Things To Do In Aberdeen
Visitors to Aberdeen love to wander through the streets admiring the unique granite edifices and taking in the historical sights like King's College, St. Machar's Cathedral, Marischal College and the Kirk of St. Nicholas Uniting. But there is also plenty in the way of attractions, museums, parks and gardens, and of course, there are numerous fairy tale castles and historic distillleries within easy reach of the city which should not be missed.
Gordon Robertson/FlickrGordon Highlanders Museum
Explore the history of one of the British Army’s most celebrated regiments, the Gordon Highlanders Infantry, which was raised in the late 18th century. The museum features the finest of the regiment’s treasures, special exhibitions and the chance for children to dress up in a Gordon Highlanders uniform. The museum is surrounded by a beautiful and tranquil park, open to visitors and also hosts a shop and a tea room.
Rennett Stowe/FlickrDuthie Park Winter Gardens
Duthir Park is one of the best loved parks in Aberdeen, housing one of the largest covered gardens in Europe. Exotic plants and flowers from both tropical and arid climates can be admired at the Winter Garden, including Britain's largest collection of cacti. Additionally, just outside the covered gardens there is a lovely Japanese garden that commemorates the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Lawrence Jackson/Shutterstock.comCastle Fraser
Travelers who have time to leave Aberdeen for a day trip should head out to Castle Fraser. A magnificent building dating back to 1575, featuring historic furnishings, paintings and embroidery, the impressive Great Hall, and a library filled with family books, as well as concert space, parks, woodland walks, a tea room and a children’s adventure playroom.
Ruth Black/Shutterstock.comCodona’s Amusement Park
Fun for all ages, Codona’s offers a raft of rides and attractions worthy of the best amusement parks. There is also an indoor entertainment center available, Sunset Boulevard, and a games and entertainment area called Miami Beach. Both are open year-round.
Bertl123/Shutterstock.comAberdeen Maritime Museum
As one of Britain’s busiest harbors with a rich maritime heritage, a visit to the Maritime Museum with its splendid views of the harbor is a must when visiting Aberdeen. Find out what it is like to work on a North Sea oil rig or explore the hundreds of ship models and exhibits about shipbuilding, whaling, life and work at sea, and learn about Aberdeen’s special relationship with the sea.
Oyoyoy/Wikimedia CommonsAberdeen Science Centre
The Aberdeen Science Centre is an immensely popular science and technology centre with entertaining, interactive and hands-on exhibits and shows that engage children of all ages and lead them to fascinating diskoveries about the world around them.
Chubykin Arkady/Shutterstock.comSt. Machar's Cathedral
There is evidence of there being some sort of church or chapel at this location as far back as the 6th century, though the building that stands there today dates back only as far as the XIV century. The cathedral's design is stunning,the highlights being the sandstone spires and painted wood ceiling.
Gordon Robertson/FlickrBrig o'Balgownie
Not far from the picturesque Seaton Park stands Brig o'Balgownie, Scotland's oldest bridge. This simple stone landmark has spanned the width of the River Don since the XIII century and was even referenced by Lord Byron, who briefly studied in the area, in his epic poem Don Juan.
Gordon Robertson/FlickrKing's College, University of Aberdeen
The King's College building is emblematic of the University of Aberdeen, with its iconic 17th-century tower that features a stone replica of Charlemagne's crown at its top. Founded in the late 15th century, the historic university building is a major draw for tourists, and self-guided tours are available on the website.
Heartland Arts/Shutterstock.comAberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen Art Gallery has comprehensive collections with works from the 17th-20th centuries. Both Scottish and international artists are represented, including famous impressionists like Monet and Renoir, as well as local painters like George Jameson, William Dyce, John Philip and Charles Rennie MacKintosh.
Reading Tom/FlickrMarischal College
Appropriately for the 'Granite City' of Aberdeen, Marischal College, which today houses the city's municipal offices, is the second largest granite building in the world, crowned by the 72-meter-tall Mitchell Tower. At night the side of the building is beautifully decorated with different light patterns.
Anton Kossmann/Shutterstock.comThe Kirk of St. Nicholas Uniting
This stunning church and the solemn graveyard that surround it date back to the XII century. Under the church there is an old crypt from the 1400's, which was used during the XVII century as a prison for women who were believed to be witches. Nowadays this membership boasts strong membership of both the Church of Scotland and the United Reformed Church.
Ikiwaner/Wikimedia CommonsGlenfiddich Distillery
Glenfiddich, which means 'Valley of the Deer' in Scottish Gaelic, is the world's best-selling and most awarded single-malt whisky, and about halfway between Aberdeen and Inverness lies the distillery, which can be visited and toured, and you can naturally sample and purchase delicious whisky.
Africa Studio/Shutterstock.comDunnottar Castle
Few places evoke the spirit of the Scottish highlands as poignantly as Dunnottar Castle, a ruined fortress perched atop rugged rocky cliffs overlooking the North Sea, just 3 kilometers away from the town of Stonehaven. The buildings that remain date from the 15th and 16th centuries, and the combination of ruins and setting make for a memorable feeling and experience.
Bill McKelvie/Shutterstock.comCraigievar Castle
Craigievar Castle looks like it was taken straight out of a fairy tale. Completed in 1626, it stands as a fine example of Scottish Baronial architecture, and both interior and exterior are jaw-dropping in their beauty, attention to detail and lavishness.
Targn Pleiades/Shutterstock.com