Getting Outdoors
There are plenty of hiking, running and
cycling trails dotted in and around Aberdeen, and outdoor fanatics
will have no shortage of things to do during their time in the
city. Kirkhill Forest, Gight Wood Reserve and the Bin Forest are
just three of the many outdoor havens located near Aberdeen, and
each offer magical walks and cycling trails of varying degrees of
difficulty.
Royal Deeside Tours and Hillgoers are two
companies that offer guided walking and hiking tours of such
reserves. They're ideal options for visitors that are wary of
taking on new landscapes on their own or who are traveling without
a hired car, as most of these areas are best reached by vehicle.
For snow sport enthusiasts, Lecht 2090 is a slope that towers above
the Eastern Cairngorms and is a popular ski spot during the winter.
Fraserburgh Beach is a surfing and water sport paradise during the
summer time.
Cycling in Aberdeenshire
VisitAberdeenshire
Golf
With courses stretched out over rambling beaches, or hidden
within castle-dotted forests, Aberdeen is likely to tempt even the
most unenthusiastic of golfers to a round. Some of the world's
greatest golf tournaments have taken place in the area. The Royal
Aberdeen Golf Club having hosted the Scottish Open in 2014, and the
Trump International Golf Links in Balmedie wears the title of Best
Modern Golf Course in Great Britain and Ireland.
The UK's highest golf course is housed at Braemer, which
straddles the majestic Cairngorms National Park, and it is even
possible to attempt a birdie at the royal's summer retreat,
Balmoral Castle. Come summer time, when this northern area gets
twelve hours of sunshine, it is possible to enjoy a full day of the
favourite Scottish pastime, before retiring to a nearby country pub
to enjoy one of the region's many fine whiskies.
Golfing in Aberdeenshire
VisitAberdeenshire
Malt Whisky Trail
The Grampian Highlands area is famous for its delicious malt
whisky, and the best way to explore this long-standing tradition is
by following a whisky route to eight different distilleries,
including the Glenfiddich Distillery that was founded in 1886.
Visitors can learn about the age-old process of coaxing different
scents, tastes and colours from a mixture of yeast, barley, peat
and water. Most distilleries offer tours and tastings but some can
only be visited with advanced bookings.
Glenfiddich, the most famous and popular, is worth visiting
alone if you don't have time for a full whisky tour. The renowned
distillery offers three different tours. The Classic Tour, which is
a fantastic introduction to the art of whisky making, takes an hour
and includes tastings, it is free of charge with no advance booking
required. The Explorers Tour takes an hour and a half, including a
more extensive tour and tasting session, this tour should be booked
in advance. The Pioneers Tour, lead by the senior guide, provides a
four-hour immersion in the world of the distillery and will delight
connoisseurs, affording the chance to taste whiskies up to 30 years
old.
Address:
Glenfiddich Distillery: Dufftown, Banffshire
Whisky still
Finley McWalter
Duthie Park
Created by Lady Elizabeth Duthie in 1881 to commemorate her
uncle and brother, Duthie Park is beautifully situated on the banks
of the River Dee and draws hundreds of visitors to its colourful
floral displays and 44 acres (18ha) of well-maintained grounds. The
park is famous for its Winter Garden, an indoor garden with a
spectacular array of tropical plants and cacti. The Rose Garden
with over two million plants and the stylish Japanese Garden are
not to be missed. There is also a boating pond, plenty of winding
walkways for a romantic stroll, children's playgrounds and a
restaurant. The park is great for picnics and often hosts concerts
and other fun events.
It's a great spot for those wanting some exercise, with joggers
traversing the paths, and people playing cricket on the lawns.
Although the gardens are most popular in the summer months, the
indoor gardens ensure that it is worth visiting in any season.
Other 'green lungs' worth exploring in Aberdeen include Hazelhead
Park, the Union Terrace Gardens and the Johnston Gardens.
Address:
Polmuir Road
Duthie Park
Iain Middleton-Duff
Brig o' Balgownie
Built from granite and sandstone, the single-arched Brig o'
Balgownie, stretching over the River Don, dates back to the 13th
century and was completed in 1320 during the Scottish War of
Independence. Although part of the bridge has never changed, it was
extensively renovated in the 1600s after it had fallen into
disrepair. It is a very picturesque structure and these days its
main allure is purely aesthetic, but for five centuries the bridge
was strategically vital as the only means of moving large armies
quickly along the east coast of the region. It also formed part of
an important trade route to the northeast of Scotland.
The bridge stretches for 39 feet (12m) and offers beautiful
views of the river. It is only open to pedestrians and bicycles and
is popularly used by students as a fun place to jump into the river
during the summer months. The area around the Brig o' Balgownie is
rather charming, with some quaint cottages, making it a lovely
place for a stroll. The modern Bridge of Don is only a 15-minute
walk away from the Gothic original, and the lovely Seaton Park is
also just a stroll down the path from Brig o' Balgownie. There are
plenty of pretty picnic spots located near the bridge or alongside
the river, making this a wonderful activity to undertake on a balmy
summer's evening or a crisp, wintery afternoon.
Address:
River Don, Old Aberdeen
Brig O' Balgownie
Gordon Robertson
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Situated on historic Shiprow, with spectacular views of the busy
harbour, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum proudly exhibits the city's
strong maritime history and its close connection to the sea. It is
an award-winning museum and is housed partly in Provost Ross's
House, built in 1593, which justifies a visit all by itself for
lovers of architecture. The city's significance in the North Sea
oil industry is explored, as well as the importance of fishing,
shipbuilding and sailing in the development of the area.
Displays are aimed at allowing visitors the chance to
investigate the working environment and duties of workers on
offshore oil platforms, and include collections of photographs and
plans from major Aberdeen shipbuilders, and various naval
paintings. Some interactive exhibits ensure that the museum is
modern and that children should be entertained by the content,
making it a good stop for families. A pirate mascot called Granite
Jack guides kids through the museum and there are quiz sheets
designed for specific age groups for younger visitors to fill out
as they explore. There is also a café and gift shop at the museum
for souvenirs and refreshments.
Address:
Shiprow
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Richard Slessor
Aberdeen Art Gallery
The Aberdeen Art Gallery was first opened in 1885, and more than
a hundred years later, continues to be one of the city's most
popular attractions. The gallery has a large permanent and changing
collection, housed in an impressive 19th-century building with an
exquisite marble interior. Highlights include collections of Modern
Art, the Scottish Colourists (including artists such as Leslie
Hunter and Francis Cadell), and the Post-Impressionists. The
collection spans from the 15th century to the present.
There is also a collection of local applied art and crafts,
including fine examples of Aberdeen silver. The collection of the
Aberdeen Art Gallery is extremely varied, ensuring that art lovers
of all kinds should find something to delight them. The gallery
also hosts a full programme of temporary exhibitions, lectures,
concerts and other events, details of which can be found on the
official website.
The Aberdeen Art Gallery reopened in November 2019 after
undergoing major renovations, with the revamped facility housing
more galleries and significant improvements to social spaces, such
as a new top-floor cafe bar and roof terrace. The work took two
years longer than expected and cost around £5m more than the
original £30m budget.
Address:
Schoolhill
Abderdeen Art Gallery
Stuart Caie
Balmoral Castle
No trip to Scotland is complete without a visit to one of its
magnificent castles, and Balmoral Castle - set on the banks of the
River Dee - is one of the best known and most prestigious. The
castle, with its fairy-tale turrets, is set on 50,000 acres (20,234
ha) of spectacular grounds, and the Royal Family has preserved the
surrounding wildlife, buildings and scenery since it was bought by
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852. A visit to Balmoral
includes access to the gardens, some exhibitions, the ballroom (the
largest room in the castle) and the grounds, but the Queen's Rooms
are out of bounds. Many beautiful works of art and royal treasures
are on display despite the limited access. The Balmoral Castle and
its estate are set within the Cairngorms National Park and offer
breath-taking vistas of the Highlands. An audio guide in English,
German, French and Italian is included in the entrance fee. It is
recommended that visitors allow at least one and a half hours for a
visit to Balmoral, and are advised that entry will not be allowed
after 4.30pm.
Address:
Ballater, Aberdeenshire
Balmoral Castle
Stuart Yeates
Aberdeen is one of the coldest cities in the UK, though it is
mild in comparison to much of northern Europe. Winters feature
average temperatures around 23°F (-5°C), while the days are very
short, with December seeing the sun for only six hours per day.
Summers are much more hospitable, with long days (up to 18 hours of
daylight) and mild temperatures ranging between 50°F (10°C) and
64°F (18°C). Precipitation stays fairly steady throughout the year,
although October and November receive a little more rain than other
months. The best time to visit Aberdeen is during the summer months
(June to mid-September), although visitors should be prepared for
sudden showers.
Aberdeen International Airport
Location: The airport is situated seven miles (11km) northwest of
Aberdeen.
Time: GMT (GMT +1 between last Sunday in March and
Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
Aberdeen and Inverness train services run from the local station
at Dyce, which is just a short taxi ride from the airport. The main
station is in Aberdeen city centre and services all parts of
Scotland and England. Regular bus services operate from the airport
to Aberdeen city centre, and the journey takes roughly 30 minutes.
Services are less frequent at weekends than on weekdays.
Car Rental:
Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis,
Europcar, Hertz and Alamo.
Airport Taxis:
Comcab taxis are available outside the terminal, where a taxi
marshal will assist you in finding a cab. Taxis can be pre-booked
via the Comcab website and arranged at the Comcab booking office to
the right upon entry to the terminal. The journey to the city
centre takes approximately 25 minutes in light traffic, and costs
roughly £15.
Facilities:
Facilities include left luggage, a bureau de change, bars, a
duty-free shop, business facilities, a children's play area, and
several restaurants. The Northern Lights Executive Lounge is
located on the first floor past security and can be prebooked
online. Other airport lounges include the British Airways Terraces
Lounge and the Eastern Airways Lounge, which is located near Gate
10. There are several restaurants and cafes around the airport.
Parking
There is short-term parking at Aberdeen International Airport
within walking distance of the terminal. Long-term parking at
Aberdeen International Airport can be accessed by a free shuttle
from the terminal.
Old Scottish cities like Aberdeen are fairly compact, so walking
is a good way to get to many of the sights in the city centre.
Longer journeys will require transport however, and many visitors
choose to take advantage of the city bus system, run by First
Aberdeen, when travelling to the suburbs. Tickets are sold by the
driver, and both single-trip tickets and day passes are available
(note that drivers do not give change). Taxis are also widely
available from ranks dotted around the city or by phone, and though
expensive this is the best mode of transportation in the evenings
when the buses are less frequent.
Aberdeen is a place that can be enjoyed by young and old alike.
One of the world's largest international youth festival takes place
here in the summer, with literature, jazz and traditional folk
festivals taking place in the spring. For history lovers, Aberdeen
has an abundance of museums and tours of its historic buildings.
Aberdeen also acts as a perfect hub from which to explore the
majesty of the Grampian Highlands, enjoy an extended tipple on the
Malt Whisky trail, or ramble around ancient Scottish castles and
historic battlefields nearby.
Aberdeen has a few worthy attractions to draw tourists in. The
Maritime Museum and Aberdeen Art Gallery are worth a visit to get a
taste of the local culture and history, while picturesque Brig o'
Balgownie, the lovely Duthie Park, and a number of other pleasant
green spaces in the city are at their best in the summer months,
May to August. The vibrant waterfront district also merits
exploration, as well as some of the lovely sandy beaches close by.
A little further afield is the malt whisky trail of the Grampian
Highlands, and Balmoral Castle, one of the most magnificent castles
in the British Isles.