Huntly, Alford and Inverurie
The historic district of Gordon contains some fine walking country. The most popular routes are around and on Bennachie, a hill ridge that makes up in character what it lacks in height with the landmark peak of the Mither Tap. Here is only one of the region's many iron-age hilltop forts, many providing superb views over the surrounding countryside, all threaded by the beautiful River Don. The countryside changes here, with the heather-clad hills of Strathdon upriver around Alford, and rich farmland stretching away to the east.
Further north the historic town of Huntly is the focus with its ruined castle - just one of many dotted across the area. East from Bennachie are the towns Inverurie and Ellon, with the coastline beyond. Here there are huge stretches of sandy beach reaching south to Aberdeen and north into Buchan, backed by massive dunes.
