Aberdeenshire has long held the nickname ‘Scotland’s castle country’ and you’ll find a surprising number of formidable fortresses and grand stately homes along its east coast. The northern coastline is also rich in history and if you head that way you’ll find a real gem of a country house that should definitely be on your list of places to visit if you’re a fan of Scotland’s history. Duff House is an impressive stately home that’s totally unexpected to be found in a quiet coastal town like Banff, but it offers a fascinating walk through its maze of rooms and the outside grounds are lovely – especially in spring when the wildflowers start to bloom.