Aberdeen Things to Do

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.

1 more image

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.

1 more image

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.

2 more images

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.

3 more images

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!

The museum is a five-star award-winning museum which tells the story of the city's long relationship with the Sea. This museum has a unique collection covering subjects of shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history, and is the only place in the UK where you can see displays on the North Sea oil industry.

The best part of it is that the admission is FREE!