Aboyne - On the Dee between Ballater and Banchory. Pleasantly situated amid pine woods, and noted for its bracing air. The village has a green on which the Aboyne Games are held every Autumn. The massive castle is largely 17th century, and built on the site of a much older structure. Pleasant walks in Glen Tanar.

Alford - Village under the Correen Hills where in the Civil War General Baillie was defeated by the Marquis of Montrose. It has a transport museum, celebrating the Great North Scotland Railway.

Ballater - One of the chief resorts of the Dee Valley, owing its origin to the discovery of curative waters at Pannanich. The town is an excellent centre for exploring Glen Muick, Glen Tullich, Glen Gairn and the banks of the Dee. Balmoral Castle is nearby.

Banchory - A Deeside village surrounded by heather which is locally distilled. There is a viewing platform to help visitors see salmon leaping.

Banff - A very old seaport and resort at the mouth of the Deveron in Banff Bay, dating from the 14th century. Boswell and Johnson stayed a night in the town during their Highland tour. Remains of a Royal Castle. Town museum. Sandy beaches and sailing. Duff House is classicly designed 18th century mansion. Across the Deveron is Macduff, which possesses a fine harbour.

Buckie - Small fishing port to the east of Lossiemouth. It has a chapel dedicated to seamen lost at sea, and a maritime museum.

Huntly - The seat of the barbarous Earls of Huntly, who exhibited the orphans of their vanquished enemies feeding like pigs from a trough. The town is frequently mentioned in ballads. The ruins of the Castle are on the site of Strathbogie Castle, the seat of the Gordons. Museum and falconry centre.

Insch - Village to the west of Inverurie. A variety of ancient sculptured stones can be found in the area. A conical hill nearby has a 16th century castle on top.

Inverurie - To the north west of Aberdeen. Country town with paper making industry, in a farming area. Town is a Royal Burgh. The surrounding area has a wealth of stone circles and monuments. There is a town museum.

Macduff - Fishing port and resort on the north Aberdeen coast, close to Banff. Fishing nets are manufactured here. The name of the town comes from a member of the family of the Earls of Fife, James Duff.

Peterhead - Most easterly town in Scotland and fishing port with a major harbour was formerly an important whaling and sea fishing station. Granite is quarried here, and the town is largely built of this stone. The '15' Rising started here, for it was here that the Old Pretender, James Stuart, landed on Christmas Day, 1715. Good local museum. Important servicing centre for the North Sea Oil rigs.