along the coast.

19/05/2024

We occasionally get questions about long stay parking from guests who are joining us on tour but their hotel is outside the city. Our meeting point is at the William Wallace Statue at Union Terrace Gardens. For many this is walkable from most city hotels, however, if you are joining us from further away there are a couple of options.

There are two public car parks which offer longer stay parking: Denburn Car Park (AB25 1PU) or College Street Car Park (AB11 6FD). Payment is by card or the parking app PaybyPhone.

Alternatively, the bus station and train station next to Union Square is about a 15 minute walk from our meeting point. Bus routes and schedules from outside the city can be found at Stagecoach and within the city it's First Bus.

Be sure to give yourself a little extra time when parking so you are not rushing. And as always, if you think your are going to be late, do phone ahead so we know!

17/05/2024

It's Friday and we've had a beautiful week with warm sunny temperatures making us think Summer is near! We have another great video to share with you, this time it takes in our stunning Aberdeenshire Coastline.

You can find all our videos on our YouTube Channel!

12/05/2024

I had the pleasure of hosting a group from the USA for a city walking food tour on one of the best spring days so far! The crew from The Fibrer Garden are on their way to Shetland for a week and made the most of their time in Aberdeen. This was the 3rd year we've been walking and eating our way through the heart of Aberdeen.

Thank you to .2 & for welcoming us again.

10/05/2024

A stunning day on Royal Deeside and a stop at the Falls of Feugh near Banchory. A cascade of water that joins the river Dee. The fresh spring green looking lush against the dark granite.

03/05/2024

Balmoral Castle will be opening its door this weekend. We have loved visiting, even during the delayed opening, but are also looking to seeing our guests coming back from their exploration on the estate and hearing their stories.

30/04/2024

Taking 5 minutes to chat about the harbour and the seal who was popping up along the quayside. 🦭 Some of the group enjoyed a tasty fish & chip lunch at the Dolphin Cafe, while others ventured into town.

23/04/2024

There is a lot to like about being a tour guide, but it's always tempting to try the cakes, ice cream, and cafes when we are out on tour. Today, I managed to stick with a cappuccino.Then, as a flurry of rain arrived, I took shelter under the bridge and found a host of calthemites.

18/04/2024

It's a bit damp and breezy today, and we only spotted the Puffins floating in the sea. But we did spot a seal rolling about the shallows.

16/04/2024

We are excited to share a new video created for us to help illustrate what we do and who we are. You can listen to the dulcet tones of Jamie as he takes you on a short journey through Aberdeen and explains what makes a tour with Grampian Escapes a special experience.

When planning a trip to Scotland, be sure to include the northeast too. Aberdeenshire is a fantastic part of Scotland which is still relatively unexplored, ...

09/04/2024

I was out enjoying a quiet stroll through the woods near Balmoral today. There is something about the fresh air, woodsy scent, and green colour pallet that restores the soul.

07/04/2024

It's a bonny but breezy day for Jamie and his guests on tour through the Cairngorms National Park to Inverness. Hold on to your hats!

04/04/2024

Early spring tours mean we have to be ready to go come rain or shine. Sadly, this week has been raining, but that doesn't stop our intrepid guests! The beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside is worth a few soggy boots and jackets.

01/04/2024

We are delighted to share with you the charity we have chosen to support with our Wildlife & Habitat fund, for 2024 it is the Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit based in Gardenstown! The village is a highlight on our Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire Tour and now we can talk about the work the unit does, and occasionally we'll see them out at sea or in the harbour too.

Cetacean Research & Rescue Unit

Join us in protecting Scotland's Natural Heritage with our Wildlife & Habitat Fund, by adding £1 to your tour booking.

29/03/2024

It was a picture-perfect setting at Gardenstown today. What a glorious start to the tour season, and happy guests too.

23/03/2024

We were out and about yesterday doing some filming for upcoming new videos. It's exciting to be doing something new and awkward going around talking to a camera. I am sure in time we will all become more confident. You'll be able to see us coming from a distance in our new blue jackets. 🤣

17/03/2024

St Mary’s Kirk at Auchindoir is a rare survival and in such a stunning location. Although built simply, like other parish churches of this date, it preserves some fine architectural details. It is believed St Mary's dates from the late 13th century.

14/03/2024

We have been working on developing a new tour for 2024, and we are excited to share our latest addition to the line up! We are so lucky to have a large collection of items which stem from an ancient civilisation, the Picts. The University of Aberdeen has done some tremendous work and research into this time period and we are uncovering more of their story all the time.

Join us on this unique tour around Aberdeenshire, following in the footsteps of the Ancient Picts and their legacies which remain.

09/03/2024

We visited Fraserburgh recently and stopped at Bruce's paint shop to admire the famous wall. For many... many... years, paintbrushes have been cleaned against this wall, turning it into an ever-changing canvas. Situated at the dry docks where vessels and equipment are being painted and made ready for work.

27/02/2024

Our Jamie has been working on a series of videos for his YouTube channel- A Path Less Known. He was interviewed for BBC Radio Scotland this morning. If you were looking for a reason to join us on our Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire Tour, then Jamie just might persuade you? Who is excited to go on tour!

25/02/2024

We were out on a team development day and managed to get one of the last "behind the scenes " tours of the season at Castle Fraser. This is how we keep our tours interesting. By looking for something unique, we can then share with our guests. It just so happens the snowdrops are up and making the gardens affa bonnie!

22/02/2024

How brilliant is it that Aberdeen has a large beach and promenade to walk along? Only a 20-minute walk from the city centre and you can feel the sea breeze and catch your breath with salty air.

19/02/2024

We were out exploring parts of Aberdeenshire not often visited by tour groups, and it was brilliant. On the route, we visited the village of Rhynie to experience the Crawstane with its Pictish carving and Tap o' Noth, which was once home to a large settlement. Spring was in the air, and we had the best day!

14/02/2024

The best way to start your day is with a great coffee and sausage roll.

Whenever possible, take time to enjoy a moment of pleasure. Whether that is listening to the sound of bird song, the fragrance of cut grass, or a freshly brewed coffee

Have a great day.


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12/02/2024

This is our Dream Team!

Our incredible team of tour guides recently embarked on a training day adventure along the picturesque Royal Deeside and Balmoral Estate.

As we gear up for the start of the new tour season, our guides are dedicated to ensuring your experience with Grampian Escapes & Tours is nothing short of extraordinary. From uncovering hidden gems to sharing fascinating insights about Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, they're here to make your journey unforgettable.

Stay tuned for some exciting updates as we prepare to kick off the new season. And remember, when you choose Grampian Escapes & Tours, you're not just booking a trip, you're embarking on an adventure with the best guides in the business.

09/02/2024

It was a blustery afternoon with high seas, making Stonehaven Harbour a tricky place to be. It was a very dramatic scene with the waves crashing over the sea wall, but we were able to enjoy the spectacle from a safe distance and kept our feet dry. 🌊

06/02/2024

One of the things our guide Jacqueline likes best about sharing Aberdeenshire with so many guests every year, is the variety of things to see and do. Whether you love walking through ancient Calendonia pine forest, doing a bit of wildlife spotting or being battered by the wind along the coast, you can experience it all.

We all know the weather is changeable in Scotland, in fact it is a running joke! As we say, there is no bad weather, just poor clothing. One thing that visitors don't expect, is we do get sun and it can actually be rather warm.

We try to make sure we take our time and enjoy our surroundings, take in the peace and tranquility. You can escape from the busy world and connect with the people and landscape of Aberdeenshire. So many people comment "they never expected Aberdeenshire to be as wonderful as it is" and that is a reason why we do tours.