Delgatie Castle near Turriff leads a new life thanks to the diligent care of Captain John Hay of Delgatie, laird extraordinary, promoter and ambassador for Clan Hay. Six-and-a-half feet tall, he wore the kilt every day in life, and died in recent years at 91. The castles boasts a coffee shop within the walls — and don’t miss custodian Mrs Joan Johnston’s home baking!

Grampian Transport Museum Pride of place among ancient fire appliances, military vehicles, snowplough, traction engines and smooth limousines is the Craigievar Express, a wood-and-metal contraption powered through a vertical-boilered steam engine, invented and built by Postie Lawson for his daily round near Craigievar Castle.

Aquhorthies Field of the small circle is what this curious name means (pronounce it "Ah-whawrthies"). This "small circle" (it’s actually over 60 feet in diameter, and consists of nine erect stones) is one of the finest examples of a well-preserved stone circle anywhere in the UK.

Archaeolink Archaeolink is Scotland’s pre-history park, an orientation point to Grampian’s heritage of ancient stones. Computer technology allows you to make up your own personal pre-history trail round the best sites, as well as supplying a print-out of how to get there. When you do, it’s a sobering experience to realise that in our Second Millenium, some of the recumbent circles have already celebrated a fourth.

What Life is Like Here Things to See and Do Your Day Out Essential Walking