It is also one of ten constituencies in the North East Scotland electoral region, which elects seven additional members, in addition to the ten constituency MSPs, to produce a form of proportional representation for the region as a whole.

The seat was created for the 2011 election, and largely consists of areas that were in the former constituency of Gordon.

The other nine constituencies of the North East Scotland region are: Aberdeen Central, Aberdeen Donside, Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, Aberdeenshire West, Angus North and Mearns, Angus South, Banffshire and Buchan Coast, Dundee City East and Dundee City West.

The electoral wards used in the creation of Aberdeenshire East are: It was created for the 2011 election, mostly replacing Gordon.

This was the largest Conservative vote share increase at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.