Long weekend in Aberdeenshire - where to go?

[FuzzyHeaded]

DH and I were thinking it would be nice to take a long weekend away towards the end of August, and we're thinking about exploring Aberdeenshire since we've not spent much time there. We have a 1-year old DD, we like historical stuff, are always happy to holiday somewhere with a nice bookshop and enjoy hiking, but will be limited to easier / flatter routes with DD. Anyone got any recommendations for where we should be looking at?

Look at Royal Deeside - lots of castles - Crathes, Drum, Braemar etc. Lots of nice scenic walks. Towns geared up for visitors - Banchory, Aboyne, Ballatar. Lots of self catering cottages and a smattering of hotels to cover most budgets.
Nature reserves include Glen Tanar beside Aboyne, and Dinnet just beside.
I think some of the castles and museums have not yet opened though.
It’s a half hour drive or so, from Deeside, to the NE coast - lots of nice beaches, rock pools, Dunottar Castle, at Stonehaven and nearby fishing villages.

Flat and buggy friendly: www.deesideway.org/

Aberdeen South Premier Inn at Portlethen is within easy reach of everything on Deeside if you have a car.