10 Days of Castles, Whisky & Highland Adventure at Kincardine Castle
If your idea of a Scottish getaway involves sweeping countryside, whisky by the fire, historic castles and just enough adventure to keep things interesting, a stay at Kincardine Castle in Aberdeenshire ticks a lot of boxes.
Designed with a group of around 20 guests in mind, this ten-day itinerary blends traditional Scottish pursuits with outdoor adventures, cultural excursions and plenty of time to enjoy the castle itself. Think horse riding one morning, whisky tasting the next, fly-fishing on the River Dee, Scottish country dancing and even a pipe band finale.
Here’s what a memorable ten days at Kincardine Castle could look like.
Day 1: Arrive, settle in and meet your hosts
There’s no need to rush into sightseeing the moment you arrive. Day one is all about settling into castle life.
After a welcome reception, take a guided tour of Kincardine Castle and its grounds, getting acquainted with the building’s history and architecture.
As evening approaches, things become wonderfully Scottish. Gather in the Drawing Room for pre-dinner drinks with the Laird and his wife, enjoying whisky, sparkling wine or cocktails while hearing stories about the castle and the family behind it.
Then it’s on to dinner: a Scottish-themed feast featuring local produce and delicacies. A suitably grand beginning without feeling overly formal.
Day 2: Horses, Highlands and royal history
The first full day gets you straight into the Aberdeenshire landscape.
Start with a horse ride through neighbouring Glen Tanar, taking in peaceful countryside and panoramic views along the way.
In the afternoon, swap the saddle for a little royal history with a trip to Balmoral Castle, long associated with the Royal Family. Its gardens and historic spaces provide a gentle introduction to the culture and heritage of the area.
And if your group has already visited Balmoral? There are plenty of castle alternatives nearby, including Craigievar, Dunnottar, Fyvie, Fraser and Crathes.
Day 3: Test your aim, then hit the trails
Time to bring out your competitive side.
The morning begins with archery on the estate, guided by an expert instructor. It works just as well for complete beginners as it does for anyone secretly convinced they belong in a historical drama.
After lunch, slow the pace with a guided walk through the nearby hills and nature reserves. It’s an opportunity to explore more of the Aberdeenshire landscape while learning about the area from someone who knows it well.
Day 4: Whisky and a whirl around the dance floor
Few things say Scotland quite like whisky and country dancing, so naturally they deserve a day of their own.
Begin with a visit to a local whisky distillery for a private tasting. Alongside sampling a selection of whiskies, you’ll learn more about how Scotland’s famous spirit is produced.
Then comes an entirely different kind of Scottish tradition: country dancing. Spend the afternoon learning the steps before potentially putting your new skills into action at a ceilidh later in the day.
Coordination is useful. Enthusiasm is probably more important.
Day 5: A classic day in the Scottish countryside
This is one for fans of traditional country pursuits.
Spend the morning fly-fishing on the River Dee, with an experienced ghillie available to offer guidance and support.
In the afternoon, move on to clay pigeon shooting, where beginners and experienced shots alike can put their skills to the test.
For a larger group, activities such as shooting can be divided into smaller groups so everyone gets plenty of time to take part.
Day 6: Books in Braemar and a little friendly competition
After several days of country pursuits, day six mixes culture with something rather faster paced.
If your visit coincides with the dates, spend the morning at the Braemar Literary Festival, perhaps attending a talk, author reading or workshop.
Then shift gears completely with an afternoon of go-karting. A group leaderboard is optional, but realistically it probably won’t stay optional for long.
Day 7: Get back to nature
Today is about seeing just how much you really know about the great outdoors.
A bushcraft session introduces traditional outdoor survival skills under the guidance of an experienced forest leader.
In the afternoon, head out on a guided foraging walk to discover edible wild plants and herbs, while learning how some of them can be incorporated into local cooking.
It’s a great combination of hands-on learning and time spent outdoors — with a few potentially useful dinner-party facts thrown in.
Day 8: Golf, afternoon tea and absolutely no need to rush
After a fairly action-packed week, day eight provides a little more breathing room.
Golfers can spend the morning playing a round at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, with its dramatic coastal setting.
Back at Kincardine Castle, the afternoon is deliberately relaxed: traditional Scottish afternoon tea, followed by free time to wander through the grounds or settle into the Drawing Room in front of the fire.
You have officially earned an afternoon of doing very little.
Day 9: Go off-road, then finish on a high note
The final full day delivers one last dose of adventure.
Start with off-roading on the estate grounds, seeing the surrounding landscape from a completely different perspective.
Then return to the castle for a fitting finale: a Scottish pipe band performing in the gardens.
After days spent fishing, dancing, riding, walking and tasting your way around Aberdeenshire, hearing the pipes in the castle grounds is an atmospheric way to bring the trip to a close.
Day 10: One last breakfast
All good castle stays eventually have to end.
Gather for a final breakfast together before departing by coach or private transport. Depending on travel plans, there’s also the option of fitting in a little more sightseeing or shopping on the way to the airport.
Then all that remains is deciding which story from the previous nine days you’re going to tell first.
Why Kincardine Castle works so well for a group getaway
The real strength of this itinerary is its variety. There are energetic days, cultural experiences, traditional Scottish activities and quieter moments built in, so a group with different interests doesn’t have to spend ten days doing exactly the same thing.
Activities can also be adjusted to suit the group’s interests and energy levels, while transport can be arranged for excursions and larger activities can be divided into smaller groups.
And the setting has plenty of character of its own.
The present Kincardine Castle dates from the 1890s and remains in the hands of the fifth generation of the Pickering — now Bradford — family. Over the years it has served not only as a private residence but also as an auxiliary hospital during the First World War. Its history even includes a particularly charming royal connection: during the difficult winter of 1946, the young Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret attended parties in the Great Hall and learned Scottish country dancing there.
The takeaway
A ten-day stay at Kincardine Castle isn’t really about choosing between a relaxing country escape and an activity-packed Scottish adventure.
You can have both.
One day might involve fly-fishing and clay shooting; another whisky tasting and dancing. You can explore royal castles, walk through the countryside, race go-karts, learn bushcraft skills and still find time for afternoon tea by the fire.
For a celebration, family gathering, group holiday or retreat, it’s the kind of itinerary that gives everyone plenty to talk about long after the last bag has been packed.
