Aberdeen Ancient Heritage And Folklore Tour

The early inhabitants of the northeast of Scotland were the Picts, and they have left their lasting footprints on our landscape. On this tour we will delve into their lives, their history and how they became the People of Alba. Throughout the tour we discover the legacy of ancient heritage and hear stories and folklore that shaped their beliefs and continue to be told today. This is a unique, off the beaten path tour that will take you into undiscovered corners of Aberdeenshire.

Meeting Point

William Wallace Statue

Union Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1NP, UK

Next to the William Wallace statue by the Union Terrace Gardens on Rosemount Viaduct.

What to expect:

Duration: 7 hours, 30 minutes

Barra Hill

Barra Hill, Oldmeldrum, AB51 0BA

We start our journey through history with a visit to Barry Hill fort. Hillfort structures that are dotted around Aberdeenshire and are built on higher ground, many would have included wooden or stone enclosures to create a settlement where people lived and worked. These early communities were found Scotland hundreds of years ago and formed the early Aberdeenshire towns and villages. There are several hill forts around the region, of which only foundations remain. But through archaeological studies, we are learning more every year about how the people of these communities lived. Many of the hill forts are challenging to access, but Barra is one of the few we can visit relatively easily.
During our visit, we will walk along the earthworks and foundations, and begin to get a sense of how these communities were formed and get a feel for what life would be like living on these hills.
*To visit the site, we will be walking through fields and off road paths.

1 hour

Dunnideer Hillfort

Insch

We start with a short walk up a low hill, from where we see the ruins of Dunnideer Castle. The castle was a tower house located near the village of Insch. It was built c. 1260 partially from the remains of an existing vitrified hill fort in the same location. The hillfort is composed of at least five concentric rings of defences. The defences are easily visible from below and from atop the hill, as a series of high banks and ditches.
Standing a short distance away from the Hillfort are the remaining stones of Dunnideer Stone Circle. They now add to the dramatic location and atmosphere of the surroundings.

30 minutes

Rhynie

Rhynie

The area around the village of Rhynie was a Pictish stronghold for the northeast of Scotland. The Tap O'Noth, has Scotland’s largest hillfort, the hilltop settlement that at its height, may have rivalled the largest known post-Roman settlements in Europe. Researchers believe to be a community with over 5,000 residents!
There is a collection of Pictish carved stones, and we will discover more about their symbols, carvings, and meanings of the stones. A lone standing stone, the Crawstane was once at the centre of a settlement which had trade across the Mediterranean and great wealth. We will learn about the King of the Scots and how he changed the cultural landscape of Scotland which ultimately led to the downfall of the Picts.

1 hour

Bellabeg

Bellabeg, Strathdon AB36 8UR, UK

We will take our lunch break at Lost, at the foot of the Doune of Invernochty motte and bailey castle. The small village is in the Cairngorm National Park and has a lovely charm, perfect for a picnic lunch by the river or a stroll through the country lanes.
Lunch can either be purchased in Insch or Bellabeg, or you can bring a picnic lunch. A cooler will be provided.

45 minutes

Tomnaverie Stone Circle

Tarland, Aboyne AB34 4YQ, UK

With stunning views, Tomnaverie, a recumbent stone circle, is a kind of monument found only in north-eastern Scotland. What makes these unique is their characteristic feature, a large stone on its side, flanked by two upright stones, and a series of standing stone completing the circle. The stone circle is located close to a burial cairn dating to about 4,500 years ago. Relatively little is known about why we have these structures, there are several theories which you’ll discover on your visit.

30 minutes