Completed the North Coast 500 road trip and looking for a different part of Scotland to explore? Well the North East 250 (NE250) might just be the one for you! With 250 miles of mountain scenery, picturesque fishing villages and famous castles, it’s no wonder this route is on the rise in popularity. We highly recommend doing this road trip in a campervan. The route has so many campsite spots and fantastic facilities along the way. We chose to rent a Staycation Scotland VW campervan and cannot recommend them enough! Please note our route slightly varies from the official route to include a few of our recommendations.
Braemar
Starting the route in the Cairngorms National Park, a stop at the charming village of Braemar is a must. It is home to the charming and very much Accidentally Wes Anderson, Great North of Scotland Railway building which makes a great photo op. We would also recommend checking out the quirky Fife Arms Hotel for a bite to eat and The Bothy Coffee shop for coffee.
Braemar castle
As you leave Braemar check out the wonderful Braemar Castle. It currently displays a neon light art installation out front by Martin Creed which is extremely uplifting and adds a modern contrast to the 17th century castle.
Balmoral Castle and cairns
Next stop by Balmoral Castle which has been the Scottish holiday home to the Royal family since 1852. You can also check out Prince Albert’s Cairn, also known as the Balmoral pyramid, via the cairn walk on the estate. Pretty cool, right? It was built in memory of Queen Victoria’s late husband in 1862.
Craigievar Castle
A little off the NE250 route you can check out the magical Craigievar Castle, a 17th century castle which looks straight out of a storybook. It is surrounded by the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire and is said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
Ellon Brewdog
If you are a beer fan, this next stop is a must! The quirky beer brand Brewdog originated in the town of Ellon in Aberdeenshire and is home to their Overworks Brewery. You can take a tour of the brewery or visit their DogTap bar for a drink and something to eat.
New Slains Castle
Next we’d recommend checking out the ruins of New Slains Castle which sits on the beautiful coast of Cruden Bay. The ruins are believed to be the inspiration for the setting of Dracula – which we think is pretty cool. Fans of Netflix’s The Crown may also recognise this spot from season 1 when the Queen Mother visits Scotland.
Rattray Head
Whilst we ran out of time to visit Rattray Head (we visited during winter when it gets dark before 4pm) we have seen photos and it looks idyllic. It is home to a beautiful beach where you can spot the the Rattray Head Lighthouse offshore.
Crovie
Next on the route check out the small and enchanting village of Crovie. The village sits wedged between a cliff and the sea, where there is only enough room for a single row of houses. There is a car park above the village where you can stop to admire it from above.
Cullen
We’d also recommend stopping at the town of Cullen, home to pretty shops and a charming old time vibe. The town is the home of the famous Scottish dish Cullen Skink, a soup you should definitely try when you visit.
Bow fiddle rock
Next check out the quirky Bow Fiddle Rock landmark near Portnockie. The incredible rock formation has over time come to resemble the tip of a bow from wave erosion. It makes for a beautiful photo spot.
Dark sky park - Tomintoul
We’d highly recommend spending the night in the dark sky park of Tomintoul home to incredibly clear, starry sky views. Whether you find accommodation, camp or stay in a camper van, watching a sky full of stars will be a highlight of your road trip. Again, we highly recommend Staycation Scotland camper vans if you choose to road trip via camper.
We hope you enjoyed reading about the North East 250 Scotland route. For more Scottish road trip inspo check out our best road trips in Scotland blog.
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