Highland heat, whisky warmth, and castles in the clouds
Scotland knows how to do romance. From its rugged cliffs and cosy whisky tastings, to towering castle ruins that seem straight out a fantasy epic. In Aberdeenshire, the views are cinematic, and every couple can find their own kind of fairytale.
Start high up, at Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven. Perched on a cliff edge above the North Sea, this ruined fortress starred in Franco Zeffirelli’s Hamlet and inspired Disney’s Brave. With its blood-stained past and windswept views, it’s romance wrapped in drama. Walk the coastal path at sunset and let history do the heavy lifting.
In Aberdeen, culture pulses through the granite streets, and the Aberdeen Art Gallery is its beating heart. Fresh from a major revamp and free to enter, this Victorian gem blends old-school elegance with cutting-edge creativity. Inside, visitors will find everything from Joan Eardley’s wild Scottish seascapes to Monet’s dreamlike brushstrokes and Tracey Emin’s modern edge. Don’t miss the rooftop café, where one can sip coffee with sweeping views over the city’s rooftops – a scenic pause between gallery-hopping and exploring Aberdeen’s buzzing cultural scene.
Then step into something out of folklore at Castle Fraser – a 15th-century tower house wrapped in woodlands and walled gardens made for romantic walks and picnics. Inside, it’s all sweeping staircases, creaking floorboards, and rooms packed with period treasures. Come autumn, the castle takes on an even more atmospheric edge, with seasonal events like spooky Halloween Trails, and leaf-crunching walks through fiery-red woodlands.
For something more indulgent, Bothies and Bannocks’ Royal Whisky and Cheese Tour provides genuine Scottish flavours. This private, guided experience takes couples through small-batch distilleries and artisan cheesemakers, mixing pairings with stories of whisky smugglers and Highland traditions.
Want to swap marble foyers for fresh air and fire pits? Visitors can try Down on the Farm in Rosehearty. This off-grid glamping site offers hand-built cabins with coastal views and more chickens than guests. Stay in a restored railway carriage or a cosy shepherd’s hut and wake to sunrise over the Moray Firth. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, but are not unusual either.
Round off the escape with Highland luxury at The Fife Arms in Braemar. Created by art-world heavyweights Hauser & Wirth, this five-star hotel mixes Victorian opulence with Scottish charm. Every room tells a story, and the grounds invite wild romance: picture stargazing safaris, foraging with local experts, or wild swimming under open skies with the Cairngorms National Park as a backdrop.
