If you are looking for a base to tour the north east of Scotland then the small country town of Dufftown could be just what you are looking for, with Aberdeen and Inverness both within an hours drive and the coast and mountains just half an hours drive.

Set amongst the Speyside hills the perfect waters sources has meant that since the 1800s Dufftown has been the whisky capital.  Today the town still boasts Glenfiddich, Glendullan,  Kininvie, Mortlach, Balvenie and Dufftown-Glenlivet as local distillers; nearly all of these distillers have guided tours - in our opinion you haven't visited Scotland unless you've been on a whisky tour! 
The whisky is oftern flavoured by the type of barrel chosen to age the malt in - the ancient craft of barrel making can still be seen today in Dufftown on a visit to the nearby cooperage. 

There is plenty of other attraction close in the town centre: Balvenie Castle, Mortlach Parish Church and The Clock Tower are just some of the local historic buildings.

Outside of Dufftown you'll find relaxating walks along the Dullan water to the Giant's Chair rock formation and be rewarded with many varieties of wildlife.
The 45 mile Speyside Way offers a route for the more adventurous walker from  the mouth of the river at the coast of the Moray Firth through some spectacular scenery to Tomintoul, the highest village in Scotland.   There is also the 2000ft Ben Rinnes, the highest peak in the area from which wonderful views of the Northern hills in Sutherland, Moray, Moray Firth and the Cairngorms