Why everyone is taking the Queen's lead and planning a holiday in Aberdeenshire this year Escape to the Queen's favourite retreat Aberdeenshire, to explore an area famous for food, drink and scenery as well as its Royal connections Updated Advertorial Balmoral Castle and Gardens We've all binge watched The Crown in recent months and fallen in love with the lavish backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. Always a favourite retreat for the Queen and the Royal family, now Aberdeenshire is set to welcome a whole host of new visitors keen to explore the area for themselves. Lockdown has left people yearning for the outdoors, wide open spaces and remote destinations but with staycations firmly on the agenda this year, Aberdeenshire has become the perfect place for a great escape.