Major city · United Kingdom
MethlickMaothulach
Skip as a base: 1 night max, or a half-day from Aberdeen for Haddo House. No station, hourly bus, and you need a car for the rest.
Methlick is a 634-person farming village in Aberdeenshire, 20 miles north of Aberdeen, and it exists on the travel map for one reason: Haddo House, a Palladian country house with an art collection and its own theatre. Everything else in the district — Fyvie Castle, Tolquhon Castle, Pitmedden Garden, the Gight Castle ruin — is scattered across farmland with no public transport, so a car or bike turns a dead end into a decent two-day loop. Come for the house and the gardens, not the village.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many estates closed)
- Airport
- ABZ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Methlick999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Methlick, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime farming district; the real risks are single-track roads with fast local drivers, an unsafe castle ruin…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportABZ Aberdeen International (About 30–40 min by car to the city, then bus 64 or a hire car north; no direct bus to Methlick.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car or a bike.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a village café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£13–20 (≈ US$18–30)
- Street or quick mealSoup and a sandwich£8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£6–15 (≈ US$8–20)
- Museum or sight ticketFyvie Castle adult ticket£18 (≈ US$25) (concessions £14 (≈ US$19); National Trust members free)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedVillage hotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedVillage hotel double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ABZ Aberdeen International (About 30–40 min by car to the city, then bus 64 or a hire car north; no direct bus to Methlick.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Oct (15 rain days), driest Apr (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Methlick: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
14 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
May
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car or a bike. The village sits at the junction of the B9005 (Ellon–Fyvie) and the B9170 (Inverurie–New Deer). Stagecoach bus 64 runs from Aberdeen Union Square via Udny, Pitmedden and Tarves, about 80 min, hourly Monday–Saturday but only four services on Sunday. The nearest railway station is Inverurie, on the Aberdeen–Inverness line, with trains every couple of hours; a bike on the train works from there.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fyvie Castle
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via the B9005 north, about 10 min
Tower-by-tower Scottish Baronial house with a walled garden; guided tours inside. Summer daily, shoulder season Wednesday–Sunday.
Tolquhon Castle and Tolquhon Gallery
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car via Tarves, about 15 min
Renaissance castle built 1584–89, pronounced 'Toh-hon'. April–September, Wednesday–Sunday, closed over lunch.
Pitmedden Garden
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via the B9005 and B999, about 20 min
Recreated Renaissance walled garden plus a farming-life museum. April–September, Thursday–Monday.
Aberdeen
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Bus 64 from the village, about 80 min
Hourly Monday–Saturday, four services Sunday. Fine for a day out; useless for a late return.
Oldmeldrum and Glen Garioch Distillery
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car via the B9170, about 15 min
Distillery tours, a Co-op open daily 6:00–22:00 and the best cluster of places to eat nearby.Distillery tours, a Co-op open daily 6:00 AM–10:00 PM and the best cluster of places to eat nearby.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Methlick village
Ythan View Hotel on the main road is the only bed in the village; book ahead, it is small.
Oldmeldrum
About 15 min south by car; more rooms, a distillery and places to eat.
Ellon
About 20 min east by car; the biggest supermarket and hotel choice in the district.
Tarves
About 10 min south; a four-bedroom hotel and pub, closest to Tolquhon Castle.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Village hotel double room1 × 1 night × £110 | £110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × £60 · check | £60 |
| Fuel, about 60 miles of local driving1 × £10 · check | £10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £36 |
| Trip total≈ £196 per person per day, bed included | £392≈ US$550 |
Ythan View is quoted around £80 B&B double; Oldmeldrum and Meldrum House run higher.
2026 estimate in pounds; car hire and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a village café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Soup and a sandwich | £8–12 (≈ US$11–16) |
| Pub main course | £13–20 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Haddo House adult ticket | £18 (≈ US$25) (concessions £14 (≈ US$19); National Trust members free) |
| Fyvie Castle adult ticket | £18 (≈ US$25) (concessions £14 (≈ US$19); National Trust members free) |
| Tolquhon Castle adult ticket | £8.50 (≈ US$12) (concessions £6.80 (≈ US$10), child £5 (≈ US$7)) |
| Pitmedden Garden adult ticket | £11 (≈ US$15) (concessions £9 (≈ US$12); National Trust members free) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £6–15 (≈ US$8–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No railway station and a thin Sunday bus: do not plan a Sunday arrival without a car.
- Gight Castle is an unsafe ruin — view it from the path, do not climb on the walls.
- Mobile signal is patchy: 4G on O2 and 5G on EE in the towns and approach roads, poor on Three and Vodafone.
- Estate opening days are seasonal and limited — check Haddo, Fyvie and Tolquhon before you drive out.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
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MethlickMaothulach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies here; the US consulate-general is in Edinburgh and most other missions are in London. Aberdeen has honorary consulates only.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 64, Aberdeen → Methlick: about 80 min, hourly Monday–Saturday, four on Sunday (check the fare)
- Inverurie → Methlick by car: about 20 min via the B9170
- Haddo House entry: £18 (≈ US$25) adult, £14 (≈ US$19) concession, free for National Trust members
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the everyday language; the village name comes from Gaelic Maothulach, possibly 'vale of honey'.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Methlick. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many estates closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ABZ: hire-car pickup times, bus 64 last departure, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Haddo House and grounds, Methlick village, Tarves and Tolquhon, Oldmeldrum.
- Place pages with verified opening days for Haddo, Fyvie, Tolquhon and Pitmedden, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Sunday and winter-closure fixtures so the estate and bus gates can go green.
Sources
- officialVisitScotland — Aberdeenshire
- officialNational Trust for Scotland — Haddo House
- officialNational Trust for Scotland — Fyvie Castle
- officialNational Trust for Scotland — Pitmedden Garden
- officialHistoric Environment Scotland — Tolquhon Castle
- officialStagecoach North Scotland
- secondaryWikivoyage: Methlick, revision 5301743 (CC BY-SA 4.0)