Aberdeen Things to Do

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The Castlegate is a small area of Aberdeen, located at the east-end of Union Street. Locals would consider it to be the square at the end of Union Street where the Mercat Cross and the Gallowgate are located.

At the upper end of Castlegate stands The Salvation Army Citadel, in a castle-like castellated mansion, on the site of the medieval Aberdeen Castle. Castlegate was the site of the castle gates until its destruction in 1308, hence the name of the area.

Aberdeen's Mercat Cross was built in 1686 by John Montgomery, a native of Aberdeen. This open-arched structure, 21 ft (6 m) in diameter and 18 ft (5 m) high, comprises a large hexagonal base from the centre of which rises a shaft with a Corinthian capital, on which is the royal unicorn. The base is highly decorated, including medallions illustrating Scottish monarchs from James I to James VII.
[Information from Wikipedia]

The Gallowgate which is just off the main square is where the city's gallows used to be located and public hangings took place.

To the west, just off the main square is the Castlegate Well. It is no longer used, but a small bronze statue has been erected over the top.

We hadn't intended to go tot he museum, but found ourselves outside with some time to spare. It's free entry with donation boxes.

The staff were very helpful indeed, and we were able to leave the pushchair at reception. There is a lift as well to get to the top floor.

There are various models and constructions of Oil Riggs, diver outfits and boats. There is information on the walls and various video displays to watch.

On the lowest level there is a dress up box for kids as well. On site there is a nice cafe and a small shop.

My first visit here was for my Rotary District’s annual assembly in May 11. It’s located to the north of the city, in Bridge of Don, on the Peterhead road. The usual combined exhibition/concert/conference complex.

They have a Holiday Inn and a Holiday Inn Express on site, and the city busses (services 1 & 2) come to within 200m.

The facilities were all good, and the sandwich/fruit lunch worked well for us. Quick, easy & filling.

Upcoming “attractions” when I was there included Iron Maiden and Britain’s Got Talent. I’ll skip that. Rotary may be dull, but I’m not that desperate.

UPDATE

Just back (Sept 11) from a Rotary conference here. We had a big formal dinner in the AECC, and it was excellent.

A good way to discover Aberdeen (or anywhere else in the UK) is to take a tour with an approved Blue Badge guide (contact the relevant tourist information office for details).

But if you do, its a good idea to have explored a little on your own first in order to get your bearings. The guided tour was the first thing we did in Aberdeen, and we were shown all sorts of interesting things about the back streets that we would never have noticed on our own, but not knowing the main streets meant that we didn't really follow some of the guide's explanations.

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On an Nice day like we had , we decided to drive around and spend our Day checking out towns , and came to see Crathes Castle.
Crathes is a magnificent 16th century tower house.The walled garden is really eight gardens, ranging from the formal to the modern. The massive yew hedges were planted as early as 1702, while the Golden Garden was introduced by the Trust in 1973.

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Three important buildings stand shoulder to shoulder in Aberdeen's Rosemount district known locally as Education, Salvation and Damnation. The first is the Central Library (Education) a fine building constructed with Kemnay granite, a local stone from bygone quarries. The library has an interesting archive section which can be viewed by appointment. The second picture gives some idea of Central Library's size & its sparkling granite in the sunshine.

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His Majesty's Theatre is known locally as damnation - but you won't be damned today if you visit this fine Edwardian theatre. HMT as it is locally known plays host to all the top London shows after they visit Edinburgh. The theatre also sees performances in Opera & Ballet as well as local plays & of course the Annual Student Show. HMT first opened its doors on the 3rd. December 1906, designed by Frank Matchim the interior has seating on four levels. There were major refurbishments in 2004 - 2005 creating a restaurant, coffee shop & corporate hospitality rooms. Free parking after 6pm can be found at Denburn car park behind the theatre on Spa Street. I have added another picture from our last visit which was to see the very funny Rocky Horror Show, even the bar staff dressed up for this one = we didn't, but it was a lot of fun.

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The Castle Gate is home to the Salvation Army's Aberdeen Headquarters - known as the Citadel. It was once the home of a Castle which was destroyed in 1342 hence the name Castle Gate. This magnificent building always reminds me of a fine old castle but in reality it was built as a Mansion House. When the winter sun shines directly upon this building you see the full effect of of a dramatic change from cold grey granite to the warmer colour of pink granite.
There are a lot of pubs and restaurants around this pedestrianised market square. In bygone times there was a weekly market, today, markets are still held here but not frequently, usually during the pre Christmas period, just as well really - the market spoils the view.

This is a great wee place, helping you understand the fishing and then the oil industry, so important to the lives and deaths of so many Scots locally.

Its a really wonderful place, and deserves its accolade of 5 stars, so do try to give it atleast an hour. It'll help you 'feel' and understand the area - and appreciate it.

Try to see these wee museums along the East Coast, in places like Anstruther and Fraserburgh (Fishing & Lighthouses, respectively) - they don't take much time, are easily overlooked, but really help you 'see' and 'feel' an area. So, if in doubt, stop, and check 'em out!

This is a great wee place, helping you understand the fishing and then the oil industry, so important to the lives and deaths of so many Scots locally.

Its a really wonderful place, and deserves its accolade of 5 stars, so do try to give it atleast an hour. It'll help you 'feel' and understand the area - and appreciate it.

Try to see these wee museums along the East Coast, in places like Anstruther and Fraserburgh (Fishing & Lighthouses, respectively) - they don't take much time, are easily overlooked, but really help you 'see' and 'feel' an area. So, if in doubt, stop, and check 'em out!