Moray is both wild and refined with towering hills and bucolic hamlets. Golf is found throughout this terrain with plenty of variety and unwavering quality. The county of Moray, pronounced "Murray", stretches from the rugged Cairngorn Mountains down to the sheltered sandy coast of the Moray Firth. The area is best loved for three key ingredients, fairy-tale castles, Scottish malt whiskies and, of course, golf.

There are fifteen golf courses in the Moray district. They enjoy exceptional weather as the coast is recognized as having one of the most favorable climates in Britain.

The course at Cullen is a geological phenomenon with great stacks of rusty red sandstone erupting out of the fairways. This course is fairly short but it is because of this bizarre golf landscape That playing here is a lot of fun. Four holes climb up onto the headland and from here the views over Cullen Bay are memorable.

Strathlene is a headlands course offering some great views. Here play is sometimes suspended while the Moray Dolphins, known locally as the Loupin Dugs, do a sail by.

Spey Bay is a good example of links golf as it was first encountered. There is a driving range and practice area as part of the complex.

For those that don't take up the cleeks, and those that do, this region has much else to offer.Its Castle Trail is world-famous and includes some of the finest fortified homes in Europe.There is the Coastal Trail along one of the most dramatic coastlines one would wish to explore, and for the connoisseur of 'the Water of Life', there is the ultimate pilgrimage on Grampian's 'Whisky Trail' where Scotland's finest malts flow from the world's famous distilleries such as Glenfiddich, Glen Grant or Glenlivet to name but three.

Salmon and trout fishing are also available and Grampian's unique assortment of fine Scottish produce makes it a gastronome's delight

Loch Ness and the famous Urquhart Castle are also just a short drive away, along with some of Scotland's finest Hill-walking and Rambling Trails.Mountaineering,Orienteering and almost every water-sport imaginable make this the ideal destination for the active amongst us, and the not so active.

Study the Dolphin Colonies in the Moray Firth or simply enjoy miles and miles of sandy beaches,the possibilities are endless.

A wealth of marine life thrives in the open sea while thousands of birds and other creatures throng the spectacular cliffs. On a calm sunny day bottlenose dolphins can be seen in the Moray Firth leaping and playing - often quite close to the shore. They are seen most days in the Cullen Bay in fairly large groups. They are a protected species and sensitive to disturbance, so enjoy these beautiful creatures but respect them as well

There is a Wildlife Centre at the mouth of the famous River Spey where there is an exhibition about the Moray Dolphins. The centre also hosts a research unit housing an independent research team who are studying the bottlenose dolphins along the Moray Firth. Dolphin watching from boats is exciting - take a trip with accredited boat operators

There really is something here for EVERYONE

Alford Valley Railway Co, Alford Station, Alford. Tel: 019755 62811. Open Apr-May & Sept, Sat-Sun 1300-1700, June-Aug daily 1300-1700. Santa special in December - phone for details. Scotland's first 2' narrow gauge passenger railway. Admission: Adult £1.50, Children £0.80.

Beach Leisure Centre, Beach Promenade, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 647647. Open all year daily. Sports hall and climbing wall, health suite, fitness studio, pool and flumes.

Burghead Family Fun Park, Covesea, Lossiemouth. Tel: 01343 814124. Open daily Easter-Sept. Go-Karts, putting and pitch and putt.

Codona's Amusement Park, Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 595910 for opening times. Amusement park June-Aug, daily from 1300, Mar-June & Aug-Nov, Fri-Sun from 1300. Dodgems, waltzers, roller coaster, log flume ride, haunted house.

Cullerlie Farm Park, Nether Woodside, Echt, Skene. Tel: 01330 860549. Open Apr-Oct, daily 1030-1730, Nov, daily 1100-1630. Other times by appointment. Family run farm museum and heritage centre for all ages. Animals and poultry. Tea room with disabled facilities. Special demonstration days. Admission: Adult £1.50, Child £1.00.

Jonah's Journey, 118 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 648041. Open Mon-Sat 0930-1200, Sun 1430-1630. Award-winning. Activities based. Learning journeys to the ancient (and today's 'third') world. A day trip to the sun! Admission: Adult £1.50, Child £3.0 

Linx Ice Arena, Beach Leisure Complex, Beach Promenade, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 649930. Open all year daily. Skating, ice hockey, disco and curling sessions.

Moray Leisure Centre, Borough Briggs Road, Elgin. Tel: 01343 550033. Open every day from 0700. Ice rink, swimming pools, sauna, turkish steam room, spa pool and solarium, crèche, sports shop, squash courts and cafe bar.

Noah's Ark 2x2 Country Activity Centre, Old Schoolhouse Croft, Craigievar, Alford. Tel: 013398 83670. Open Apr-Nov, daily 0900-1800. Other times by appointment. Model farm of rare breeds. Conducted tours available.

Pets Corner and Walk-in Aviary, Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 522231. Aquarium, rabbits, fowl, farm animals.

Satrosphere, 19 Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 213232. Open Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1330-1700, Nov-Mar, Mon-Fri (closed Tues) 1000-1600, Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1330-1700. Hands-on science and technology discovery centre suitable for all ages. Admission: Adult £3.99, Child/Concession £2.00.

Stonehaven Open-Air Swimming Pool, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stonehaven. Tel: 01569 762134. Open 6 Jun-Sept. Unique open-air heated swimming pool.

Storybook Glen, Maryculter, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 732941. Open Mar-Oct, daily 1000-1800, Nov-Feb, Sat & Sun 1100-1600. A 28 acre children's fantasy land where nursery rhymes and fairytale characters abound. Adults enjoy the nostalgia surrounded by flowers, trees and waterfalls. Admission: Adult £3.50, Concession £2.60, Child £1.75.

General Interest

A'Anside Studio, 5 Main Street, Tomintoul. Tel: 01807 580430. Open Mon 1100-1730, Tue-Sat 0930-1730, Sun 1200-1730. Closed Christmas and New Year. Working artists studios producing stained glass and wood cabinet work. Shop selling exclusively Scottish craftwork and gifts.

Baxters Visitors Centre, Fochabers. Tel: 01343 820393. Manufacturer of quality Scottish foods. Visitor complex with audio visual and cookery demonstration theatre. Old Shop museum. George Baxter's Cellar. Best of Scotland craft shop. Spey Restaurant and splendid Gordon Room Restaurant. Open daily 0900-1730. (No factory tours at weekends or during factory holidays). Admission free.

Cardhu Distillery, Knockando, Aberlour. Tel: 01340 872555. Open Mar-Nov, Mon-Fri 0930-1630, Sun 1100-1600, Dec-Feb restricted hours, advisable to make an appointment. Guided tour, gift shop, coffee shop, picnic area, themed display. Admission: £2.00, voucher for £3.00 redeemable on a 70cl bottle of malt. Under 18 years free.

Fordyce Joiner's Workshop & Visitor Centre, Church Street, Fordyce. Tel: 01771 622906. Visitor Centre may not open in 1998, please call to confirm prior to visit. Restored workshop. Tradesman in residence, tool and machinery collection, audio-visual display. Shop. Victorian garden.

Glendronach Distillery, Forgue, by Huntly. Tel: 01466 730202. Open all year, Mon-Fri, tours 1000 and 1400 except Christmas & New Year. Traditional distillery with floor maltings when in production. Groups by arrangement. Admission free.

Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch. Tel: 01807 500257. Open Apr-Sept, Mon-Fri 0930-1700, Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1230-1630. Oct-Mar, Mon-Fri 1000-1600. Guided tours up to one hour before closing time. Gift shop, audio visual presentation. Admission: Adult £2.50.

Glenfiddich Distillery, Wm Grant & Sons Ltd, Dufftown. Tel: 01340 820373. Open all year, Mon-Fri 0930-1630, also Sat 0930-1630, Sun 1200-1630 from Easter to mid-Oct. Audio-visual (six languages), guided tour including bottling, gift shop, picnic area. Admission free.

Glen Grant Distillery and Garden, Elgin Road, Rothes. Tel: 01542 783303. Open mid Mar-end May & Oct, Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1130-1600. June-Sept, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1130-1700. New visitor facilities. £2.50 admission to distillery and Victorian gardens includes £2.00 voucher redeemable in distillery gift shop against a 70cl bottle of whisky.

Glenlivet Distillery, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. Tel: 01542 783220. Open 16 Mar-June & Oct, Mon-Sat 1000-1600, Sun 1230-1600. Jul-Sept, Mon-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1230-1800. Guided tour, audio-visual presentation, gift shop, coffee shop, exhibition and picnic area. Admission: £2.50 includes a £2.00 voucher redeemable in distillery shop against a 70cl bottle of whisky.

Johnstons Cashmere Visitor Centre, Johnstons of Elgin, Newmill, Elgin. Tel: 01343 554099. Open July-Sept, Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1730, Sun 1100-1700, Oct-May, Mon-Sat 0900-1730, June, Mon-Sat 0900-1730, Sun 1000-1700. Exhibition showing story of Cashmere from the wilds of Asia to a finished product. Audio-visual, 6 languages. Mill tours by arrangement. Coffee Shop.

Logie Steading, Logie, Forres. Tel: 01309 611378. Open May-25 Oct, Tue-Fri 1100-1700, Sat-Sun 1200-1700. Attractively converted farm steading. Workshops with professional craftsmen at work, (gunmaker, sealmaker, engraver). Art gallery exhibiting contemporary Scottish work, restaurant, antiques, gardens. Admission: Adult £1.00, Children free.

Old Mill Visitor Centre, Tamnavulin, Glenlivet. Tel: 01807 590442. Apr-Oct, Mon-Fri 0930-1630, also Sat May-Sept and Sun July-Aug 1230-1630. Depicts the story of whisky making and offers the chance to sample the product.

Ron Parker Sculpture, Beachens Two, Dunphail, Forres. Tel: 01309 611273. Open daily 0900-1800. Weekends by appointment. Exhibition of hand-made wood sculptures for sale. Wide variety of subject matter. Workshop open where work can be seen being made by resident artist. Short sculpture courses offered by arrangement. Admission free.

Royal Lochnagar Distillery Visitor Centre, Crathie, Ballater. Tel: 013397 42273. Open Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1600. Nov-Mar, Mon-Fri 1000-1700. Gift shop, coffee shop, exhibition area. Admission: Adult £2 (includes guided tour).

Sandhaven Meal Mill, Sandhaven, by Fraserburgh. Tel: 01771 622906. Open weekends May-Sept, Sat 1400-1615, Sun 1400-1715. Working model of meal mill. Admission free.

Speyside Cooperage Visitor Centre, Dufftown Road, Craigellachie. Tel: 01340 871108. Open June-Sept, Mon-Sat 0930-1630, Oct-May, Mon-Fri 0930-1630. Award winning working cooperage, exhibition (six languages), viewing gallery, gift shop. Admission: Adult £2.25, Child/Concession £1.75.

Strathisla Distillery, Seafield Avenue, Keith. Tel: 01542 783044. Open mid Mar-end Nov, Mon-Sat 0930-1600, Sun 1230-1600. Feb-mid Mar, Mon-Fri 0930-1600. Oldest working distillery in the Highlands, founded in 1786. Admission: Adult £4.00, includes £2.00 voucher redeemable in distillery shop against the purchase of 70cl bottle of whisky. Self guided tours, gift shop.

Ugie Salmon Fishings, Golf Road, Peterhead. Tel: 01779 476209. Open all year Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1200. Scotland's oldest salmon fish house built in 1585 selling fresh and smoked salmon direct to public.

Balmedie Country Park, Balmedie. Tel: 01358 742396. Open all year. Visitor Centre open Apr-Sept, daily 0930-1630, Oct-Mar, Mon-Thur 0930-1630, Fri 0930-1600. Sandy beach, dunes and links. Picnic sites, BBQ sites (must be booked), ranger service.

Bennachie Centre, Esson's Car Park, by Chapel of Garioch. Tel: 01467 681470. Open Apr-Oct, Tues-Sun 1000-1700, Nov-Mar, Wed-Sun 1000-1700. Interpretation of the social and natural history of Bennachie area. Base for ranger activities. Groups welcome by arrangement.

Bennachie Hill Walks and West Gordon Way Tel: 01467 794161. Series of long and short forest and hill top walks with excellent views. Wheelchair trails. Parking and access from Donview, Esson's and Back o' Bennachie car parks.

Bin Forest Walks, Bin Forest, by Huntly. Tel: 01466 794161. Car park and series of long and short walks through a varied forest environment.

Bow Fiddle Rock, East Shore, Portknockie. Curiously shaped rock formation.

Buchan Ness, Boddam. Headland and lighthouse on the most easterly point on the Scottish mainland.

Bullers of Buchan, north of Cruden Bay on the A975. Breathtaking sea chasm and cliff scenery.

Bunzeach Cycle Route, Bellabeg, Strathdon. Tel: 01466 794161. Series of waymarked trails through the forest. Suitable for family mountain biking.

Cambus O'May Forest Walks, Cambus O'May, by Ballater. Four routes of varying distance through Forestry Commission woodland, including one specifically designed for wheelchair users.

Cambus O'May Suspension Bridge, Cambus O'May, by Ballater. White Victorian suspension bridge over the River Dee.

Catterline, by Stonehaven. Picturesque old fishing village. Seals can often be seen in the bay.

Countesswells Forest, Aberdeen. Walks, horse trails, car parks. Archaeological lazy bed agricultural system.

Crovie Viewpoint, East of Macduff on the B9031. Clifftop viewpoint overlooking spectacular fishing village. Picnic area.

Culbin Forest, by Forres. Tel: 01343 820223. Forest walks, picnic area, interpretive panels, car park.

Deeside Railway Line, Aberdeen. Scenic 6 mile walkway from Duthie Park to Peterculter.

Den of Maidencraig, Hazlehead, Aberdeen. Nature and woodland walk along the Denburn with parking off the A944.

Donmouth Local Nature Reserve, Donmouth Road and Beach Esplanade, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Coastal, dune and riverside walks at Don estuary. Birdwatching hide.

Doonies Farm, Old Cove Road, Nigg, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 523400. Rare breed farm centre. Clydesdales, cattle, sheep, pigs, Shetland ponies. Picnic and play areas.

Findhorn Heritage Centre, Findhorn, by Forres. Tel: 01309 690659. Open May & Sept, Sat-Sun 1400-1700, June-Aug, Wed-Mon 1400-1700. Discover the intriguing history and local ecology of Findhorn village. See the salmon fisher's bothy. Admission Adult £1.00, Concession/Child £0.50.

Findhorn Nature Reserve, Findhorn, by Forres. Tel: 01343 563469 for ranger service covering Moray coast. Nature reserve with public bird hide, car park and picnic site. Bird hide key from Phoenix Shop at Findhorn Foundation.

Footdee (Fittie), Aberdeen. Picturesque fishing village built 1808-9, designed by fisherfolk.

Formartine and Buchan Way. Middle distance footpath from Dyce to Mintlaw along the course of the old railway line. Four stages.

Four Hills Country Walk and Brimmond and Elrick Country Park, Aberdeen, (off A96/A944). Open all year. Hill, moorland, forest and farmland walks. "Robbers" cave.

Girdleness, south bank of Aberdeen Harbour. Splendid viewpoint and car park at Torry Battery.

Glenlivet Estate, Glenlivet Estate Information Centre, Main Street, Tomintoul. Tel: 01807 580283. Open all year. Large highland estate in foothills of Cairngorms. Over 60 miles of waymarked walking and cycling trails. Downhill and Nordic skiing. Ranger service and Information Centre. Free maps and guides.

Glenshee Chairlift Company Ltd, Cairnwell, by Braemar. Tel: 013397 41320. Open daily, 0830-1700 (weather permitting). Skiing in winter. Chairlift in summer to give access to summit of Cairnwell mountain and panoramic views. Licensed cafe and shop open daily. Car park, ski equipment and instruction.

Glen Tanar Estate, 2 miles west of Aboyne, off B976. Marked walks of various lengths through scenic Glen Tanar.

Hell's Lum and Cullykhan Bay, by Pennan. Chasm and "grotto-like" cliff features and bay, 1 mile west of Pennan.

Hill of Barra Walk. Walkway from B9170 at "Blankets" to join the unclassified road linking the B9170 and A947 at Kirkton of Bourtie. This walk rises to Hill of Barra from which there is an outstanding view of the Garioch, the vantage point used by Robert the Bruce to watch the Battle of Barra.

International League for the Protection of Horses, Belwade Farm, Aboyne. Tel: 013398 87186. Open all year Wed 1400-1600, Sat-Sun 1400-1600. World's largest equine charity. Rehabilitation centre for equines in need. Admission free.

Linn O'Dee, Inverey, by Braemar. Narrow chasm on River Dee. Local beauty spot.

Lochinch Farm, Redmoss Road (off A90), Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 522473. Open all year, dawn to dusk. Highland cattle, Scottish sheep. Loch of Loirston, home to wildlife and waterfowl.

Loch Muick & Lochnagar Wildlife Reserve, Glen Muick, by Ballater. Nature reserve, visitor centre, red deer reserve.

Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve, RSPB, Starnafin, Crimmond, Fraserburgh. Tel: 01346 532017. Open dawn till dusk seven days a week. Visitor Centre, toilets, birdwatching hides, otters, breeding terns (summer), roost for large numbers of wildfowl (winter). Warden on site.

Macduff Marine Aquarium, 11 High Shore, Macduff. Tel: 01261 833369. Open daily 1000-1700. Unique open air centre-piece tank, surge tanks, touch pools, sea-lab, gift shop. Admission: Adult £2.75, Child £1.50, Concession £2.00.

Moray Firth Wildlife Centre, Tugnet, Spey Bay. Tel: 01343 820339. Open Jul-Aug, daily 1030-1900, Mar-Jul & Sept-Nov, daily 1030-1630. Exhibition on the Moray Firth dolphins, wildlife gift shop and activity holidays. Admission: Adult £1.50, Child/Concession £0.75.

Pennan, west of Fraserburgh on the B9031. Old Smugglers' Village. Location for film "Local Hero". Spectacular cliff features and bay one mile from the village.

Pitfichie Cycle Route, Tillyfourie, Monymusk. Tel: 01466 794161. Waymarked mountain bike route through the forest. Excellent views from the top trails. Suitable for walking.

Queen's View, Tarland. One of the finest views in the North East. Much loved by Queen Victoria. Car park, viewpoint indicator.

Randolph's Leap, seven miles south of Forres. Popular beauty spot on River Findhorn.

Revack Estate, Revack Lodge, Grantown-on-Spey. Tel: 01479 872234. Open daily 1000-1700 (1600 during winter). A highland estate with woodland walks, gardens, orchid houses, children's adventure playground, gift shop and tearoom. Admission free.

Sands of Forvie National Nature Reserve, Collieston. Tel: 01224 642863. Spectacular coastal area which includes beach, sand dunes, cliffs and estuary. Internationally renowned for its wildlife. Unlimited access to dunes except between April and August. Largest sand dune system in Britain. New visitor centre scheduled to open summer 1998.

Speyside Way Visitor Centre, Boat o' Fiddich, Craigellachie. Tel: 01340 881266 to confirm opening of Visitor Centre. Long distance footpath always open, Spey Bay to Tomintoul.

Museums and Galleries

Aberdeen Art Gallery, Schoolhill, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 646333. Open all year, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1400-1700. Impressionist, Victorian, Scottish, 20th century British paintings, silver and glass collections. Special exhibitions programme. Gallery shop, coffee shop, craft gallery.

Aberdeen Arts Centre, 33 King Street, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 635208. Open all year, Mon-Sat 1000-1700. Small gallery for contemporary arts and crafts.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Provost Ross' House, Shiprow, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 377700. Open daily, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1100-1700. The story of the North East's long association with the sea. Multi-media displays, computer visual databases, audio visual theatre, collection of maritime paintings, gift shop and cafe.

Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw. Tel: 01771 622906. Open May-Sept, daily 1100-1630, 22 Mar-Apr & Oct-Nov, daily 1200-1600. Award-winning portrayal of regional farming history and Hareshowe working farm. Admission free.

Alford Heritage Centre, Mart Road, Alford. Tel: 019755 62906. Open Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat, 1000-1700, Sun 1300-1700. The former mart preserved in its original state now houses a museum of rural life and social history.

Arbuthnot Museum, St Peter Street, Peterhead. Tel: 01779 477778. Open all year, Mon-Tue & Thur-Sat 1030-1330 & 1430-1700, Wed 1030-1300. Local history, coin, herring and whaling, temporary exhibitions. Excellent display programme. Admission free.

Archaeolink, Berryhill, Oyne Village, Insch. Tel: 01464 851500. Open daily 1000-1700. An opportunity to journey back in time to experience the world of our ancestors 6000 years ago. Interactive displays, reconstructions, audio visual show, restaurant and gift shop. Admission: Adult £3.90, Child/Concession £2.35.

Banchory Museum, Bridge Street, Banchory. Tel: 01771 622906. Open Easter-May, Sat 1100-1300 & 1400-1700, Sun 1300-1700, June-Sept, Mon-Sat 1000-1300 & 1400-1700, Sun 1300-1700. Displays on local history and wildlife. Special feature on J Scott Skinner. Admission free

Banff Museum, High Street, Banff. Tel: 01771 622906. Open June-Sept, Fri-Wed, 1400-1715. Local history, astronomy, Banff silver and award winning natural history collection. Admission free.

The Barnyard Studios, Garmouth. Tel: 01343 870599. Open May-Dec, 1300-1600 daily, Feb-Apr, Sat-Sun 1300-1600. Working studios with gallery exhibition of artists and craftsmen's work. Some special events - painting, glass design, jewellery, textile art, printing. Admission free.

Brander Museum, The Square, Huntly. Tel: 01771 622906. Open all year, Tue-Sat 1000-1200 and 1400-1600. Local history, important collection of communion tokens. Small souvenir shop. Admission free.

Buckie Drifter, Freuchny Road, Buckie, Banffshire. Tel: 01542 834646. Open Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1200-1700. The story of herring and of those who depend upon them. Admission: Adult £2.50 Child/Concession £1.60.

Carnegie Museum, Town Hall, The Square, Inverurie. Tel: 01771 622906. Open all year Mon-Tue & Thur-Fri 1400-1700, Sat 1000-1300 & 1400-1600. Local history museum specialising in archaeology. Small shop. Admission free.

Conoco Natural History Centre, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 493288. Open Mon-Fri 0900-1700, weekends and evenings by arrangement. Zoology museum and botanic garden based at Aberdeen University. Admission free.

Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery, Forres. Tel: (01309) 676548. Open Apr-Sept, daily 0930-1830. Oct-Mar, Mon-Wed 0930-1630, Thur mornings only, closed Fri, Sat 0930-1630 Sun 1400-1630. Former distillery where visitors can see in detail how whisky is produced. A completely preserved time capsule of the distiller's craft. Admission: Adult £2.30, Concession £1.75, Child £1.00.

Duff House Country House Gallery, Banff. Tel: 01261 818181. Open Apr-Sept, daily 1100-1600, Oct-Mar, Thur-Sun 1100-1600 (Closed Mon-Wed). Magnificent Baroque mansion by William Adam, completely refurbished as a Country House Gallery, the premier outstation of the National Galleries of Scotland. Cafe, shop, disabled access, car park, coach park, woodland walks. Admission: Adult £3.00, Child/Concession £2.00.

Elgin Museum, 1 High Street, Elgin. Tel: 01343 543675. Open 28 Mar-Oct, Mon -Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1100-1600, Sun 1400-1700. Palaeontology, archaeology, social and natural history, with a wide variety of changing exhibitions. Admission: Adult £1.50, Child £0.50, Concession £0.75

Falconer Museum, Tolbooth Street, Forres. Tel: 01309 673701. Open May-Oct, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Nov-Apr, Mon-Fri 1000-1700. Local and natural history displays. Special exhibition on the Corries (folk musicians). Admission free.

Fochabers Folk Museum, High Street, Fochabers. Tel: 01343 820362. Open all year, daily, Apr-Oct 0930-1300 & 1400-1800. Nov-Mar 0930-1300 & 1400-1700. Collections of horse-drawn vehicles, costumes and local history. Over four thousand exhibits. Admission free.

Gallery Heinzel, 21 Spa Street, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 625629. Open Tue-Sat 1000-1730. Art gallery promoting and selling mainly Scottish contemporary art. Regular exhibitions.

Garlogie Mill Power House Museum, Garlogie, Skene. Tel: 01771 622906. Open May-Sept, Thur-Mon 1230-1700. Unique attraction centred on the only beam engine of its type in situ in Scotland. Audiovisual Presentation and models of the mill and the beam engine. Admission free.

The Gordon Highlanders Museum, St Luke's, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 311200. Re-opened in 1997 after major refurbishment. Open Apr-Oct, Tues-Sat 1030-1630, Sunday 1330-1630. New exhibitions of paintings, uniform, weapons, colours and trophies of the famous regiment. Also audio-visual theatre, shop, tearoom, disabled access, temporary exhibitions. Admission: Adult £2.00, Concession £1.50, Child £1.00.

Grampian Transport Museum, Alford. Tel: 019755 62292. Open daily 29 Mar-31 Oct, 1000-1700. Comprehensive display of transport history. Hands-on experience. A living museum, videos, 'climb aboard' exhibits, outdoor events. Admission: Adult £3.00, Concession £2.00, Child £1.25.

Grassic Gibbon Centre, Arbuthnott, Laurencekirk. Tel: 01561 361668. Open Apr-Oct, daily 1000-1630. Visitor Centre dedicated to the Scottish author Lewis Grassic Gibbon. Exhibition, coffee shop, gift shop including books. Outdoor children's play area. Disabled access throughout. Admission: Adult £2.00. Child/Concession £1.25.

Green Hall Gallery, 2 Victoria Street, Craigellachie. Tel: 01340 871010. Open Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat, 0900-1300 & 1400-1800, Sun 1400-1800, Nov-Mar, Mon-Sat 0930-1300 & 1400-1700, Sun 1400-1700. A range of original oils and watercolours. All the artwork is produced on the premises.

Lantern Gallery of Fine Art, 18 South Guildry Street, Elgin. Tel: 01343 546864. Open Tue-Sat 1300-1700. Original paintings, wood sculptures and ceramics. Commissions painted. Admission free. 

Little Treasures, Petersfield, Kemnay. Tel: 01467 642332. Open June-Aug & Dec, Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1300-1700, Sept-Nov & Jan-May, Fri-Sat 1000-170