A prosperous farming town, just 17 miles from Aberdeen, Inverurie is one place in Grampian where there is something for everyone. It straddles both the River Don and the River Ury, on the south side of the Don is Port Elphinstone, nowadays Inverurie is mainly used to refer to all of the area. Legend has it that the grandfather of Robert the Bruce founded this town. In 1307, Robert the Bruce defeated the Comyns at the Battle of Barra on Christmas Ever 1307, which is quite close to the town.
Thainstone Mart, just southeast of Inverurie is the largest livestock market in Europe. Even though agriculture is important here, there are many stores and shops where you can buy all manner of articles and souvenirs. The paper industry is also important to the economy of the town. This is the perfect place to choose as your base when you want to explore the surrounding towns and villages.
Visit the Easter Aquhorthies recumbent stone circles, which are believed to date back to the 4
th or 5
th century. There are many castles and historic sites in this area that show evidence that the Picts once settled here in the many Pictish stones they left behind. The Bass, located on the south side of Inverurie is a large mound, is believed to have been used for military purposes.
On the West Side of the town is Bennachie, an imposing hill that is a favourite with hill walkers and climbers. It was on this hill that the first recorded battle in Scotland took place in 80 A.D. In the Battle of Mons Graupius, the Romans defeated the Picts and appointed the first Scottish chief – Calgacus. Castle Fraser stands on the spot where a wooden hill fort was once built in Inverurie in the 1100's and Mary Queen of Scots once visited here in 1562.
Visit the Bennachie Centre where you can learn about the local history of the area. To the north of this is the Maiden Stone and a whole host of archaeological sites that are clearly marked. There are several events that take place in Inverurie such as the Castle Fraser Steam and Vintage fair and the Food and Drink Festival at the Thainstone Mart. You can step back into the past when you visit the Carnegie Inverurie Museum where you will see displays of flint arrowheads and bronze swords. You can also see the Pictish carved stones and learn about the building of the Aberdeenshire Canal.
You won't have difficulty finding comfortable accommodations and the cuisine served in the restaurants will certainly please even the most discerning pallet.
