Crannoch Self Catering

Findlater Castle is the old seat of the Earls of Findlater and Seafield, standing on a 50-foot cliff above the Moray Firth on the Aberdeenshire coast. It lies about 15 km west of Banff, near the village of Sandend, between Cullen and Portsoy. The cliffs here contain quartz, and the name comes from the Gaelic words for "white" and "cliff or steep slope".

Duff House in Banff is an early Georgian mansion designed by architect William Adam for William Duff. The two fell out over money during the build, which led to a five-year court case. Inside, you can see collections from the National Galleries of Scotland, including works by El Greco, Thomas Gainsborough and Henry Raeburn.

Tip: Book your visit online in advance, as the Historic Scotland site recommends pre-booking for guaranteed entry.

Gordon Castle stands near Fochabers in Moray and was the principal seat of the Dukes of Gordon. It began in the 1470s as a fortified tower called the Bog o' Gight, then was rebuilt in the late 18th century as a huge Neoclassical mansion with a façade over 170 metres long.

The Macallan is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery at Craigellachie, founded in 1824. It sits on a 485-acre estate that includes Easter Elchies House, the building shown on every bottle, and a 1.5 mile stretch of the River Spey. The modern distillery building was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize and won the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland award.

Tip: Experiences must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, and bring ID for the bar and first floor.

Elgin Cathedral is a historic ruin in Elgin, Moray, run by Historic Environment Scotland. Founded in 1224, it was the seat of the bishops of Moray and was once the second-largest cathedral in Scotland. Even as a ruin, it is regarded as one of the country's most ambitious and beautiful medieval buildings, which earned it the name 'Lantern of the North'.

Tip: Book your entry time online in advance. The cathedral's tickets are for a specific date and time.

The GlenDronach Distillery sits near Forgue, by Huntly in Aberdeenshire. Founded in 1826, it is known for single malts matured in Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks from Andalucía, which give the whisky its rich, sherried style. The distillery buildings are category B listed, and water comes from the Dronac burn in the grounds.

Huntly Castle is a ruined castle just north of Huntly in Aberdeenshire, where the rivers Deveron and Bogie meet. It was the ancestral home of the chief of Clan Gordon, Earl of Huntly, and four castles have stood on the site over the centuries. The first was a wooden castle on a motte, built around 1180 to 1190.

Balvenie Castle is a ruined castle on the northern edge of Dufftown, in Moray. Originally known as Mortlach, it passed through the hands of the Comyns and the Black Douglases, and was extended and altered in the 15th and 16th centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots visited in 1562, and Hanoverian forces camped here during the second Jacobite rebellion.

Tip: The cobbled courtyard and the ground-level corridor are very uneven, so wear sturdy footwear.