visit aberdeenshire scotland

17 Must See Towns and Villages in Aberdeenshire

There is so much to see and do in Aberdeenshire, beyond the main city of Aberdeen. This post list the best things to do in the towns and villages in Aberdeenshire. 

Aberdeenshire’s towns and villages have been featured in films and are historically significant. Aberdeenshire has so much variety.

The east coast has significant castle ruins. Meanwhile, the north coast is home to some quaint fishing villages. High in the Cairngorms, you will find royal castles and distilleries inland. 

The towns and villages in Aberdeenshire are not far from each other and can be combined to make a nice day trip from Aberdeen . Aberdeenshire is one of the most spectacular regions in Scotland .

The towns and villages in Aberdeenshire are listed from south to north, in order by the coast villages then inland villages.

Saint Cyrus

Saint Cyrus is a romantic coastal village located on the southern border of Aberdeenshire. Situated perfectly between Dundee and Aberdeen.

Saint Cyrus is home to one of Britain’s richest nature reserves, St Cyrus National Nature Reserve. St Cyrus Beach is 3 mies long, running from the village to the North Esk River. 

This small village is also part of the Angus Coastal Route . One of Scotland’s hidden gems is located here, the Den of Finella Waterfall. 

At Saint Cyrus, there are stunning cliffs and sand dunes to admire. Also, there is a visitor centre or cliff path which will take you to the beautiful expanse of sand. 

If you are lucky you can spot dolphins, whales and porpoises. Meanwhile, on land, there is a variety of birds and butterflies.

St Cyrus Accommodation: The Cottage , Straton Cottage , Kittiwake

Things to do in St Cyrus

• St Cyrus National Nature Reserve
• St Cyrus Beach
• Den of Finella

Stonehaven is located a few miles south of Aberdeen. The town has a gorgeous harbour, with sailing yachts and plenty of places to eat nearby.

Tolbooth Museum is located in the harbour and it is the town’s oldest building. Also, the building has a fascinating history as a former courthouse and a jail. 

Stonehaven has a heated open-air swimming pool, which was opened in 1934. During the summer season, there are aqua ceilidhs and swimming under the stars with DJs. 

To the south of Stonehaven are Dunnottar Woods, Crawford Waterfall, RSPB Fowlsheugh nature reserve and Dunnottar Castle. 

Dunnottar Castle is a dramatic ruin located on a craggy cliff edge. This is one of my favourite destinations to visit in Scotland. 

Visitors can soak in the view or learn about the bloody history. Dunnottar was the inspiration for Disney’s Pixar animated fantasy Brave.

Stonehaven Accommodation: Lazy Puffin , Dalriada Lodge’s Garron , Dunnottar Woods House

Things to do in Stonehaven

• Stonehaven Harbour
• Tolbooth Museum 
• Stonehaven Heated Open Air Swimming Pool
• Dunnottar Woods

Banchory is the closest settlement in the Royal Deeside to Aberdeen which is 20 miles away. This is the perfect place to base yourself on exploring the area.

The Royal Deeside Railway is located at the Milton of Crathes Station. The original line from Aberdeen is recreated.

Steam and diesel locomotives take you alongside the River Dee with splendid views of the surrounding countryside.

Nearby is the lovely 16th-century Crathes Castle, with lovely sculptured gardens and walking paths. In the forest at Crathes Castle, adventure seekers can have a tree-top adventure at Go Ape and swing from the trees.

Drum Castle is another castle near Banchory. Both of the castles are managed by the National Trust for Scotland.

Finally, visitors can witness the salmon leaping in the Falls at the Bridge of Feugh, a wild rapid flowing through Banchory. 

Banchory Accommodation: Little Blackhall Lodge , Bridge of Bennie Cottage , Dallaire House

Things to do in Banchory:

• Crathes Castle 
• Royal Deeside Railway
• Drum Castle
• Falls of Feugh
• Scolty Tower

Haddo House and Country Park are six miles west of Ellon. Haddo House was built in 1732 and was the impressive stately home of the famous Scottish Architect William Adams.

Visitors can walk around the impressive estate, which features Victorian history, large lakes, a deer park and monuments. 

Ellon is famous for dominating the craft beer revolution. BrewDog is a famous Aberdeenshire craft beer and the t eam has been brewing in Ellon since 2007. 

Visitors can enjoy the Brewery Tour, and discover the history of beer and how the world’s most talked about brands are made. Afterwards, have a rewarding sample of BrewDog beer at the on-site bar, DogTap.

Also, stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh air at Newburgh and Ythan Estuary where you can catch a glimpse of wildlife. On the way, discover the tumbled-down romantic ruin of Knockhall Castle.

On the Sands of Forvie at the Forvie National Nature Reserve discover the half-buried remains of a 12th-century church. Newburgh Beach is home to hundreds of grey seals that sunbathe and play by the river mouth.

Ellon Accommodation: Hosefield B&B , Bo’s Boutique , The Smiddy Suite

Things to do in Ellon & Newburgh:

• Haddo House and Country Park
• Knockhall Castle
• Newburgh and the Ythan Estuary
• Newburgh Seal Beach
• Forvie National Nature Reserve

Cruden Bay is a popular stop for locals and tourists – day trippers and water sport enthusiasts. This beach involves a sweeping 2.5-kilometre expanse of pink sand. 

The ruins of the 16th-century fortress – Slains Castle overlooks Cruden Bay. The idea of Dracula was conceived here by Bram Stoker.

When you visit you will realise why the castle is said to be the inspiration for the creation of Dracula, this is an amazing experience.

Bullers of Buchan is a beautiful clifftop area north of Cruden Bay. The waves are pounding against the rock below and there are thousands of sea birds.

In the summer, you might see puffins and seals frolicking in the water below. It is an exciting memorable experience.

Cruden Bay Accommodation: Tigh-Na-Mhor , Room on the River , Craigievar

Things to do in Cruden Bay:

• Cruden Bay Golf Club
• Slains Castle
• Bullers of Buchan

Peterhead is located northeast of Aberdeenshire on the coast. It is one of the busiest fishing ports in Europe with over 400 boats and a bustling daily fishing market.

The Maritime Heritage Centre tells the tales of the sailors, whalers and fishermen. 

One of the things that Peterhead is most famous for is the Peterhead Prison Museum. At the prison, you can take an audio tour and learn what life was like for the prisoners and prison guards who served at the notorious prison. 

Just north of the village is the Loch of Strathbeg, where thousands of sea birds settle in the winter every year. This is a well-looked-after nature reserve and it is a must for any bird enthusiast. 

Peterhead Accommodation: Marina Bay Pods , Abbey Guest House , The Bothy

Things to do in Peterhead:

• Peterhead Prison Museum
• Loch of Strathbeg
• Buchanhaven Heritage Centre
• Maritime Heritage Museum

Fraserburgh

Fraserburgh is located at the north eastern tip of Aberdeenshire. This a busy port harbour and is the biggest shellfish port in Europe. 

Scotland’s first-ever lighthouse was built in Kinnaird Head and is now the location of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. The museum has the largest collection of lighthouse equipment in the UK.

The Fraserburgh Heritage Museum shows the rich history of the northeast Scottish fishing towns.

Fraserburgh Accommodation: Signature Apartments , Cheers Cafe, Bar & Tavern , Viola Cottage

Things to do in Fraserburgh:

• Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse & Museum of the Scottish Lighthouses
• Kinnaird Head Lighthouse
• Fraserburgh Golf Course

Pennan, Crovie & Gardenstown

These three fishing villages are amongst the best-preserved fishing villages in the UK. Located between Fraserburgh & Macduff – Pennan, Crovie and Gardenstown are all close to each other

Pennan is a tiny fishing hamlet, best known for the scenes in the British movie – Local Hero.

There are a dozen or so houses on one single tiny street. The payphone has been made a listed building.

Just to the west of Pennan, there is an RSPB reserve at Troup Head, where thousands of birds reside. At Hell’s Lum sea sprats escapes from a cave cut into the cliff, similar to smoke coming from a chimney.

Also, make sure to visit Cullykhan Bay – a sandy cover near the remains of Fort Fiddes.

Crovie (pronounced ‘Crivie’) is a small unique village and has been acknowledged as the best-preserved fishing village in Europe. Also, Crovie has the narrowest space between the shore and cliff in any Scottish village.

It is hard to believe that there is a row of homes sandwiched between the water and the cliffs.

There is no car access to Crovie and it is a very steep hill down to get to the houses. The locals need to transport their shopping in wheelbarrows from a car park at the top of the cliff.

Gardenstown

Gardenstown is located on the other side of Troup Head from Pennan. Centuries ago, the first houses of Gardenstown were constructed along the waterfront.

As time went on, further developments have been built further up the cliff in tiers. The view from the top of the tiers is amazing. 

Gardenstown Harbour was once a busy port but now is full of small creel boats and pleasure craft. Gain an insight into the old Gardenstown and fishing industry at the seasonal Gardenstown Heritage.

There is a gorgeous coastal path linking Crovie to Gardenstown. The path offers the perfect walk and opportunities to spot dolphins or whales.

Pennan, Crovie & Gardenstown Accommodation: Mill Shore Cottage , Crovie Cottage , Fisherman’s Cottage

Things to do in Pennan, Crovie & Gardenstown

• RSPB at Troup Head
• Cullykhan Bay

Banff is a small town located on Banff Bay looking across to Macduff. The town features many Georgian buildings and has attracted visitors for centuries.

Duff House is a collection of art from the National Galleries of Scotland. It is an 18th-century grand mansion built by the famous architect William Adam.

The house offers finely furnished rooms with extensive grounds offering pleasant parkland walks.

At the Banff Museum, visitors can learn about the fishing industry and how once Banff was the trade centre for manufacturers, weavers and silver makers. In addition, visitors can explore the outdoors and walk up the Hill of Doune. 

Less than a mile is the small town of MacDuff, the historic town is separated by a pretty seven-arch bridge over the River Deveron.

Macduff has lovely outdoor walks, an award-winning Marine Aquarium and Maritime Garden. 

Outside Macduff is the abandoned Tarlair Swimming Pool. This site is a disused lido at the base of a sea cliff.

The building is one of the least remaining Art Deco style buildings and outdoor seaside pools in Scotland . 

Banff & Macduff Accommodation: Ocean View , Harbour House , Seaesta Apartments

Things to do in Banff & MacDuff

• Banff Castle
• Banff Museum 
• MacDuff Marine Aquarium 

Sandend is a coastal village which dates back to the 17th century. There is a big long beach here, which is how the village got its name.

At the beach, there are remains of World War II anti-tank positions and pill box defences. This is a hotspot destination for surfers. Sandend is often compared to Cornwall, however, it is a lot quieter. 

Get even better views of Sandend Bay from Glenglassaugh Distillery. Glenglassaugh runs distillery tours where you can see first-hand the traditional distilling methods used in the distillery.

Findlater Castle is located a mile west along the coast. Findlater Castle is a crumbling set of ruins on a remote headland.

Sandend Accommodation: 11 Village , 36 Sandend Village

Things to do in Sandend:

• Glenglassaugh Distillery
• Findlater Castle
• Sandend Bay

Cullen 

Cullen is where the dish Cullen Skink was created. This is a famous delicacy which now appears on menus around the globe. You can not leave Cullen without trying it. 

The old Cullen Railway line is now a cycling and walking path. You will be rewarded with scenic views across Cullen Bay from the route.

The Moray Cycling Route goes over the old Victorian Viaduct. The Victorian Viaduct is a grade B listed structure and is a very photogenic landmark of Cullen. 

There are brilliant photo opportunities at Cullen Bay. The quirky Three Kings Rock Stack on Cullen Beach is said to mark the graves of three Norse Kings who died following a bloody battle . 

Cullen Accommodation: Emahroo Cullen , Craigewan Cottage , Hill Crest ,

Things to do in Cullen:

• Three King Rock Stack 
• Old Cullen railway
• Cullen Auld Kirk
• Sunnyside Beach
• Nelson’s Seat
• Bow Fiddle Rock
• Portknockie Cliffs

Huntly is well known for some of Aberdeenshire’s greatest food and drink products, including whisky, ice cream and shortbread.

The village of Huntly is located on the edge of the popular Speyside Whisky Trail, and visitors can explore the local whisky distillery – The Glendronanch Distillery.

Explore the ruins of Huntly Castle, once the majestic home to Aberdeenshire’s most prestigious Catholics, the Earls of Huntly. Robert the Bruce among many other famous faces who have sought refuge at the castle. 

Leith Hall is located seven miles south of Huntly. This stunning country house is run by the National Trust for Scotland.

The 286-acre estate has scenic gardens with flowering trees, shrubs, roses, fruit and vegetables. 

Huntly Accommodation: Drumdelgie Cottages , Woodside Steading , Oak Lodge

Things to do in Huntly:

• Glendronanch Distillery
• Huntly Castle

Alford is a pleasant small country park which is located in the middle of Aberdeenshire. The tranquil location, next to the River Don and hills of Bennachie and Coreen, is a lovely place to go to escape busy everyday life.  

Alford is home to one of the dry ski slopes in Aberdeenshire, located at Alford Ski Centre. Outdoor adventure seekers can use Alford as the base to explore other rural parts of the Royal Deeside.

Get outside and stretch your legs at Houghton Country Park and Murray Park.

Nearby is the majestic Craigievar Castle, the inspiration behind Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Craigievar Castle is a tall pink castle, with lovely turrets. 

Castle Fraser and Kildrummy Castle are two other stunning castles in the area. Follow the North East Castle Trail for more information. 

There is a lot of history in this town, visitors can learn more at the Alford Heritage Museum and The Old Royal Station.

In addition, Alford Heritage Museum is located right in the centre of the town, and vehicles from the early 1800s to the modern day are on display.

Alford Accommodation: The Coach House , North Mains Cottage , Steading Cottage

Things to do in Alford:

• Alford Ski Centre
• Alford Heritage Museum 
• Craigievar Castle
• Houghton Country Park
• Murray Park
• Castle Fraser
• Kildrummy Castle

Aboyne is a popular village to pass through as you are on your way to the Cairngorms National Park from Aberdeen. This idyllic village has lovely boutique shops, cafes and delicious local produce.

The Aboyne Highland Games is held annually in August every year. At the Highland Games, you can experience highland dancing, pipe bands, the caber toss and tug-o-war. 

In addition to the Highland Games the Aboyne and Deeside Festival is held here every year in July. There is a great selection of shops, restaurants, cafes and places to stay in Aboyne.

The Deeside Way is a 41-mile walk from Aberdeen to Ballater via Banchory and Aboyne. The route follows the path of the Old Deeside Way. 

Aboyne is the perfect destination for outdoor activities such as mountain biking, golfing, pigeon shooting, go-karting, archery and horse riding.

Visitors can go to the Mountain Bike Park, Aboyne Golf Course, Deeside Activity Park and Glen Tanar Estate.

Aboyne Accommodation: Cairngorm Bothies , Birchwood View , Dee View

Things to do in Aboyne:

• Aboyne Highland Games
• Deeside Way
• Mountain Bike Park
• Aboyne Gold Course
• Deeside Activity Park
• Glen Tanar Estate

Ballater is home to one of the most famous castles in Scotland. Balmoral Castle is the Royal Family’s summer residence, Queen Victoria used to live here, as she described ‘my dear paradise in the Highlands’. 

Nearby, there is Prince Albert’s Cairn, a large pyramid in the middle of the Cairngorms to mark the life of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband.

There is a route to follow with 10 other cairns on show, to mark the lives of Queen Victoria’s children. Also, there is a wonderful view of the royal residence – Balmoral Castle. 

Royal Lochnagar Distillery is an award-winning whisky distillery which neighbours Balmoral Castle. The centre of the picturesque village has many cosy restaurants and artwork in Ballater Gallery. 

Head into the outdoors and explore the area of the majestic Royal Deeside. A popular place to stretch your legs is the Muir of Dinnet, where you can view an impressive cave formed during the ice age called Burn O’Vat.

There is a large number of celebrations and cultural events every year. Victoria Week is a nine-day event held in August and is popular with tourists and locals.

Ballater Accommodation: Craggan , Cairn Leuchan , The Auld Kirk

Things to do in Ballater:

• Balmoral Castle
• Balmoral Cairns
• Royal Lochnager Distillery
• Muir of Dinnet 
• Ballater Gallery
• Ballater Golf Club

Braemar is a town in the Cairngorms National Park, at the heart of Royal Deeside. The Victorian town has many accommodation options, shops and restaurants. 

Braemar is a great place to base yourself to bag a few of the Cairngorm Munros . There are approximately 20 Munros in the area .

There are many lovely walking routes, cycling trails, woodlands and waterfalls nearby including the Linn of Quioch and Linn of Dee.

Braemar Castle is a 17th-century castle with an exciting past. The castle was built by the Earl of Mar and has been a hunting lodge, garrison and family home.

Braemar is a short distance away from Glenshee Ski Resort. Glenshee is home to the largest ski centre in Scotland. 

The Braemar Gathering is held annually every year. It is a popular sporting event which attracts families, tourists and the Royal Family every year.

Braemar Accommodation: Mar House , Cranford Guest House , Braemar Lodge Cabins

Things to do in Braemar

• Braemar Castle
• Linn of Quoich
• Linn of Dee
• Glenshee Ski Centre
• Braemar Highland Games Centre
• The Braemar Gathering

Other Towns and villages in Aberdeenshire :

• Aberchirder
• Ballindalloch
• Laurencekirk

How many towns are in Aberdeenshire?

According to Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeenshire is home to 18 main towns. The biggest town is Peterhead with a population of 19,060. Peterhead has a strong fishing harbour.

What are the oldest villages in Aberdeenshire? 

Crovie is believed to be one of the oldest fishing villages in Aberdeenshire. It has existed since the Middle Ages.

The village is very well preserved and not much has changed since. 

Where is the best place to live in Aberdeenshire?

Stonehaven has been nominated as the best place to live in Aberdeenshire.

The town is located on the coast and has a lively harbour with plenty of cafes and restaurants. Also, it is not a long commute to Aberdeen.

What is the biggest town in Aberdeenshire?

Peterhead is the biggest town in Aberdeenshire with a population of 19,060. Peterhead has a strong fishing harbour.

Inverurie is the second largest town with a population of 14,660. Fraserburgh is the third largest town with a population of 12,570.

Aberdeenshire is home to seven charming harbours along the coast. Also, there is plenty of charming town inland, at the Royal Deeside. 

Aberdeenshire is a great place to explore. There are plenty of pretty towns and villages in Aberdeenshire that are worth a visit. Also, there are a few great places to base yourself for exploring the Cairngorms National Park. 

The North East 250 is a great route which you can drive or walk to explore the best of Aberdeenshire. The Deeside Way is a long-distance walking route which follows the former Royal Deeside Railway.

Also, the Formartin and Buchan Way is a long-distance walking route that connects Ellon, Maud, Fraserburgh and Peterhead. The route follows a level track bed of a former railway line.

How to visit: Aberdeenshire

Posted on Published: 22 May 2019  - Last updated: 27 June 2024

With 263 castles, 165 miles of dramatic coastline & one very famous Count (Dracula, that is) here is why you should visit Aberdeenshire.

Have you fallen into the trap of heading straight to the west coast and bypassing much of Scotland’s east coast altogether? Then you are simply missing out. Before you plan your next trip to the west coast, here is why you should visit Aberdeenshire instead. 

This is a paid partnership with  Visit Aberdeenshire

• Aberdeenshire is frankly, huge – s till mostly untouched by tourism, Aberdeenshire has a gorgeous coastline, beautiful  Royal Deeside, the Cairngorms National Park and the quirky city of Aberdeen – at 6000 sq km, Aberdeenshire is the fourth largest region in Scotland and is perfect to explore on a road trip. 
• Aberdeenshire has 165 miles of coastline – from Stonehaven in the south to Cullen in the north, the Aberdeenshire coast has cute harbour villages, waves crashing over towering sea cliffs, and huge swathes of beautiful beaches to discover.
• There are 263 castles to visit – Aberdeenshire has more castles per acre than the rest of the UK – from the majestic Dunnottar, to the Instagrammable (and bright pink) Craigievar Castle and Balmoral, the home of the Royal Family in Scotland.
• The city of Aberdeen has pretty villages, street art and dolphins – plus anyone who thinks Aberdeen is the grey city is wrong – the city competes for the title of the sunniest city in Scotland, with nearly 1500 hours of sunshine a year.
• Aberdeenshire is famous for its food – did you know that enough oats are grown in the north-east of Scotland every year for 700 million servings of porridge? Along with beef from Aberdeen Angus cows, Aberdonian butteries, Aberdeenshire has some of the best food in Scotland. Hungry yet?

Things to do in Aberdeenshire

Looking for things to do in Aberdeenshire? Here is how to plan your trip.

1/ Go on a road trip

Fancy a road trip? Try one of these 3 Aberdeenshire Itineraries:

Want to see the best bits of Aberdeenshire? Drive the North East 250 . This epic 250 mile road trip takes you through the Cairngorms National Park to Royal Deeside, through the city of Aberdeen, and up Scotland’s east coast to the Moray Firth and Speyside around the spectacular edge of Aberdeenshire. I recommend driving the North East 250 over a 4 day trip.

Love beaches and coastal walks? Try the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail – drive the entire 120 miles of Aberdeenshire’s 165 mile coast from St Cyrus to Portsoy – visit Dunnottar Castle, stop for fish and chips in Stonehaven and the visit the tiny coastal villages hugging the Banffshire coast. Drive the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail .

Love mountains? Then drive the Snow Roads – The 90 mile ‘snow roads’ take you through the heart of the Cairngorms from Blairgowrie to Grantown on Spey, via Braemar and the edge of Aberdeenshire. The Cairngorms National Park has some of Scotland’s highest mountains and best walking in Scotland.  Drive the Snow Roads – why not go munro bagging along the way?

2/ Explore the Banffshire Coast

The Banffshire coast stretches from Cullen to Peterhead along the Moray Firth. With picturesque harbour villages, waves crashing over towering sea cliffs, huge swathes of beach, incredible changing light, a visit to Banffshire should be your first stop on your trip to Aberdeenshire. Don’t miss…

• Seeing the small boats at Portsoy – Boasting the oldest harbour on the Moray Coast (much of what was built in 1692 remains) the Portsoy fishing heritage is still celebrated at the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival , which takes place each year in June.
• Visiting the MacDuff Marine Aquarium – telling the story of the Moray Firth habitats, the aquarium has a unique kelp reef, daily talks and touch shows, as well as some greedy stingrays! Tickets for the MacDuff Marine Aquarium are Adult: £7.25 and Child aged 3-4: £2.90 – and are valid all day so you can come and go for the shows.
• Photographing Gardenstown and Crovie – the most picturesque of the Moray Firth villages – Gardenstown has a lovely 19th Century Harbour and Crovie has no road with the cottages are only accessed by foot.  If you want to take the popular shot of Crovie there is a car park at the top of the village with a good viewpoint of the string of cottages below.

More things to do on the Moray Firth

3/ Visit Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms National Park

The River Dee (famous for its Salmon fishing) flows from the Cairngorm Mountains through the heart of Aberdeenshire to Aberdeen. Sitting on the river are the Victorian towns of Braemar, Ballater, Aboyne and Banchory. Royal Deeside forms part of the truly spectacular Cairngorms National Park home to ospreys, reindeer, pine martens and red squirrels, and a seemingly endless artic tundra where temperatures can drop as low as -27 degrees… burrr! 

The biggest attraction of the Deeside towns are the Scottish Highland Games – visit the new Braemar Highland Games Centre to learn about the history of the famous Highland Games attended by the Royal Family each year. Then take a steam train along the Royal Deeside Railway on a 1-mile restored section of track -the return ride along the river takes about 20 minutes. V isit the newly restored The Carriage cafe in Ballater located within the Old Royal Station which once brought the Queen to the highlands, you can take afternoon tea in a traditional train carriage!

Feeling energetic? Climb Lochnagar – meaning ‘little loch of the noisy sound’ in Gaelic, Lochnagar is one of Scotland’s most dramatic mountains. You can either climb Lochnagar from Glen Muick (12 miles) or do the full circuit of the White Mounth Munros – a tough day out bagging five Munros (19 miles). You can also climb the second highest mountain in Scotland – Ben Macdui – the approach from Deeside in Aberdeenshire up Ben Macdui one of the best, but longest routes up this remote mountain (18 miles).

More things to do in the Cairngorms National Park

4/ Discover the quirky city of Aberdeen

With pretty villages, street art, dolphins and fine food, here is why you should visit Aberdeen:

• Discover Aberdeen’s street art  – see artworks from SmugOne and Ernest Zacharevic, along with the Painted Doors project. Visit:  The Nuart Festival .
• Dine with dolphins – order fish & chips at the Silver Darling and watch the bottlenose dolphins swim by.
• Visit the Brig o’ Balgownie – stroll amongst the pretty cottages and along the River Don to the Donmouth Nature Reserve.
• Explore Footdee –  a quirky & colourful fishing village at the mouth of the River Dee.
• Find the Powis Gate – visit Old Aberdeen to find this incredible Game of Thrones a’like doorway.
• Do the Aberdeen Festivals – from 10 days of Jazz and Blues performances at the Aberdeen Jazz Festival (March), to a celebration of Aberdeen’s dolphins at Dolphin Fest -there are 9 festivals throughout the year to enjoy.

More t hings to do in Aberdeen

5/ Go on an Aberdeenshire castle hunt

With more than 250 castles, it is no wonder Aberdeenshire is called castle country. These are my favourite castles in Aberdeenshire:

• Craigievar Castle – said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle, Craigievar is the star of many an instagram shot due to its bright pink exterior. Definitely one not to miss! Visit Craigievar Castle .
• Fyvie Castle – Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, Fyvie Castle has a stunning interior and a huge portrait collection – including works by Gainsborough and Sir Henry Raeburn and the £22 million life-size Pompeo Batoni portrait of Colonel William Gordon . Entry to Fyvie Castle is free for National Trust for Scotland members or £13 for adults.
• Dunnottar Castle – located just to the south of Stonehaven near Aberdeen is one of Scotland’s most famous castles. Perched on 200ft high sea cliffs and accessed from a tiny strip of land it is dramatic, foreboding and breathtaking. Dunnottar Castle is privately owned by the Dunecht Estates and controlled by Clan Keith. Entry to the castle is £7 for adults. Visit Dunnottar Castle . You can walk from Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle – stroll along the cliffs to Dunnottar Castle for great views of Stonehaven Harbour and the Black Hill war memorial. The return trip is 3.5 miles. 
• Balmoral Castle – the home of the Queen in Scotland is open from April to July for visitors. Explore the estate to find the Balmoral Cairns , historical memorials to the Royal Family including a huge stone pyramid for Prince Albert.

To visit the best castles in Aberdeenshire, follow the castle trail to visit Crathes Castle, Castle Fraser, and Braemar Castle. Download the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail route map .

6/ Go walking in Aberdeenshire 

From the coast to the mountains, there are lots of walks to help you explore Aberdeenshire by foot.

• Stonehaven to Dunnottar Castle – stroll along the cliffs to Dunnottar Castle for great views of Stonehaven Harbour and the Black Hill war memorial. The return trip is 3.5 miles. 
• Walk around the Pitfour Estate – with a lovely fishing loch (once home to alligators) and canal, visit at sunset for and follow the path around the loch (it will take you about 20-30 minutes) to a tiny Theseus temple with its water bath.
• Explore Burn O’Vat – explore the Burn O’Vat sunken cavern along a 4 mile walk through the pretty Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve.
• Climb Bennachie – pronounced “benna-hie”, Bennachie is a popular range of hills near Inverurie – climb the highest hill of the range Oxen Craig (528 metres / 1,732 ft) and nearby Mither Tap with its iron age fort for fantastic views of the Aberdeenshire countryside. The walk up Bennachie is only 5 miles but steep! 

If you haven’t hill walked before, read my guide to hillwalking in Scotland .

7/ Drink Whisky

Love whisky? Then try my two favourite Aberdeenshire drams…

Glen Garioch, Oldmeldrum – pronounced Glen Geery, Garioch means grain – the distillery sits in the Valley of the Garioch renowned as a barley producing region. Glen Garioch produces two regular whiskies – the Founder’s Reserve and a 12-year-old Bourbon and Sherry cask. Visit Glen Garioch Distillery .

Royal Lochnagar Distillery – awarded a Royal Warrant in 1848 after a visit from Prince Albert, Royal Lochnagar is located on the Abergeldie Estate. Tours of the distillery are available where you can try Royal Lochnagar’s 12 year old whisky. Visit Royal Lochnagar .

More distilleries in Aberdeenshire to visit:

• Fettercairn Distillery – one of Scotland’s oldest distilleries operating since 1824.
• Cardhu – the first distillery to be officially pioneered by a woman
• Glenglassaugh Distillery – a tiny distillery in Portsoy on the Moray Firth
• Knockdhu Distillery – the home of anCnoc whisky

8/ Discover Unusual things to do in Aberdeenshire

Pr efer to get a little off beat? Here are my favourite unusual things to do in Aberdeenshire

Count Dracula and New Slains Castle – New Slains Castle sits on the coast beside Cruden Bay and is said to be the inspiration for Count Dracula’s castle; Bram Stoker visited Aberdeenshire in 1895 and Dracula was published two years later. You can also see Bram Stoker’s signature in the guest book at the Kilmarnock Arms in Cruden Bay near the castle. Do not confuse Slains Castle with the one in Aberdeen – it is a Dracula themed bar!

Visit Peterhead Prison Museum – a visit to the Victorian HM Convict Prison Peterhead is o ne of Scotland’s best quirky experiences. Discover 125 years of prison life, meet the guards and learn the history of this fascinating prison and its dangerous inmates – along with the story of only time the SAS were used to end a domestic siege on mainland Britain. Peterhead Prison is Scotland’s Alcatraz. Visit Peterhead Prison Museum . Entry is £9 for adults.

Dolphin spot in Aberdeen city centre – Did you know Aberdeen is one of the best places in Europe to see Dolphins? The best time to see dolphins is in the afternoon and on an incoming/rising tide which brings in the food for the dolphins. RSPB staff and volunteers provide information on the Aberdeen dolphins from Thursday to Sunday at the Torry Battery from 11am-6pm.

9/ Visit Aberdeenshire’s filming locations:  

Love films and TV? Aberdeenshire has lots of filming locations for you to visit.

• Outlaw King (2018) – The Battle of Barra (or Inverurie) was fought by Robert the Bruce in 1308 against John Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan. Barra Hill is located to the south of Oldmeldrum, or as the local’s pronounce it – Old-meal-drum. Legend has it that Bruce was too ill to fight the battle, so he just sat on a rock and watched. 
• Mary Queen of Scots (2019) – Poldullie Bridge in Strathdon is famous for the scene in the movie where Mary is ambushed whilst stuck in a herd of cows. I’d honestly be terrified, I am not a fan of coos. 
• The Crown (TV series) – the most recent Netflix series of The Crown was filmed all over Aberdeenshire including Balmoral (obviously) and at Cruden Bay and Slains Castle.
• Whisky Galore (2016 ) was filmed in Aberdeenshire, Portsoy Harbour, Mill Beach and New Aberdour Beach in Pennan stood in for the island of Todday.
• Local Hero (1983) – the Banffshire village of Pennan represents an a-typical Scottish seaside village in the movie, Local Hero. Did you know the famous red phone box in the movie was actually a prop and was removed after filming. An outcry led to the phone box being returned – although it is in a slightly different location.

Where to eat in Aberdeenshire

Did you know that over a quarter of Scotland’s food and drink exports are from the North-East? Local specialities include Rowies / Butteries – a kind of salty croissant. These are my favourite restaurants in Aberdeenshire:

• The Boat Inn (Aboyne) is a cute and quirky pub beside the River Dee. Serving real ales on the bar and hearty soups, doorstop sandwiches along with vegan and veggie options, this is a great stop when exploring Deeside.
• The Kilmarnock Arms (Cruden Bay) serves locally caught fish in seaside village of Cruden Bay – they even have local lobster in summer. Bram Stoker visited the Kilmarnock Arms when he was writing Dracula – look for his signature in the guest book.
• The Bay (Stonehaven) – try traditional Fish and Chips at the Bay in Stonehaven, voted one of the Lonely Planet UK’s best food experiences.
• The Silver Darling (Aberdeen) housed in a former customs house, the Silver Darling serves up exceptional fish & chips from Peterhead and shellfish from Fraserburgh. With a view overlooking the mouth of the River Dee watch out for big ships leaving the harbour and pods of dolphins feeding in the bay. The Silver Darling is one of 9 Aberdeen restaurants in the Michelin Guide.
• Vovem Meat & Liquor (Aberdeen) like steak? Then head to Vovem, Aberdeen’s newest steakhouse. With sharing cuts, Argentinian grilling, Highland cattle cuts, and Scottish wagyu from Dunblane, Vovem hits all the meat lovers boxes. Veggies and fish eaters are also catered for – try the Scottish langoustines.
• Foodstory (Aberdeen) run as a community cafe, Foodstory is one of Aberdeen’s gems. Serving mostly plant based food, their menu is also mostly gluten free. Upstairs Foodstory sell veg boxes and zero waste refill goods.
• Meldrum Hous e (Oldmeldrum) a two rosette restaurant in a country house hotel offering up Scottish favourites such as scallops and Stornoway black pudding, Highland venison with sticky red cabbage, goats cheese wellingtons and stunning aged steaks from local butcher Presly’s of Oldmeldrum.

Where to stay in Aberdeenshire

My favourite places to stay in Aberdeenshire

Saplinbrae, Mintlaw * – At Buchan’s heart is the village of Mintlaw home to the Saplinbrae Hotel and Lodges perfectly positioned for exploring the pretty villages of the fabulous Banffshire Coast. Built as a coaching inn by Lord Pitfour in 1756 for visitors to his estate, with wood-panelled rooms, huge roaring fires, four poster beds, crisp dressing gowns and candle-lit dining, Saplinbrae Hotel has the country house feeling in spades.  

Meldrum House Hotel * – Sitting within its own 240-acre Estate, Meldrum House Country Hotel has its own wee herd of shaggy highland coos and 800 year old cave bar. Choose from suites in the old manor house, modern Scottish touches in the stables, or the super modern new wing and dine in Meldrum House’s two rosette restaurant before trying a dram of Glen Garioch, the very local distillery just down the road.  

Aberdeen Altens Hotel * – The 4 star Aberdeen Altens Hotel is a comfortable business hotel located to the south of Aberdeen city centre. With a spa and pool, huge rooms and comfy beds with all the amenities including wifi and Nespresso machines along with a bar on site, it is a good value stopping point for visiting the city.

How to get to Aberdeenshire

By train – there are direct trains from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen with Scotrail . The journey time is between 2.5 and 3 hours. Within Aberdeenshire there are trains to Huntly, Insch, Inverurie, Dyce, Portlethen, Stonehaven and Laurencekirk. Book your train tickets with trainline.com *.

By Bus – You can catch Megabus or the National Express coach services to Aberdeen. There are regional buses which will take you across Aberdeenshire run by Stagecoach .

By air – There are flights to Aberdeen airport from most UK airports, thanks to the oil industry. You can fly to Aberdeen from Cardiff, Bristol, Humberside, London, Manchester, Newquay, Norwich, Southend, Southampton, Durham and Belfast, and onwards in Scotland to Kirkwall in Orkney and Wick and Shetland, as well as flights across Europe. You can also fly to Inverness to visit Banffshire and the Moray Firth coast.

From the airport – The Jet Service 727 will take you into the centre of Aberdeen in around 40 minutes for £5 return. Service 747 will also take you to Montrose, Stonehaven, and Peterhead.

By road – Aberdeen is around 2.5 hours northeast of Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can also get to Aberdeen by the Angus Coastal Route . The drive from Edinburgh to Banffshire will take you around 3.5 hours.

Map of things to do in Aberdeenshire

Click on the icons for more info!

Kate Hopper

Love from Scotland is your guide to how to travel Scotland like a local. My name is Kate and on my site you will find everything you need to plan your perfect trip to Scotland – from destination guides to the best places to stay.

Friday 24th of January 2020

Nice to see Aberdeen being well reviewed, as a tour guide based near the city, I often hear of people having been told to avoid because 'there's nothing there'. You've clearly shown that to not be true!

Next time you're coming to Aberdeen, give us a shout and we'll help you find some of the less well known spots you've missed ;-)

You can get in touch via www.yourscotlandtour.co.uk

Monday 5th of August 2019

I can't actually believe there are that many castles. The food looks amazing too.

Nigel Taylor

Monday 3rd of June 2019

Great article, but please don't forget about us - www.visitmearns.com - we're in Aberdeenshire too.

Thursday 23rd of May 2019

Love how you broke it down into different themes - that just shows how much there is to do in Aberdeenshire and that there is something for everyone! The Muir of Dinnet is great for a walk - some of the best forest safari I've ever done!

tony johnson

It looks lovely. Not to mention that Aberdeenshire is bug free so no midges.

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Aberdeenshire Tourist and Visitor Information

Aberdeenshire stretches from "one of the last great places on earth" (the Cairngorms) to "one of the world's top-rated coastlines". So says National Geographic. 

The  VisitAberdeenshire  website has a wealth of information to help you plan your visit to the area. View our  visitor   management and strategic tourism infrastructure plans , for details on:

• How we plan to manage the expected visitor hotspots across Aberdeenshire
• Our strategic approach to visitor infrastructure development to alleviate pressures at visitor hotspots and enhance the visitor experience across Aberdeenshire

A range of Aberdeenshire   Tourist Trails  can be explored; Historic Bridges, Castles, Coastal, Secret Malts, Victorian Heritage, Stone Circles and Pictish Stones, with  further information also available on  VisitScotland.com . We also have the  Macduff Marine Aquarium . 

You might also find it useful to locate local   Visitor Information Centres ,   beaches ,  farmers' markets  and   public toilets   in the region. 

A taster of what you can experience in Aberdeenshire is the majestic   Royal Deeside   – also known as ‘Can Do Country’.

'The Wild North East – Scotland’s Natural Gem' is a short film promoting the wonderful wildlife and wild places in the region, from the Cairngorms to the coast. It was commissioned by the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership, of which the council is an active member and supporter. 

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Savvy Travel Advice

Aberdeen Travel Guide: 30+ Things to do in Aberdeen Scotland

Last updated: May 29, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 38 Comments

We’ve put together a travel guide about all the top things to do in Aberdeen Scotland. Aberdeen, nicknamed the Granite City, is Scotland’s third largest city. Although less known than Edinburgh or Glasgow, Aberdeen is a great city to visit if you are interested in seeing another side of Scotland.

We recently spent several days exploring Aberdeen and found that the city has a lot to offer visitors. Aberdeen has powerful architecture, beautiful gardens, charming historical districts, interesting museums (most of which are free!), good restaurants, internationally known golf courses, fun festivals, and even a beach! The wider area of Aberdeenshire is home to whisky distilleries, dozens of castles, the Cairngorms National Park, and some of Scotland’s best golf courses.

First, we’ll share all you need to know to plan your visit to Aberdeen including how to get there, how to get around, and where to stay. Then we’ll share our guide to Aberdeen attractions, highlighting all the top things to do in Aberdeen, from central Aberdeen to the surrounding area.

Table of Contents:

Basic Travel Info on Visiting Aberdeen 

Before we begin with all the attractions, here is some travel information that may come in handy. This includes advice and tip about getting to Aberdeen, getting around Aberdeen, where to stay in Aberdeen, and when is the best time of year to visit the city.

Where is Aberdeen?

Aberdeen is located in the northeastern part of Scotland, within the  Scottish Highlands . It is a coastal city with the North Sea (part of the Atlantic Ocean) located along the eastern side of the city.

Getting to Aberdeen

By Plane.  There are multiple flights a day in and out of Aberdeen Airport from destinations across the UK and Europe, and this can be a relatively cheap way to reach the city, especially if you book in advance with a budget airline. Aberdeen airport is 30 minute drive, bus ride, or taxi ride from the city centre.

The next closest airports are Inverness Airport and Edinburgh Airport which offer more UK and international connections.

By Train.  Aberdeen is well-connected by train from locations throughout England, Wales, and Scotland. You can check ScotRail  and  London North Eastern Railway  for local train services, routes, and to purchase tickets.

If you are interested in taking an overnight sleeper train (runs between London and Inverness), you can check the  Caledonian Sleeper  route and schedule as some services stop in Aberdeen.

By Bus. If you are in the UK and would rather travel by bus, there are daily coach connections to Aberdeen from a number of cities. Generally it takes longer to travel by bus but it may save you money compared to train fares or rental cars prices. You can check National Express for coach connections and prices. 

By Car. For drivers, Aberdeen is located about 105 miles from Inverness (about 2 hours, 45 minutes),125 miles from Edinburgh (about 2 hours, 45 minutes), 150 miles from Glasgow (2 hours, 45 minutes), 350 miles from Manchester (about 6 hours), and 545 miles from London (9 hours, 20 minutes).

Getting around Aberdeen

Aberdeen is an easy city to get around on foot and by public transit. The city center attractions can be explored on foot. The locations outside the city center such as attractions in “Old Aberdeen”, the University of Aberdeen, Footdee, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum can easily be reached by public bus, taxi, or car.

We’ll provide some guidance throughout the article about how far attractions are located from the city center to help you best plan and navigate the city.

It is easy to drive around Aberdeen but parking can be difficult to find around the city center and university areas, so we’d recommend using public transit or walking if possible around these areas.

If you need to call a cab while in Aberdeen, we recommend using this UK taxi comparison service to find the best rate.

If you are planning to use the bus in Aberdeen more than once or twice, we recommend checking out the GrassHopper ticket . The ticket is economically priced to allow for unlimited use of many of the local bus services for 1 day, multiple days, or even a week.

Most visitors will probably just need the ticket that covers the main zone around Aberdeen, but you can also get tickets that allows for travel around the full area of Aberdeenshire if you are planning some day trips.

If you are wanting to visit locations outside of the city such as castles, golf courses, whisky distilleries, or the Cairngorms National Park, the easiest way to explore is by car.

However, you can also get to many places via bus and there are also some guided tours you can take from Aberdeen to places like Balmoral Castle , Royal Deeside , the Speyside whisky distilleries , and Loch Ness .

Best time of year to visit Aberdeen?

Being a city, there is a lot to do in Aberdeen at any time of the year, with multiple indoor and outdoor attractions. Of course, the best time for you will vary depending on your interests as you may want to catch a certain festival or visit during a particular season.

In general, our favorite time of year to travel in Scotland is May, June, and September. The weather is generally decent and the attractions are not too crowded. However, Aberdeen is much less busy with tourists than Edinburgh, so it is a pleasant city to visit in terms of crowds year-round. 

Most attractions within the city are open year round, although many of the castles in Aberdeenshire have seasonal hours and many close during the winter. 

In terms of weather, it is generally warmer in the summer and colder in the winter, but it rarely gets hot. However, the marine climate means that it can have cooler summers and warmer winters than other areas of Scotland. Weather is fickle in Scotland and rain is a strong possibility year round. We’d suggest checking the weather forecast before you visit, and be prepared for variable weather by bringing plenty of layers and rain gear no matter when you plan to visit.

How many Days should I Spend in Aberdeen? 

We’d recommend spending at least  two days in Aberdeen to see the city highlights, but three days would be even better to really get a feel for this city and perhaps explore a bit of Aberdeenshire. So a long weekend in Aberdeen would be ideal.

Of course, if you can stay for longer as there is plenty to do in the city and the rest of Aberdeenshire, so you won’t have trouble filling your time! There are also plenty of great day trips from Aberdeen if you have more than a couple of days here.

Where to Stay in Aberdeen?

We’d recommend staying in the city center of Aberdeen to maximize your time in Aberdeen. Many of the city’s museums, attractions, theaters, and popular restaurants and bars are located in or near the city center. Most of the city’s festival events also take place in central city locations.

However, Old Aberdeen (around the university), the West End, and the harbor area are also nice places to stay, depending on what you want to see and do in the city.

There is a wide variety of accommodation options in Aberdeen  that should suit any type of traveler, including hotels , apartments , guest houses , and hostels . If you want to stay in the central area, you can check out this list of lodging located in the city center .

If you are looking for a well-rated city center hotel, we recommend checking out the Sandman Signature , Residence Inn , the Carmelite Hotel , The Station Hotel , and Jury’s Inn .

For centrally located B&B’s you might want to look at Bimini Guest House and Lochnager Guest House .

In terms of hostels, the well-rated Soprano Hostel has a great central location, offering shared dormitory rooms as well as private rooms.

For those looking for a good value apartment, we have stayed in this apartment hotel , which came with a kitchenette (option to cook when we wished), free breakfast, work space, and free parking. You can also check out a list of apartments, and vacation rentals in Aberdeen on Vrbo here .

If you are looking for a special place out of the city center, you might consider staying in these former 19th century lighthouse cottages near Aberdeen Harbor (4 night stay minimum during most of the year).

If you have a car and don’t mind staying a bit outside the city there are some really nice Scottish country house hotels nearby which include the Marcliffe House & Spa  (also a good place for afternoon tea), MacDonald Norwood Hall Hotel , and the Ardoe House Hotel & Spa .

Where to Eat in Aberdeen?

One of the things we were most surprised about in Aberdeen was how much we enjoyed the food. The city offers a range of eateries where you can find everything from vegan dishes to pub fare to fresh seafood. So whether you are looking for a quick bite on the go or a nice dinner out, you should be able to find a restaurant that suits.

Laurence has put together this guide to our favorite restaurants in Aberdeen which provide loads of dining suggestions for those visiting the city, whether you are looking for a vegan breakfast, a seafood lunch, a pub meal, or a fancy dinner out.

How to Save Money in Aberdeen? 

Aberdeen is a wealthy city that has earned its riches in recent years from the energy industry, particularly from North Sea oil . Although it can be an expensive city to live in, it is not an expensive city to visit.

Most of the city’s museums and major attractions are FREE! Almost all the city’s museums, art galleries, parks, and gardens are free to visit. Those museums and attractions that do have entry fees, such as the Aberdeen Science Centre and Gordon Highlanders Museum are reasonably priced.

The three biggest expenses for most people will be lodging, food, and evening entertainment. In terms of lodging, it is easy to find budget and good value accommodation throughout the city, even in the city center. If you are on a tight budget, you can check out local hostels like Soprano Hostel (city center) and the Aberdeen Youth Hostel (West End).

The local population includes both university students and wealthy oil-rich millionaires, so you can find food options that vary from cheap eats to pub food to fine dining. You can also save money by staying in an apartment and cooking some of your own meals.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy some of the local evening entertainment. You can often find free live music at pubs and free or inexpensive events at or around the University of Aberdeen (check this calendar for university specific lectures, concerts, and events).

Evening entertainment can be anything from live music at a club to a football match at Pittodrie Stadium to premium tickets to a performance at His Majesty’s Theatre. During the city’s many festivals, there are normally both free and ticketed events of varying price points so check the festival schedule in advance to plan your visit and pre-purchase tickets.

The only discount pass we are aware of is this one for North East Scotland , which gets you a discount at many attractions across the region. However, you will want to check that you plan to visit a few of the attractions to make it worth the investment.

There are currently no specific discount passes just for Aberdeen that we are aware of, mainly because most of the attractions are free to visit. But if you are planning to use public transportation, you may save money using the previously mentioned GrassHopper ticket . Also if you are planning to visit the Royal Deeside area, you might want to check out this Royal Deeside discount passport .

Where to Find more Information? 

For more information about the area, we’d recommend checking the VisitAberdeenshire official website , which has loads of information about visiting Aberdeen and the surrounding Aberdeenshire area.

We also recommend taking a look at this suggested 2 day Aberdeen itinerary that Laurence put together based on our own visits. Once in the area, we also recommend stopping at the city visitor center to pick up brochures and maps, as well as to ask about festivals and events. For more to do in Aberdeenshire, we recommend considering some of these day trips .

If your travels are taking you to other destinations in Scotland, we live in Scotland and have loads of posts on Scotland across our two travel blogs and you can find them all  here  and  here.

These include an Aberdeen itinerary , things to do in Edinburgh , information on visiting the nearby Cairngorms National Park ,  things to do in Glasgow , and tips for  planning a North Coast 500 road trip .

If you have a question about an upcoming trip to Scotland, just leave us your question in the comments section at the end of the post and we will happily try to help.

Things to do in Aberdeen Scotland

Use this list to choose the attractions of interest and put together your own personalized Aberdeen itinerary. We’ve divided attractions by those located in central Aberdeen, those located in Old Aberdeen, those located outside the city center, and those located within the wider Aberdeenshire area.

Things to do in Central Aberdeen

Luckily many of the top things to do in Aberdeen are located within central Aberdeen and can be reached by walking or by a short trip by bus, taxi, or car. If you are able, especially if the weather is pleasant, we recommend walking to get around the city center.

All the attractions in this section are located within a 20 minute walk from St. Andrew’s Cathedral on King Street (I’m using the cathedral as the center point of the city to measure distances). Most are located within a 10 minute walk or less, making it easy to visit several attractions in one day.

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

A good place to learn about the development of Aberdeen is the  Aberdeen Maritime Museum , which is located near Aberdeen’s dock area. Aberdeen has a long and rich maritime history with fishing and shipbuilding being two of its former primary industries. The first harbor in Aberdeen dates back to at least the 12th century and the Aberdeen Harbour is believed to be the oldest existing business in the UK! Today the fishing and shipbuilding industries have been largely replaced by the shipping and off-shore oil industries which still keeps the harbor active.

The museum tells the story of the city’s long relationship with the sea across 3 floors of exhibits. The museum covers everything from the beginning of the maritime industry to recent developments in the North Sea oil industry. The collection includes artifacts, maritime related art, and interactive exhibits. Part of the museum is in a modern building and a section is a historic building once lived in by shipowner Provost John Ross .

The museum is free to visit. It also has a cafe if you are in need of a sandwich or coffee before or after your visit.

Marischal College

Marischal College  was built in 1837 and served as the headquarters of the Marischal College and University of Aberdeen (now just the University of Aberdeen). The building was originally designed by Archibald Simpson and was later expanded and the front covered in granite by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie . The building is an interesting mix of styles and is huge. It is currently the second largest granite building in the world!

The building has not been used as an educational building for many years, and is now the headquarters for Aberdeen City Council. There was a small amount of information on the history of the building here when we visited but not much else in terms of public visits.

The interesting thing to do here for a visitor is to just to admire the long exterior as most of the interior is closed. The building can look a bit dull in rainy weather, but in the sunlight the building can sparkle silver. In front of the building is a statue of Robert the Bruce on horseback.

The former college building and the area around it have recently undergone lots of construction and restoration work. The building has been restored and the street in front has been pedestrianized.

There are a number of restaurants and cafes here and we recommend a walk around Marischal Square. In the public atrium of Marischal Square you’ll want to look up to see the leopard statue (Poised) designed by sculptor Andy Scott.

Provost Skene’s House

Provost Skene’s House is located near the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and houses a collection of furnished rooms that show visitors how people in Aberdeen would have lived in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The oldest part of the building dates back to 1545! The Tudor house was once the residence of the Lord Provost George Skene in the 17th century, which is where it gets its current name.

The historical house has a number of interesting features included carved plaster ceilings, wood paneling, and painted ceilings, and the museum also holds a collection of art and costumes. The house museum is free to visit.

NOTE: Provost Skene’s House is currently closed because of construction work on Marischal Square, so please check the museum website for the latest opening details.

Tolbooth Museum

The  Tolbooth Museum is a museum located in one of Aberdeen oldest and most interesting buildings, a former 17th century gaol (jail). The museum focuses on local history, especially as related to crime and punishment over the centuries.

The building in addition to being a jail, was also used for a number of other purposes, including as a town hall, a courthouse, and a council chamber. Despite its name, the building was not actually a tolbooth but was a Wardhouse which was located next to the former tolbooth.

The museum provides an interesting atmosphere to learn a bit about the town history, medieval punishment, and town laws. The museum provides thrilling stories of witches, the mass organized kidnapping and selling of children, prison escapees, and Jacobite prisoners who were interrogated and held after the Battle of Culloden. Some people believe the building to be haunted!

The building still has many original features and items including jail cells, torture devices, and a 17th century guillotine blade. You can also the town’s original mercat cross here near the entrance. It is free to visit the museum.

Note that the wax figures and stories of torture and punishment may be scary to young children. Also the museum contains a narrow, windy staircase that may be difficult for those with mobility issues, but there is a video presentation that can be watched near the entrance (ask at the entrance desk).

Castlegate Square & Aberdeen’s Mercat Cross

Near the Tolbooth Museum is Castlegate Square, where Aberdeen Castle once stood. The castle was used by both English and Scottish troops (including King Robert the Bruce and King Edward I), and it is believed that it was destroyed by King Robert the Bruce in the early 14th century. There is nothing left of the castle, but in the square you will find Aberdeen’s mercat cross.

The mercat cross denotes where the city was allowed to hold its market and it is where royal proclamations would have been announced. The mercat cross dates back to 1686 and was built by John Montgomery in sandstone. The large base is highly decorated with medallions representing 10 of the Stuart monarchs. The shaft is topped with a unicorn (the royal animal of Scotland). The shaft and unicorn are replacements but the original can be seen in the Tolbooth Museum.

Peacock Visual Arts

Peacock Visual Arts is a contemporary art centre, gallery, studio, print shop and digital studio located on Castle Street. The center promotes a variety of types of art in a variety of formats and provides a place for local artists to work and learn. They also have hands-on art workshops (e.g., printmaking, using a 3D printer, etching techniques) as well as showings where you can buy local as well as international art.

Although not a major tourist stop, it may be of interest to those with a passion for contemporary art and who enjoy checking out community art centers. We enjoyed watching a 3D printer in action as well as the activity in the print center. The center is mainly run by volunteers so if you are interested in visiting, it may be a good idea to contact them in advance as hours can vary.

It is free to visit although there is a fee to join most of the workshops.

The Kirk of St. Nicholas Uniting

The Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting dates back to the 12th century and was likely one of the largest and most important parish churches in medieval Scotland. Today it has members of both the Church of Scotland and the United Reformed Church and is sometimes referred to as “The Mither Kirk”  (mother church) of the city.

Most of the present building dates to the 18th and 19th centuries as fires and decay destroyed the majority of the original medieval buildings. However, parts of the medieval church still survive and archaeological digs have uncovered structures, wood, decorations, tombs etc. dating from the 12th to 17th centuries. Archaeological work here is ongoing, and the church contains information about this work and findings.

The church is free to visit although donations are welcome. It is regularly opened to visitors throughout the summer months, and visits can be arranged at other times of the year by contacting the church.

Aberdeen Art Gallery

The Aberdeen Art Gallery was founded in 1884 and is located in the city center in a building designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie. The large gallery contains a large collection of Scottish and international art, and is particularly notable for its collection of modern Scottish art.

In November 2019, the art gallery reopened in Aberdeen after a lengthy closure and refurbishment. It is more spacious with more room to display art now. There are 3 floors of exhibition rooms you can explore. Entry to the gallery is free, but donations are welcome.

There is a cafe here that is generally open during the museum’s opening hours if you fancy a cuppa, sandwich, or snack.

Union Terrace Gardens

The Union Terrace Gardens are a large sunken gardens located on the western side of the city center, near His Majesty’s Theatre. The park dates back to Victorian times and has an old viaduct located on one end.

The park has a variety of trees, flowers, and grassy areas as well as public toilets and places to sit. There are also a number of statues around the gardens, including a statue of Robert Burns along Union Terrace and statues of Prince Albert and William Wallace located across from His Majesty’s Theatre.

It is a pleasant place to wander around or sit for a break in good weather. Concerts and other city events are sometimes held here. The gardens are currently undergoing a major development which will likely change their look over the next few years.

Aberdeen Science Centre

The Aberdeen Science Centre  is a family science center that has a number of interactive science themed exhibits. They also have daily science talks and demonstrations that are free to join with your museum ticket. Exhibits cover a bit of everything from storms to gravity to music to insects, and there is something for every age group. The museum is fairly small, just one floor, so it is easy to visit even if you don’t have a lot of time.

There is a small entry fee to visit the science centre. Next door is a cafe that serves sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and drinks.

Aberdeen Beach & Boardwalk

Aberdeen is one of the few major cities in the UK to have a sandy beach! There is a large stretch of golden sand along the eastern part of the city.

When we first visited in winter there was a storm so very little of the beach was visible. But on subsequent visits, we’ve had a much better impression! But on a warm sunny day, this a very popular place for people to stroll and hang out. There is also a grassy area next to the beach known as Queens Links.

There are a number of attractions located at or near the beachfront, particularly for families. Along the Beach Esplanade is the city’s amusement park Codonas (includes amusement park rides, mini-golf, bowling, etc., some attractions are seasonal), restaurants and cafés (we can recommend the Sand Dollar Cafe), a cinema with 9 film screens, and an ice skating rink .

Also here is the Beach Ballroom, a beautiful Art Deco building with one of the best dance floors in Scotland. Opened in 1929, the venue continues to regularly host public and private events, including concerts, afternoon teas, ceilidh, plays, holiday parties, boxing matches, weddings, and other events. You can see what’s happening during your visit here .

The Kings Links golf course and the Aberdeen Science Centre (described above) are also located nearby.

Note that you can of course swim at Aberdeen Beach although the water is never really warm. If you want to swim, paddleboard, surf, or do any other water sports you’ll want to bring or rent a drysuit or wetsuit .

For those looking for a warmer family-friendly place to swim I’d consider going to the nearby  Beach Leisure Centre which offers a large leisure swimming pool, wave machine, and sauna.

The Aberdeen Beach is about a 15 minute walk from the city center. If you don’t want to walk, you can catch a taxi or bus to the beach.

Follow the Aberdeen Sculpture Trail

There are a number of wonderful sculptures in Aberdeen and you’ll likely see several without trying as you wander around the city. They range from statues of famous figures like William Wallace and Prince Albert to leopards and abstract bronzes.

Some of our favorites are:

• Robert the Bruce by sculptor Alan Herriot – This large statue depicts Scottish king Robert the Bruce on horseback. It was unveiled in 2011 and can be found in front of Marischal College.
• Poised by Andy Scott – This impressive steel leopard statue sits upon a 10 meter high steel column in the open courtyard atrium of Marischal Square. Be sure to look up! Scott is also the sculpture behind the Kelpies in Falkirk.
• Robert Burns by Henry Bain Smith – This bronze statue of the famous Scottish poet was unveiled in 1892 and shows Burns holding a daisy (a reference to his poem “To a Mountain Daisy”). We’re fans of Robert Burns and are always trying to spot statues of the famous bard, which you’ll find in pretty much every city in Scotland.
• War Memorial Lion – This impressive granite kitty sits regally in front of the war memorial in Aberdeen. It was designed by William Macmillan and completed by James Philip. You can find it right next door to the Aberdeen Art Gallery on the corner of Schoolhill and Blackfriars Street.
• Mannie – Mannie, or Mannie in the Green, is a steel figure that sits along Castle Street. He was originally placed atop the Castlegate Well at some point in the 18th century and was later moved, but is again located at Castlegate. Not exactly sure what he is meant to symbolize, but he has long been a historical landmark in the city!

The Aberdeen City Council have put together a city sculpture trail that will help you find the statues as you walk around the city. Most are located near the city center. It also helpfully notes which are possible to visit for those in a wheelchair.

Shopping in Aberdeen

If you want to do a bit of shopping in Aberdeen, you can find everything from souvenirs to designer clothing. The city has a number of shopping centers located within the city center, including Union Square, Bon Accord, St. Nicholas, and Trinity shopping centers which offer a number of well-known fashion, beauty, and homeware stores as well as cafes and restaurants.

In terms of good shopping streets, it depends on what you are looking for but Union Street (also known as the “Granite Mile”) is home to a number of well-known brands as well as independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Rosemount area of Aberdeen also has a number of smaller shops, cafes, and independent retailers.

Festivals are a great way to learn more about the city culture, meet locals, and have some fun. There are a number of festivals in Aberdeen, and you should check before you go if there are any festivals happening during your visit.

This year there are 10 official festivals being held in the city throughout the year, celebrating a range of things including performing arts, music, creativity, technology, dance, and old boats. You can check out the list of festivals and festival schedule here . There are also many other smaller festivals such as the Nuart Festival which celebrates street art.

During our last visit to Aberdeen, the Aberdeen Jazz Festival was taking place, which was a 10 day festival with events taking place in multiple venues across the city each day. The festival included large free public events as well as smaller ticketed events. We saw three different Jazz Festival shows which included a saxophone performance by from  Andy Middleton , an afternoon tea event with cocktails and vocal performances by the Vintage Girls, and a fun Saturday late night show from Fat-Suit and Werkha.

Evening Entertainment

Even if there are no festival events going on during your visit, there are also loads of other entertainment options. These include live music events, performances at the city’s theaters, comedy nights, cinemas (there are independent ones like Belmont Filmhouse and modern multiplexes), and of course there are a number of bars and pubs, as well as several nightclubs.

For those looking to dance, some popular local nightclubs include Babylon, The Tunnels (located underground!), ATIK, Underground, and NOX. 

For performing arts, check out this website for what’s one during your visit. Popular venues include His Majesty’s Theatre, Music Hall, the Tivoli Theatre, and The Lemon Tree.

If you enjoy football (soccer), then you might want to join the locals for a match at Pittodrie Stadium to watch the Aberdeen Football Club play. Scotland isn’t exactly great at soccer but the games are still a lot of fun. You can check the match schedule and buy tickets online here . The stadium is about a mile from the city center, but the Football Club operates Park and Ride buses on home game days to take fans to and from the stadium.

Things to do in Old Aberdeen

Old Aberdeen was for a long time a separate burgh and fairly isolated from the city, and it only become a part of the city of Aberdeen in 1891. Today the area is mostly made of the University of Aberdeen campus.  If you have seen all the things you wanted to see in the city center, we’d recommend exploring this area next.

Most of the attractions in Old Aberdeen are a  25 to 30 minute walk from the city center. So you can walk or take the public bus, drive, or take a taxi. If driving, be sure to pay attention to signs when parking as many parking areas are for university staff and students only.

King’s College Chapel, University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen dates back to 1495 and is the third oldest university in Scotland and the 5th oldest in the English speaking world! It was originally known as King’s College. It is a high ranking university and its presence in the city, along with Robert Gordon University, means that Aberdeen has a large university student population.

The university campus has a number of interesting buildings that date from the 16th century to today. The oldest building and one of the most notable is King’s College Chapel, which was built between 1498 and 1509, with its distinctive Crown Tower. The chapel’s crown has become a symbol of the university. Inside the chapel contains 16th century choir stalls and rood screen and the university’s war memorial.

The chapel is open to the public on weekdays and is free to visit. Regular services are also held here.

King’s Museum

The  King’s Museum  is one of the university’s museums. The small museum includes rotating exhibits of artifacts from the university’s collection that are used to illustrate history related to local culture, the university, the people of Scotland, etc. The museum is located in the 18th century Old Town House, the former home of Old Aberdeen’s local government.

The museum exhibits change every few months. Entry is free. Check the website for opening hours.

Zoology Museum

The Zoology Museum is part of the University of Aberdeen and is located within part of the university’s School of Biological Science building. The museum consists of two floors of specimens, models, and displays that represent everything from protozoa to giant whales. It is not a huge museum, but there is a lot to see and is great stop for those who enjoy natural history museums.

The museum is currently free and open to the public. It is closed on the weekends.

NOTE: The university in addition to the two museums mentioned often has other temporary exhibitions or art spaces elsewhere in the university if you have a special interest.

Cruickshank Botanic Garden

The Cruickshank Botanic Garden  is located just behind the Zoology Museum. The 11 acre botanic garden includes a rock garden, a sunken garden, a rose garden, and an arboretum. A pleasant place to wander around and enjoy a break. It is open year-round and is free to visit.

St. Machar’s Cathedral

St. Machar’s Cathedral  is the principal kirk, or church, of the Church of Scotland in Aberdeen. The present church (it is not technically a cathedral) dates to around the 13th century although it is said that St. Machar founded this site for religious worship in 580. It is the oldest building in active use in Aberdeen.

The church is made of granite with large twin towers and is a good example of a fortified church. It also has an interesting interior with stained glass and a heraldic ceiling. The church is probably best known for its beautiful wood paneled 16th century ceiling that contains 48 coats of arms. The heraldic ceiling has three rows, one representing the kings of Europe, one the Pope and important members of the church in Scotland, and one representing the King of Scotland and the powerful figures within Scotland.

Among the notable people buried here are Robert Laws , a Scottish missionary to Malawi and William Ogilvie of Pittensear . It is also believed that after Scottish knight William Wallace (the man Mel Gibson famously portrayed in the film Braveheart ) was “hung, drawn, and quartered”, that one of his quarters (the left one) was sent and buried here at St. Machar’s!

Entry to the church is free, although a donation is appreciated. The church also has a small gift shop inside, which is another way to support the property.

Brig o’ Balgownie & Donmouth Local Nature Reserve

Brig o’ Balgownie (formerly the Bridge of Don) is a stone arch bridge spanning the River Don in Old Aberdeen. It is believed that the bridge dates back to the 13th or 14th century (making it one of Scotland’s oldest bridges), although most of the bridge we see today dates to the 17th and 18th centuries. The bridge was the main way to cross the River Don until around 1830 when the (new) Bridge of Don was built. Today it is a pedestrian bridge and local landmark.

Although the true origins of the bridge are unknown, local legends say that the bridge was built by Bishop Henyr Cheyne and/or Robert the Bruce. Lord Byron mentions it in his poem “Don Juan”.

If you want to enjoy this area further and have more time, I’d recommend taking the riverside path located next to the bridge to the sea. The area where the River Don meets the sea is part of Donmouth Local Nature Reserve which includes a beach area and part of the riverside. The riverside path starts on King Street, then goes to the the Brig o’ Balgownie, and then alongside the river to the seaside. We saw several water birds here as well as a seal.

The bridge is located about a 20 minute walk from St. Machar’s Cathedral (or about a 45 minute walk from the city center). If visiting from the university area, you have a few options in walking there. You can walk across Seaton Park, walk along Don Street, or head along King Street until you reach the river and then turn left to join the riverside path to the bridge.

If you don’t want to walk, it is about a 7 minute drive or taxi ride from St. Machar’s. If you are taking the bus, you can take it to Donmouth Road and then walk to the bridge (it is about a 7 minute walk from the Donmouth Road stop).

Things to do Outside of Central Aberdeen

There are also a number of things you can do outside of central Aberdeen that are a 30 minute walk or further from the city center, including the Aberdeen Harbor area, war memorials, gardens, golf courses, and museums.

Here are our top picks:

Explore Aberdeen Harbor

Aberdeen Harbor is an interesting area to explore and we recommend a visit if you have good weather. The Aberdeen Harbour is believed to be the oldest existing business in the UK, dating back to the 12th century. However, the harbor is believed to have been in use since Roman times!

Today the harbor is still a busy place with oil/gas ships, shipping, small cruise boats, and ferries heading to and from the islands of Shetland and Orkney. There is also a good possibility to spot dolphins and other sea animals in the harbor area.

There are a few places around the Aberdeen Harbor area that might be of interest. From the city center, the main Harbor area and Footdee are about a 30 minute walk from the city center, Torry Battery is about a 40 minute walk, and Girdle Ness Lighthouse is about a 50 minute walk. You can also drive, or take public transit part of the way to visit these sites.

If you enjoy walking, consider taking this harbor hike around the Girdle Ness headland.

Footdee, often referred to locally as “Fittie”, is a small community that was once a fishing village. In the early 19th century the area was redeveloped and a housing development was built to house the local fishing community. The architect who designed the layout was John Smith , a Scottish architect who designed many buildings and structures within Aberdeenshire, including Balmoral Castle.

The initial homes consisted of 28 single-story thatched homes although that number was increased over time when further rows of houses were added. Each house has its own “tarry shed” which were originally all built out of driftwood.

Today, the houses have expanded and many now have slate roofs and many of the sheds have been re-built from brick. However, it remains a charming area that feels a bit like a village from another century. Many residents have added a lot of personal decorations and flavor to their sheds!

It is a small area and only takes a short time to walk around. Just remember when visiting that these are people’s homes and gardens, so be respectful of the residents when admiring their homes.

Nearby next to the harbor are some interesting buildings and artifacts like an old anchor, the Roundhouse (the former 18th century Harbor Master’s Station), and the Old Customs House. The former customs house is a now a popular seafood restaurant called The Silver Darling which offers good views over the harbor.

Torry Battery

The Torry Battery is an artillery battery that was built in 1860 overlooking Aberdeen Harbor. The battery was in use until 1956, including during World War 1 and World War II. It is currently in ruins but you can still see a lot of elements of the complex, including the entrance gate, sections of the walls, a gun emplacement, and barracks.

Today it is a popular spot for walkers and joggers, and there is a small car park here if you are driving. It is a good place to get views over the harbor with a chance to see dolphins, although you’ll need binoculars or a zoom lens.

South Breakwater Lighthouse & Girdle Ness Lighthouse

If you keep walking or driving past the Torry Battery, you’ll find a couple of lighthouses.

The first lighthouse is South Breakwater Lighthouse. It was built in 1815 and is still an active lighthouse. It is a good spot for dolphin watching, but be careful if you walk out close to it as it can be slippery and during storms the waves can entirely cover this area!

The second lighthouse, Girdle Ness Lighthouse, was built in 1833. The engineer was  Robert Stevenson , grandfather of the famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson. This lighthouse is also still in use.

Many of the building in the Girdle Ness Lighthouse complex are privately owned and you can actually book to stay in some of the former lighthouse buildings . One is the former 3 bedroom lighthouse keeper’s cottage and while modernized, it contains many original period features from the 19th century. A great spot if you are looking for a quiet place and don’t mind being outside of the city center.

Duthie Park & David Welch Winter Gardens

Duthie Park is one of Aberdeen’s best green spaces and is a popular place for locals to enjoy the outdoors. The 44 acre space opened as a park in 1883 (the land was donated by Miss Elizabeth Duthie) and contains open green spaces, trees, flower gardens, ponds, statues, a band stand, and the David Welch Winter Gardens.

There is also a nice playground area here with lots of slides and things to climb for the kids. There are playground areas for younger kids and older kids. Popular spot for local families to take the kids for some fresh air on the weekends.

The David Welch Winter Gardens are located within Duthie Park and are one of Europe’s largest indoor gardens. The gardens includes arid and tropical glass houses and house a large collection of exotic plants. They are particularly notable for their large collection of cacti. We were surprised at how large this complex was and really enjoyed these gardens which are definitely one of the best botanic gardens in Scotland. Entry is free and it is open year round.

There is a café, Duthie Park Café , located at Duthie Park that serves sandwiches, simple hot dishes, snacks, and drinks.

Duthie Park is located about a 35 minute walk or 10 minute drive from the city center.

Gordon Highlanders Museum

The Gordon Highlanders Museum presents the history of the Gordon Highlanders, a line infantry regiment of the British Army. The Gordon Highlanders have a history that dates back to 1794 when the regiment was raised by 4th Duke of Gordon. The Gordon Highlanders were an official regiment in the British Army from 1881 to 1994.

The Gordon Highlanders headquarters were in Aberdeen and thus the regiment played an important role in the lives of many people from northeast Scotland. The regiment served in a number of wars and conflicts, including the Boer War, First World War, Second World War, and Cold War. In September 1994, the Gordon Highlanders were amalgamated into the The Queen’s Own Highlanders to form what is now the  Highlanders .

In reporting on the Second Boer War  as a young war correspondent, Winston Churchill described the Gordon Highlanders as the “finest regiment in the world” based on his experiences observing them in action at the Battle of Doornkop in May 1900.

The museum serves to preserve the history and legacy of the regiment and presents information, artifacts, and exhibits that tells the story of the regiment. Visits start with a film and then visitors can explore the museum on their own. The museum includes interactive maps, a room filled with regimental silver, medals (including 11 Victoria Crosses), weapons, and a room set up as an officers’ mess room that includes a number of pieces of silver, china, and glass. The museum is housed in the former home of Scottish artist Sir George Reid.

We had an enjoyable visit here and learned a lot; there was much more to see here than we expected. The museum is a registered charity and staffed primarily by volunteers who were friendly and eager to answer our questions and provide additional information.

There is an admission fee to visit the museum. You can currently save 5% on admission by pre-purchasing your tickets online on the museums’ website. There is also a popular tea room on-site as well as a garden and gift shop.

The museum is located about a 50 minute walk or 15 minute drive from the city center of Aberdeen.

Johnston Gardens

Johnston Gardens is a public garden that was designed and planted with aesthetics in mind. The garden includes ponds, streams, bridges, trees, and flowers and has won the Britain in Bloom competition (Aberdeen has won the award several times). The gardens also contain a play area for children.

Unfortunately we did not have the best weather during our visit, but the gardens are a pretty place to wander around. They are a popular local spot for engagement and wedding photographs. Entry to the gardens is free.

Located near the Gordon Highlanders Museum, the Johnston Gardens are about a 1 hour walk or 15 minute drive from the city center.

Golfing in Aberdeen

The northeast of Scotland is where golf was invented and it is home to many of the world’s oldest and top courses.There are over 50 golf courses in Aberdeenshire, and we counted 8 golf courses located within the city of Aberdeen. So if you are a golfer you will have no difficulty finding a place to play and you don’t even need to leave the city!

The city boasts golf courses suited to all levels from novices to pros, and you can find a list of courses here . One of the best known golf clubs in Aberdeen (and in Scotland!) is the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club which dates back to 1780, making it the 6th oldest golf club in the world. It has hosted a number of championship tournaments, including the Scottish Open in 2014. Next door is the highly rated  Murcar Links .

A few of the city courses are located within walking distance of Aberdeen city center (e.g., King’s Link Golf Course is a 17 minute walk from the city center). However, you’ll probably want to drive, take a bus, or get a taxi to get to most courses, especially if you have your golf clubs and gear with you.

Things to do in Aberdeen: Day Trips from Aberdeen

If you run out of things to do within Aberdeen, there are plenty of things you can do on a day trip from Aberdeen. These include golfing, visiting castles, whisky tasting, hiking, cycling, driving a scenic driving route, and birdwatching.

If you don’t have a car, you can get to some places by bus or train, but you may want to consider a guided day tour as it will allow you to see more places as many don’t have good public transit connections.

Good places to check out day tours are Rabbies , GetYourGuide and Viator . Possible guided day tours from Aberdeen visit Cairngorms National Park , Royal Deeside , Speyside Whisky Trail , Balmoral Castle , the North East coast , and Dunnottar Castle .

If you are considering a day trip from Aberdeen, check our guide to the best Aberdeen day trips .

Here are some options to get you started in planning your Aberdeen day trip:

The Den & the Glen

If you are traveling with younger children, you may want to make a trip over to The Den and the Glen for a morning or afternoon of fun. It is a child-friendly park with indoor soft play areas and outdoor gardens that have been decorated with fairytale and nursery rhyme characters. A popular spot for local families. There is a cafe located within the park.

The park is located about 20 minutes by car from the city center.

Castles near Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a great base for castle hunters in Scotland as there are loads of castles in Aberdeenshire and it is home to some of the most famous castles in Scotland. Some are privately owned and not open to the public, but many of the castles can be visited. You’ll find a bit of everything from grand residences to ruined rock piles, and everything in between.

Many of the most popular castles in this area are owned by the National Trust of Scotland.  If you plan to visit several National Trust properties while in Scotland (includes over 60 historical sites in Scotland) you may want to take a look at the  Scottish Heritage Pass  (valid for travel between April to October) which gives you free entry to a number of National Trust and Historic Scotland sites.

There are dozens of castles you could visit on a day trip from Aberdeen, but here are some of our favorites:

• Balmoral Castle – This castle was built by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. It was completed in 1856 and has been the private Highland residence of the British Royal Family ever since. Although only a small section of the castle is open to visitors (the ballroom), the extensive gardens are fully open and there is an excellent audioguide that accompanies the visit here. If you don’t have a car, you can also join a guided tour from Aberdeen. Open to visitors during part of the Spring and Summer.
• Craigievar Castle – This pink harled Scottish castle dates back to the 17th century and was lived in as a residence until 1963. Today it is owned and managed by the National Trust of Scotland and open to the public. The castle still contains a number of original furnishings from the Forbes family. Visits are by guided tour only. Group sizes are limited so best to arrive early to pick up timed tickets. Open seasonally.
• Crathes Castle – This 16th century harled castle was the ancesterial home of the Burnetts of Leys until 1951. Today the house and gardens are owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Be sure to leave time to wander around the beautiful gardens. A  GoApe  treetop adventure course is also located within the castle grounds. Open year-round.
• Drum Castle – This castle’s tower house dates back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest in Scotland. A large extension to the castle was added in the 17th century and then further renovations and changes were made during the Victorian era. Our favorite room here was the massive library. Managed by the National Trust for Scotland and currently open year round (except for over the Christmas holiday season).
• Dunnottar Castle – This ruined medieval castle sits on a clifftop alongside the coast. The buildings of the fortress date back to between 1400 and 1600. The castle was visited by famous people like Mary Queen of Scots, was where the Scottish Honours (Scottish Crown Jewels) were hidden from Oliver Cromwell’s army, and it was where a number of Whigs were held as prisoners in the 17th century. It has been in ruins since the early 18th century. It is currently privately owned but open to the public. If you don’t have a car, you can also join this tour from Aberdeen which stops at the castle and explore the Royal Deeside area.

Note that many of the castle have seasonal hours and are closed in the winter months, so be sure to check the opening dates and hours before visiting. All of the above castles have designated parking areas and some are possible to visit via bus from Aberdeen.

Kirkhill Forest

Kirkhill Forest is a forest located just outside of Aberdeen that has a number of multi-use trails, hiking paths, a orienteering trail, and a mountain bike fun park. Popular spot for local hikers, walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.

Kirkhill Forest  is located about a 40 minute drive from the city center. There are also many other forest areas within Aberdeenshire that you can explore.

Golfing in Aberdeenshire

As noted earlier, there are over 50 golf courses located in Aberdeenshire! Aberdeen, which is home to several courses of its own, makes for a great base for golfing day trips for the keen golfer.

The courses are set in a variety of locations. Many of the courses include sand dunes and coastal views, although you’ll also find courses located in town centers, forests, glens, near lochs, and even on castle grounds. There are courses well-suited for all types of golfers from novices to professionals.

Some of the well-known courses in Aberdeenshire (outside of the city) include  Cruden Bay Golf Club , Trump International Golf Links , Banchory Golf Club , Peterhead Golf Club , Fraserburgh Golf Club ,  Deeside Golf Club , and the 9-hole course at Balmoral . You can browse a list of the Aberdeenshire golf courses  to find the courses that are best suited for you.

You can also visit courses outside of Aberdeenshire and still use Aberdeen as a base. For example St. Andrew’s is only a 1.5 hour drive away from Aberdeen.

It is recommended that you book your tee times, especially at the better known courses, as soon as you know the dates you wish to visit to avoid disappointment.

Drive a Section of the North East 250

Looking for a scenic and interesting driving route, check out the North East 250 . It is a driving route that runs just outside Aberdeen and runs through Aberdeenshire as well as Speyside and the Cairngorms National Park. The route includes castle, whisky distilleries, natural attractions, beaches, museums, golf courses, and much more!

Want to drive the entire route? Check out our 3 day North East 250 itinerary .

Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park in one of two national parks in Scotland (the other being Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park ), and the eastern part of the park is located within Aberdeenshire.

The park is a perfect place for hiking, climbing, biking, scenic drives, birdwatching, wildlife, and even  skiing in the winter ! You’ll also find a number of castles, cultural sites, whisky distilleries, and family attractions located within the Cairngorms.

It is about a 1 hour drive to the eastern edge of the park. You can also reach many of the towns within the park via bus (most are operated by Stagecoach ). This guided small group bus tour from Aberdeen also visits this area.

Whisky Distilleries near Aberdeen

Whisky is the spirit of Scotland and Aberdeenshire and nearby Moray are home to several whisky distilleries. It is easy to spend a day (or two) visiting distilleries and tasting the local whisky.

The closest whisky distilleries are  Glen Garioch Distillery  (only 30 minute drive from Aberdeen city center) and  Royal Lochnagar Distillery (near Balmoral Castle). Aberdeen is also within about a 1 hour to 1.5 hour drive of several other famous distilleries, including  Strathisla Distillery (home of Chivas Regal),  Glenlivet Distillery , Glenfiddich Distillery ,  Cardhu Distillery (part of the Malt Whisky Trail), and  Macallan Distillery .

Most of the mentioned distilleries have visitor centers and do regular public tours, but some you’ll need to book in advance. So check the website or call them before stopping by.

Also, note the Scottish  drinking and driving laws  are very strict, so almost all distilleries offer to-go sample cups for drivers and bikers. If you don’t want to drive, I’d recommend booking a driver or guided tour such as this guided small group tour or you can find a list of potential guides  here . A guide can also help you learn more about the local whiskies and help you put together a customized itinerary.

So there is our list of things to do in Aberdeen Scotland! Have you been to Aberdeen? If so, any favorites among the above or places you’d add to this list? If you haven’t visited yet, which of these Aberdeen attractions would make it on your itinerary? As always, feel free to ask us any questions you may have about things to do in Aberdeen or planning a trip to Scotland!

** Disclosure: We were supported on our trip to Aberdeen by Visit Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen Festivals who helped us put together our itinerary and arranged some tickets as well as our lodging in the city. However, we chose all the places we visited on the trip and have visited the Aberdeenshire area independently as well. As always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our  Ethics Code  about how we accept work.**

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Pat Freedman Post author

March 1, 2023 at 9:13 am

Hi Jessica, Your wonderful articles have already helped my husband and I plan a preliminary itinerary for a September trip to Scotland, and this Aberdeen article has convinced us to include 2-3 days in Aberdeen (taking the train from Edinburgh). But we’re having trouble deciding if we should just focus on the city of Aberdeen for those days or if we should do Rabbie’s day trip to Dunnottar Castle and Royal Deeside for one of those days, which would not leave much time to explore Aberdeen before we return to Edinburgh. The reasons we are hesitant about doing the Rabbie’s day trip is (1) the castle website says they may close on short notice due to high winds or other weather conditions and (2) I’ve read that there are 200 steps from the parking to the entrance, and that will be hard on my knees and both of our backs (my husband and I are in our 70s).

If we don’t sign up for Rabbie’s, is it possible to go on our own for a day to the castle and/or Royal Deeside? How would we get there, and where exactly in Royal Deeside should we go? If it’s too much trouble without the Rabbie’s tour, we will probably just skip those destinations and stay in Aberdeen for 2-3 days.

Our tentative Scotland itinerary is as follows (note that we already have a few castles included); I’d appreciate your feedback about the whole plan as well as the possible day trip from Aberdeen: Arrive in Edinburgh and stay for 4 nights, sightseeing in the city for most of that time but taking Rabbie’s day trip to Loch Lomond N.P., Kelpies, and Stirling Castle on day 3. (Thanks for your previous recommendation of that day trip and the timing!) Morning of day 5: Take train to Aberdeen and stay in city center lodging for 2 or 3 nights (3 nights if we are going to take the day trip to Dunnottar and Royal Deeside); sightsee in Aberdeen. Afternoon of day 7 (or 8?): Take train back to Edinburgh and stay 4 nights, with Rabbie’s day trip to Alnwick Castle, Northumberland Coast, and Borders on day 2 or 3 of this stay. Day 10 or 11: Begin Rabbie’s 5-day tour of Iona, Mull, and Isle of Skye (staying 2 nights in Oban and 2 nights in Plockton) Return to Edinburgh for 1 or 2 nights before flight home.

I know we have a lot of nights in Edinburgh as well as a lot of back and forth, but it seems the only way to see different parts of the country without renting a car. Also, we don’t mind having extra time in Edinburgh to both sightsee and relax between the various side trips. But feel free to suggest a way to make this itinerary more efficient. We can, if necessary, add a day or two to the trip. We will probably be arriving in Edinburgh the second week in September, but timing is flexible. Pat Freedman

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

March 2, 2023 at 9:05 am

In terms of Aberdeen, there is plenty to do for most people for 2 full days, just depends on your interests. Recommend staying central so you are within walking distance or a short bus or taxi ride away from all the places you want to see. I’d also see if there are any festivals or events of interst taking place during your visit.

In terms of should you do a day trip to Royal Deeside and whether you should do it as a tour or on your own, it really depends.

Yes, so there are A LOT of steps to access Dunnottar Castle so it is not for anyone with mobility issues as it is a bit of a steep hike. It has a lovely clifftop situation that is also very prone to being very windswept during storms. Given that most of the castle is in ruins, a lot of the area you visit is not covered and is exposed to the elements, which is why it can occasionally close during storms and high winds.

It is hard to predict weather, but I would probably consider the steps as the main factor. If those are concerning and you are already visiting a few other castles, this might be one to skip. It really just depends. It looks like you have at least 3-4 other castles in your itinerary?

So you can’t get all the way to Dunnottar Castle with public transit but you can get within about a 10-15 minute walk (Dunnottar Junction is closest stop) by taking a local public bus (Stagecoach main company here) so that could be a good option if you wanted to do it on your own. Or you can take the train to Stonehaven and follow the tourist path from the village to the castle, which takes about 30-35 minutes (or you could then take a bus onwards instead). You could also, of course, take a taxi although this would be pretty pricey.

So we’ve actually done that day tour with Rabbie’s and enjoyed it. It currently visits Dunnottar Castle, the Falls of Feugh, the village of Braemar in the Cairngorms National Park, and take a walk in the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve. It was a good mix and a fairly relaxing day. When we did it, it also drove by the Balmoral Estate and Crathie Kirk (Queen was in residence at the time and we watched her car go across to the church) although you don’t have a chance to visit them on this tour.

Some other things in Royal Deeside would be Balmoral Castle – if open to the public when you are there, you can typically visit the gardens, grounds, stables, and one of the big public rooms inside (but most of the castle is closed off to visitors). There is also the church across from Balmoral – Crathie Kirk – where the Royal Family worships when in residence at Balmoral. If open, it is free to visit (although you can always leave a donation). Golfing is very popular here.

There are also a few villages here like Ballater and Braemar. Braemar is home to the place used for the Highland Gathering that the Royal Family attends and the Braemar Highland Games Centre (you can learn about the history of the Highland Games and specifically those here). Braemar Castle is also here but I think it is currently closed to visitors as they do some restoration on it. This general area (Royal Deeside and wider Cairngorms area) is very pretty and a good place for walks and nature (one of the better places to spot red squirrels based on our experience).

If you want to see Royal Deeside, it probably makes the most sense to do a Rabbie’s tour as without a car, you will spend a lot of time changing buses and some places just are not very accessible without a lot of walking. But you can check the bus connections for specific places as it would probably be doable if you just wanted to visit a single village for the day.

Dunnottar Castle you can definitely do as a bus and/or train journey on your own and is easy to combine with a visit to Stonehaven. Stonehaven is a little seaside village that has a little museum, a lovely harbor, some nice walks, and a few little shops, cafes, and restaurants. A good place to stop for a few hours for lunch or coffee/ice cream and have a wander around.

One thing to note, that you already probably know, with all the Rabbie’s tours is that the entrance fee to most attractions is not included in the tour price. This gives you the flexibility to visit or not (on our Royal Deeside day trip a couple of people in our group decided not to hike up all the steps to pay to visit the castle but went up partway to get a nice view of the castle and the sea) and to also take advantage of any ticket discounts (e.g., student, child, seniors) or to use passes. So this is one advantage if you wanted to see Dunnottar but were not 100% sure if the climb was manageable or were worried about the weather (if closed due to the weather Rabbie’s would probably offer an alternative visit or spend more time elsewhere). But also something to keep in mind when doing your trip budget.

I think your itinerary is fine and I agree with having some downtime. I’d probably leave a free day after every overnight trip so you can have some time to rest and not feel pressured to sightsee. As the tours can be a bit tiring and jam-packed and the first and last days can involve long drives to get to and from Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a great city to wander around and there are a number of free things to do here that you don’t need to plan in advance from museums to parks to walking up Arthur’s Seat. Also lots of shops, restaurants, and cafes. I would just recommend staying centrally (in or near Old Town or New Town) so you have the freedom to easily walk around and explore (although you can save money by staying further afield and using public transit).

One easy place to visit by bus from central Edinburgh is Rosslyn Chapel if that is of interest (we used to live in Roslin) as it is about a 10 minute walk from the nearest bus stop. You can also take a bus or train to Glasgow (about 1 hour) and explore central Glasgow on foot.

Anyway, hope that helps and would love to hear what you decide to do about Aberdeen and the day trip.

Best, Jessica

Kirsty Post author

August 22, 2023 at 1:05 pm

This is probably way too late for the original question, but my 2 daughters and I have just returned from 3 days (4 nights) in Aberdeen. On one of the days we took the bus (Stagecoach, as you mention) from Aberdeen to Dunnottar Junction, walked to the castle but didn’t go in (none of felt like tackling the steps – twice, once to go in, once to come back) and still felt that we truly “experienced” the drama and beauty of the place. We then walked along the cliffs down to Stonehaven, had a delicious lunch and then caught the bus back. In other words, for anyone concerned about the weather/steps, it is still definitely possible, and in my opinion worth it, to go to Dunnottar without taking the steps (and if weather were even worse than what we got, you could simply take the bus to Stonehaven back from Dunnottar Junction).

August 22, 2023 at 3:28 pm

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!

Yes, that is a lovely walk from Stonehaven to the castle and you can get a nice view without going up all the stairs. When we’ve done it with Rabbie’s, I think about half the people just decided to tackle a bit of the stairs for a different viewpoint and were very satisfied without visiting. I do think it is worth a visit for those who don’t mind the steps as you learn a lot more of the history, see artifacts, and what is left of the castle, but you can definitely still enjoy it without going inside and doing the visit (and avoiding the steps)!

Note for those planning a visit that once up the steps to Dunnottar Castle, there are some more steps and a lot of uneven ground as you explore the various buildings and sections of the castle. So it is definitely not a great place for those with mobility issues or impractical footwear so be prepared.

So glad you had a lovely time in Aberdeen!!

Sandra Sharpe Post author

July 13, 2022 at 7:28 am

Thank you for this very detailed and interesting guide to Aberdeen. We will be in Scotland this October (2022), and I am searching my family history – my grandmother was born in Aberdeen, and I have the address of the home where she was born and lived. Am I able to reach you for further information about the city/area? Thank you again.

July 13, 2022 at 8:16 am

Glad you are finding our Aberdeen travel guide useful in planning your trip to Scotland. You are of course welcome to ask us any follow-up questions about visiting Aberdeen (or anywhere else in Scotland) here in the Comments section. We reply to all the comments we get!

In terms of researching family history, I would refer you to the Aberdeen Central Library and Local Studies. There you can find online and in-person information and resources. Folks there are able to help people research their family history and find local information. I would recommend getting in touch with them to perhaps set up an appointment when you are there. The Local Studies teams email, website, and phone numbers are listed on the Aberdeen City Council website.

If you have further questions, just ask us!

Alexa Post author

March 11, 2022 at 10:18 am

Thanks for providing such insightful content. Aberdeen is indeed a beautiful city and the information provided here will definitely help travelers and overseas students to explore the city in a better way. Keep up the good work.

March 13, 2022 at 9:40 am

Thanks for taking the time to comment and glad to hear that you enjoyed our article on things to do in Aberdeen Scotland! If you are traveling to Aberdeen, just let us know if you have any questions and we’re happy to answer them.

Arianna Post author

January 10, 2021 at 3:09 pm

Hi Jessica and Lawrence. I’m from Italy and I’ve been to Scotland several times; we’re planning to com back this summer for our honeymoon, with our two kids (2 and 13 yrs old) and I really want to visit Aberdeen, as I’ve never been there before. Well, let me tell you your blog post definitely convinced me to go! I usually don’t read many travel blogs but yours is different: it’s useful, vibrant and friendly, without being and endless praise to the places you’ve visited. I love your style, the info is accurate and the links work perfectly. Thank you again, keep up with the great job! Cheers, Arianna

January 11, 2021 at 10:16 am

Hi Arianna,

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave us such a kind comment! I hope that you get a chance to return to Scotland and visit Aberdeen. I think that if you enjoy Scotland and Scottish culture, you’ll enjoy Aberdeen. It definitely has a different vibe than Edinburgh and attractions and restaurants are not so crowded which is nice. Also nice that the city is along the coast. There are some great day trips that you can take if you base yourself in the city.

If you have any questions once you are able to actually plan the trip, just let me know and we’re happy to help!

Arianna Pernigoni Post author

January 14, 2021 at 8:07 am

Thanks forthe kind reply Jessica! I’ll definitely get back to you when I am actually planning the dates and the trips a bit more in detail. I’d also love to see the Highland Games, hoping they will be held this summer. See you soon then! All the best and congrats again

January 14, 2021 at 9:45 am

Yes, the Highland Games are a lot of fun and there are several ones you could potentially visit near Aberdeen such as the Abernethy Highland Games (Nethy Bridge) and The Braemar Gathering (members of the Royal Family typically attend this one). The last one we went to was the Abernethy one and it is a very traditional one and pretty informal; it was lots of fun. The Braemar Gathering requires booking tickets as it is very popular (because of the Royal Family) and is going to be more crowded and a bit more formal.

I would suspect that the ones in Spring and early Summer are not too likely to happen, but you’ll have a better chance with ones later in the year.

If you are in Scotland but there are no Highland Games going on, there is a museum in Braemar now that has information on The Braemar Gathering and the Highland Games in general that is interesting (more for adults than kids though). It is located at the site of The Braemar Gathering.

Just give a shout if you have further questions! Jessica

Martin Post author

February 13, 2020 at 7:55 am

Hi Jessica! Many thanks for this thorough guide to Aberdeen. Plenty of options indeed. I’d also love to incorporate some wind sports in my trip to Scotland. Is Aberdeen good for kiteboarding or windsurfing? Should we still plan our trip for May, June, or September to catch the best wind?

February 13, 2020 at 9:12 am

Yes, there is plenty to do in Aberdeen and the surrounding area!

I don’t think Aberdeen is that popular for kiteboarding or windsurfing, but is it possible if weather is right and can be done year round. I would contact the folks at The WindSurf Club which is based in Aberdeenshire for recommendations and to rent gear as they focus on windsurfing, surfing, and stand up paddleboarding. They can also rent wetsuits. The weather and wind conditions are not super predictable, but you could chat with the club members about when might give you the best chances.

But if you are really interested in doing wind sports while in Scotland, you might consider adding a trip to the Isle of Tiree or Kintyre peninsula. The western winds over the Isle of Tiree are some of the strongest and it is considered one of the better places for kiteboarding and windsurfing in the UK.

Thurso, along the very north mainland, is the best known area for surfing. For Thurso, best waves are in winter months (according to local surfers) but are also most dangerous then, but best in summer for new and intermediate level surfers. Rentals and lessons are available in the warm weather months.

Hope that helps! Jessica

Chris Beattie Post author

May 28, 2019 at 10:01 am

is it possible to get any printed brochures, guides sent to me in Canada. trying to plant our trip in August.

May 28, 2019 at 11:37 am

Hi Chris, we are travel writers don’t offer printed brochures, but you could try contacting the Aberdeen tourism office or Visit Scotland to see if they offer printed brochures to be mailed internationally. But feel free to ask us if you have questions as you plan your trip to Scotland.

Eric Wilson Post author

April 3, 2019 at 5:00 am

This Aberdeen Scotland Guide is impressive to read. Thanks!

April 3, 2019 at 10:32 am

Hi Eric, Glad you enjoyed our guide to things to do in Aberdeen. Just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your visit to Aberdeen. Best, Jessica

Emma Post author

December 28, 2018 at 1:33 am

Brilliant article just wanted to note tho that The Garage nightclub has now closed its doors and The Institute has rebranded as ATIK for anyone looking for these. I would also recommend Underground or Nox clubs. Paramount bar and the spiritualist also have great atmospheres for cocktails and more classy nights

December 28, 2018 at 9:45 am

Hi Emma, Glad you enjoyed our Aberdeen article and and thanks for the updates about the nightclubs in Aberdeen, there does seem to be a lot of turnover in that type of business. We have updated the post with the new info you provided! Thanks also for the classy bar recommendations, we haven’t been to either of those but will try to check one out on our next visit to Aberdeen 😉 Wishing you a wonderful Hogmanay. Best, Jessica

Marius D. Post author

September 26, 2018 at 1:57 pm

Hi Jessica,

great article and reading through it is reminding me of Aberdeen while I was in Scotland. In fact, I may come to Scotland this autumn for a week or so, I was just looking at some old pics of Scotland and connecting to a couple of people I met there while at the uni and I suddenly felt nostalgic for Scotland. I am talking about November more likely as I cannot do it right now because of financial reasons and I am waiting for two more salaries until then in order to afford it. I will sleep in Edinburgh, found a couple of good places on booking.com and will go (by train) to Stirling and also want to go to Loch Ness again so a guided tour to the Highlands will be good. First I was thinking about Hogmanay but the prices are too high and I am not necessarily a fan of big crowds and noisy environment, so mid November will be good, am a little bit afraid about the Scottish weather but then again in Scotland it is cloudy and rainy all the time….best, Marius

September 26, 2018 at 5:56 pm

Hi Marius! I am glad to hear you are thinking about visiting Scotland again, and do let us know. Yes, those sound like some great spots to visit, all highlights of Scotland for sure. For a guided tour of Loch Ness, we like this one from Rabbie’s that leaves from Inverness. Hogmanay is not a good time to visit if you don’t like festivals, crowds, and have a tight budget. I’d just avoid Christmas/New Years as well as August, and prices will be more reasonable most of the rest of the year. We’ve actually had an amazing summer in Scotland with lots of sunshine, warm weather, and little rain! It has been pretty unusual, but yes, I would expect some clouds and rain during your visit 😉 Best, Jessica

goblinette Post author

June 11, 2018 at 1:56 pm

This is truly everything one needs to know before going to Aberdeen. So much information in one post.

June 19, 2018 at 3:16 pm

Thanks, glad you found our guide to Aberdeen Scotland helpful!! Jessica

Anisa Post author

June 10, 2018 at 3:13 am

Wow I didn’t realize there was so much to do in Aberdeen. It’s definitely on my list to visit on my next visit to Scotland. I love how the museums are free and the churches look really impressive. Of course, I would love to go to Balmoral even if you can only see a little of the inside.

June 19, 2018 at 3:19 pm

Hi Anisa, Yes, there is plenty to do in Aberdeen for a couple of days and much more if you explore the wider Aberdeenshire area. It is one of the best areas of Scotland to go castle hunting, especially in the summer months (many of the castles are closed in the winter and low season). Balmoral Castle is nice to visit with a well done audio guide and the grounds and gardens are very pretty! There is also a good tea room/cafe there on the estate so an easy place to spend half a day! Easy to see why Queen Victoria loved it up here. Best, Jessica

Lolo Post author

June 10, 2018 at 2:51 am

I honestly never imagined that there was so much to do in Aberdeen! How wrong I was! Love the Scottish history and architecture and have wanted to visit for a long time! I would definitely hit up some of the distilleries!

June 19, 2018 at 3:24 pm

Hi Lolo, The architecture in Aberdeen is really interesting and is tied to a number of significant Scottish and British architects. There is loads of history in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as Aberdeen has a number of old buildings and structures and the castles in region date back from medieval times to Victorian times – you’ll find connections to just about all the major events in Scottish history.

Also plenty of whisky distilleries! Just a couple hours north is the Speyside area which is the best known whisky area in Scotland. If your interest is primarily in whisky, I’d recommend coming with a designated driver or doing a tour so you can sample as you go 😉

Anda Post author

June 10, 2018 at 12:12 am

I never heard of Aberdeen before, but I’m glad you introduced me to it. It looks like a wonderful place to explore and Scotland has been on my list for a long time now. Like always, your guide is extremely comprehensive, so I’m going to bookmark it. Thanks for sharing this, Jess.

June 19, 2018 at 3:26 pm

Hi Anda, Yes, Aberdeen is a great city to visit after you’ve been to Edinburgh and Glasgow as it shows another side to Scotland! Much less touristy and crowded than Edinburgh and still has a number of things to see and do. The wider Aberdeenshire area is great for castles, scenic coastlines, and golfing. Best, Jessica

Travel Lexx Post author

June 9, 2018 at 11:10 am

Really interesting to read about a blog post about somewhere other than Edinburgh! Aberdeen looks like an amazing place to visit with plenty to see, do and eat! I love maritime museums and try and visit these wherever I go. Love the museums and the beautiful architecture too! Need to get myself to Scotland!

June 19, 2018 at 1:46 pm

Hi Lexx, Yes, Edinburgh and the Highlands get most of the attention but there are loads of other great places to visit in Scotland like Aberdeen (as well as places like Glasgow, the Scottish Borders, east coast fishing villages, Stirling, etc.). Aberdeen’s museums such as the Maritime Museum are great places to learn more about the city and its history and they are also FREE! Hope you get a chance to visit Scotland soon! Best, Jessica

Tanja Post author

June 9, 2018 at 9:13 am

very extensive guide to Aberdeen, hope to visit soon! I’ve been to Scotland before but not this far up

June 19, 2018 at 1:40 pm

Hi Tanja, Hope our Aberdeen guide helps you plan your trip to Aberdeen. Just let us know if you have any questions! Best, Jessica

Sara Post author

June 8, 2018 at 7:39 pm

What an all-inclusive list! I think my favorite thing to see would be St. Macher’s Cathedral! It’s stunning in your photos!! (Really fantastic capture and balanced light!!) Scotland is so high on my list of places to visit, but I don’t know that I’ve seen a good flight deal in years… I keep holding out hope that it will show up with some of the London/Manchester/Dublin deals that we tend to see a few times a year! Saving this guide for when it does!

June 9, 2018 at 1:14 am

Hi Sara, Yes, St. Machar’s is one of my favorite places in Aberdeen as well, it is an interesting place with such a beautiful ceiling.

If you are coming from North America, there are not usually cheap flights to Scotland, so you are better off probably looking for a good deal to London or Dublin, and then taking a cheap flight onwards to Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, or Inverness). Flights are generally inexpensive within the UK and Europe especially if you book in advance. Or you can train or bus from London or Manchester. It is about a 4.5 hour fast train between London and Edinburgh .

Seana Turner Post author

June 5, 2018 at 9:07 am

Reading your blog has really gotten me interested in visiting Scotland. I was just telling my husband last night that we should plan a trip, and that I have this great blogger I follow who gives the exact kind of detail we need. So here is my question: if I’ve never been, and I have maybe 10 days, where should I go?

June 6, 2018 at 3:18 pm

Hi Seana! I am so glad that my articles have inspired you to visit Scotland. Of course, happy to provide advice. It depends a bit on your interests, what you like to do, and how fast/slow you like to travel, etc. so might be easier to chat via email. Then I can recommend more specific places. You can also search through my Scotland articles to get some ideas.

But for a first time (and maybe only time visit to Scotland) I’d suggest 2-3 days in Edinburgh (the city is beautiful and a must-see with lots of attractions), 3-4 days in the Highlands, 1-2 days in Glasgow (or Aberdeen) if you like cities (both provide a nice contrast to Edinburgh), 1-2 days in one of Scotland national parks (Loch Lomond or Cairngorms) and perhaps choose an island or group of islands to visit for 2-3 days (the Isle Skye is the most popular but you have Orkney, the Shetlands, Outer Hebrides, Arran etc.).

It really depends though on your interests and how you plan to travel (rental car, train, guided tour, etc.). If you or your husband like golf or whisky or clan history, etc. it could really change the above itinerary a lot. If you are looking for less touristy areas you might want to spend a day or two in the Scottish Borders, beautiful area with lots of ruined abbeys, lovely places to walk, and little historical villages.

If you want to email me (jessica at independenttravelcats.com) I am happy to help provide more personalized suggestions 😉

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Aberdeenshire , Itineraries , Travel Guides , Wildlife Encounters

Castles, street art & coasts: 13 places to visit in aberdeenshire in 3 days.

If you visit Scotland and want to see fairytale castles, a bustling city and seaside towns and lots of beautiful coastal landscapes, I have got just the region for you: Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire! There are so many wonderful things to do in Aberdeenshire, pleasing history buffs, beach lovers, wildlife watchers, city hoppers and outdoor freaks alike. It would be a shame not to include it in your Scotland trip. My 3-day itinerary includes 13 places to visit in Aberdeenshire on a day in the city, a day on the Coastal Trail and a day in the Royal Deeside.

This post contains affiliate links which I may make a commission from. Find out more here . This post is sponsored by VisitAberdeenshire and Aberdeen Festivals. All opinions are my own.

Aberdeenshire is one of my favourite regions in Scotland. It has everything that I love: adventure, scenery, history, fantastic vegan food and of course street art. I visited the area for the first time 2 years ago, when my mum wanted to see a different side of Scotland – beyond the Highlands and islands. Off to the northeast coast, we went and spent a few days in Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, and Fife. You can find out more about our weeklong road trip in  this post .

Now, this 3-day itinerary is going to be a lot more focused and absolutely jam-packed with ideas for things to do in Aberdeenshire. It is perfect to mix and match with a few of my other Scotland itineraries, or if you want to take it a bit slower, you could easily stretch this route to a week-long road trip to Aberdeenshire too. With that said, I only had three days to explore Aberdeenshire and managed to fit in quite a lot of unforgettable experiences!

The Royal Deeside and the Aberdeenshire coast are stops on my East Scotland itinerary . If you like what you read here, follow it on your next trip!

Places to Visit in Aberdeenshire Map

Day 1: Arriving in Aberdeenshire & One Day in Aberdeen

The quickest way from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Aberdeen is to drive north to Perth and then follow the A90 for around 80 miles – but who has ever had a great adventure on the quickest way? Instead, I left the big road behind and drove along the lower part of the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail to explore the coast south of Aberdeen.

Johnshaven is one of seven harbours in Aberdeenshire and was once one of the largest fishing communities in Scotland. The Benholm and Johnshaven Heritage Museum tells the history of that time and captures both, the spirit of the industry as well as the seaside culture surrounding it.

Today the beautiful historic coastal town is a wonderful stop on the drive up north. The village boasts beautiful harbour views and it’s worth browsing artist shops filled with local arts and crafts. Little lanes run between the small cottages near the harbour and you never know what you will find – a secret garden? a hidden pathway to the shore? or a quirky art installation?

There is a lovely coastal path leading out to a picturesque white cottage south of the village from where you get great views over into the next bay – perfect to stretch your legs after a couple of hours in the car!

Dunnottar Castle

Dunnottar Castle might just be the most spectacular seaside castle in Scotland and certainly one of my favourites to photograph and learn about Scottish history. Sitting on a high clifftop on a headland near Stonehaven, the castle overlooks the sea and offers stunning views of the coast and beaches below it. It is the kind of place that makes you want to fly a drone!

If you are serious about photographing Dunnottar Castle, find out about the best drones for travel !

The castle is open to the public (tickets are £7), but the network of coastal trails around it is free to access – photographers will love capturing the castle and the sea from all angles. Whether you have time for an in-depth castle visit, to learn about its unique position during the Jacobite Uprisings, or just have half an hour to walk along the cliffs to take in the views, your Aberdeenshire itinerary would not be complete without visiting this castle.

Since the car park at the castle is relatively small, it is advisable to walk to Dunnottar Castle from the neighbouring town of Stonehaven. Following the coastal path connecting Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle, you come by an impressive WW1 war memorial and a picture-perfect viewpoint of Stonehaven. Remember that you have to walk back to your car though, so it’s best to schedule several hours for this walk!

Opening Times: April – September, daily, 9.00 – 17.30 October to March, daily from 10.00 (varying closing times – check website)

Love the east coast? Explore the Scottish Borders and use my Melrose guide to plan your trip.

Stonehaven is a picturesque harbour town 15 miles south of Aberdeen. It has three large basins, which makes it the largest recreational harbour in Aberdeenshire where people keep their boats, start kayak adventures along the coast, or rent paddleboards to explore the sea.

I stopped in Stonehaven after visiting Dunnottar Castle – if you’re into fish & chips try the local fave The Bay Fish & Chips, or choose a sweet ice cream treat at Aunt Betty’s next door (vegan ice cream and sorbets available).

Aunt Betty’s, Beach Road, Stonehaven AB39 2RD, Facebook The Bay Fish & Chips, Beach Rd, Stonehaven AB39 2RD, website

You might also like:  15 Things to do in Stonehaven

After checking into my apartment at Skene House Rosemount hotel (more info below), I was ready to explore as much of Aberdeen as I could. I had visited Aberdeen before – once to see the University campus, once for a gig, once for a uni workshop and just a few months ago after hiking the Speyside Way  – but I never spent much time exploring the city in much detail – this was about to change!

But first, I needed lunch and paid a visit to the first vegan cafe in Aberdeen – conveniently located around the corner of my hotel. Bonobo Cafe  is a worker’s co-op and dishes up everything from light or hearty cooked breakfasts to wraps, sandwiches, stews, soups and several other mains and specials. I opted for a vegan “tuna” sandwich and enjoyed it in the tranquil atmosphere of the cafe’s green roof-top garden.

73-75 Skene St, Aberdeen AB10 1QD

Another vegan option around the corner from Skene House and Bonobo is another vegan and vegetarian cafe called Bio Cafe .

I continued my city trip by seeking out more green spaces of Aberdeen. The area of Old Aberdeen covers not only the University of Aberdeen campus (which I knew only too well from a previous visit) but is also home to the Botanic Garden and Seaton Park . The park is a must-visit for anyone who loves flowers and greenery. It features landscaped gardens, floral displays, a woodlands area, a walled garden and much for space for leisure and play.

If you cross the park and follow Don Street north towards the River Don, you will eventually end up in Balgownie, a beautiful heritage neighbourhood of Old Aberdeen. A must-see is the Brig o’ Balgownie and the surrounding cobbled streets – it’s like stepping back in time.

Back in central Aberdeen, I went from old to new. Aberdeen can be quite a grey city as most of the buildings in the city centre are built from light-grey granite stone. While this would not bother anyone on a sunny day, it can be a bit monotonous on a dreich (rainy) day – but luckily Aberdonians have found a solution for that.

Every year, they invite local and international artists to join the Nuart street art festival and add more splashes of colour to the grey cityscape. Nuart has put together a handy street art trail map which you can follow to see the large murals across the city centre.

However, also make sure to keep an eye out for other pieces of street art. The Painted Doors project , for example, shines a light on local artists who are invited to decorate a door with their art.

While following the street art trail, I came across the Aberdeen Inspired Night Market , a food market held at The Green throughout the summer and stopped for some street food for dinner .

When you’re done with Aberdeenshire – visit St Andrews in Fife !

Day 2: One Day on the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail

Sights and activities rub their shoulders along the Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail – it really is jam-packed with things to do! Since I only had one day for my coastal road trip in Aberdeenshire, I had to choose wisely where to stop. The below suggestions are things I enjoy doing, but you might like different activities.

Make sure to check out some alternative things to do in northeast Scotland here .

Newburgh Beach

The coast of Aberdeenshire is certainly not shy of sandy dunes and endless beaches, but if you had to choose just one beach to visit, and you are into wildlife experiences, make it Newburgh Beach!

After a short walk through the dunes beyond the golf course, you reach the sandy banks of the River Ythan and can spot many different kinds of birds. The real attractions lies a bit further down the river though, and you will be able to hear it before you can see it. Walk on to meet the local seal colony!

The seals gather on the opposite side of the river, giving you the opportunity to observe the animals without actually disturbing them or running the risk of going too close – just remember to bring your zoom lens and binoculars to get a close-up look!

You might also like:  The best places to see wild animals in Scotland

Bullers of Buchan

A short drive along the coastal trail, past the harbour town of Cruden Bay and the ruins of Slains Castle, make sure you stop at an unassuming car park marked for the Bullers of Buchan. Beyond the tiny village of the same name, a short coastal path leads to a collapsed sea cave – you can still see the sea-facing entrance! The cliffs here are truly spectacular – considering it was a sunny Saturday, I could barely believe that I was the only person here! I sat for a long time, staring out into the blue, listening to seabirds on the rocks below me and the waves crashing in. If you want tranquillity, this is the spot for you!

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Buchan Ness Lighthouse

The Scottish east coast may not have as many lighthouses as the west coast and the islands, but the lighthouses of Aberdeenshire certainly make up for the lack of numbers. On my last visit, I stopped at the breathtaking Rattray Head lighthouse, which stands on a rock out in the sea, and learnt more about Scottish lighthouses at the Lighthouse Museum in Fraserburgh.

This time I visited Buchan Ness Lighthouse in Boddam, a red and white lighthouse that stands 118 ft (36 m) high.  It was built a long time ago to safeguard ships arriving in Boddam harbour, and still flashes its light today. However, the buildings around it also serve as a unique self-catering accommodation. You can’t enter the lighthouse grounds, however, a path leads around it, offering stunning views of the lighthouse as well as the coast around it.

Lastbus Works Canteen

When it comes to vegan food, the rural coastal towns of Aberdeenshire are not as well versed as Aberdeen, and so my search for vegan-friendly fare led me to an unassuming small village inland, New Pitsligo. A few miles from the town, surrounded by trees, fields and nature, I made a halt at the Lastbus Works Canteen . Located in a round tree house structure, it is a hippie’s dream come true. The inside is like a colour explosion and – it might sound cheesy, but – the owner Jessica is surrounded by a warm aura that makes you feel at home instantaneously.

There are only two choices of food – a warm vegan soup with bread or a variety of cakes and puddings. I had a lovely rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream, using rhubarb grown by Jessica’s friends. I could have lingered for hours, discovering the quirky decorations inside the cafe and watching Jess and her family running the business with dedication and spirit. A totally unexpected gem in the countryside of Aberdeenshire!

Note, that the cafe is  closed for the winter season , but it will open for a set period around Christmas and also again next summer. Check out their website and social media for updates!

You might also like:  My vegan travel guide for Scotland

My final stop before returning to Aberdeen for the night was one of Scotland’s most iconic coastal towns. Nestled on a narrow ledge of land, Crovie was built by crofters who were displaced after the Jacobite Uprisings and the Highland Clearings. They made the most of it and built a village that could only be accessed by boat or on foot from the neighbouring village of Gardenstown. Today there is a narrow road for local access, but visitors have to leave their vehicles at a (free) car park above the village.

The descent to Crovie is steep and involves a lot of steps, but it’s worth the effort to get a sense of what life would have been like by the coast before cars. Still today, some locals use pushcarts to transport their shopping from the resident’s car park to their cottage, since the street in front of the cottages is too narrow for cars.

Many of the cottages in Crovie have been turned into holiday rentals – wouldn’t that make for a fantastic seaside holiday?

Other beautiful coastal towns in this area include Pennan (of Local Hero movie fame), Gardenstown, Banff and Macduff, Portsoy and Cullen – but those must wait until a longer trip on Aberdeenshire’s coastal trail!

Day 3: One Day in the Royal Deeside

Royal Deeside is one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes – so beautiful that Queen Victoria bought an estate in this area and built a castle, which has been the Queen’s summer residence ever since. The Royal family visits Balmoral Castle every summer, and with them, come many visitors who want to see what all the fuss is about. Again, there are many more things to do here, but I recommend you see at least one castle, take a scenic walk or hike and try some of the fantastic local produce.

Craigievar Castle

There are many castles in the Royal Deeside – in fact, many of the 19 castles on Aberdeenshire’s Castle Trail are located here! Since I visited Balmoral Castle before (read more here ), I chose to see a different style of castle this time. My choice fell on the iconic pink Craigievar Castle, which supposedly inspired Walt Disney to make his castle pink as well.

Craigievar Castle was first built in 1570, although the top 3 floors with the decorative turrets, roofs and viewing platforms were added around 50 years later when it was bought by the wealthy merchant William Forbes. The descendants of the Forbes family lived here until the 1960s but eventually sold the estate and castle to the National Trust of Scotland, who maintains the castle today.

While the grounds are freely accessible, the castle itself can only be visited with a guided tour. Our guide Paul told fascinating stories about the castle’s owners, the pieces of furniture and art inside, and pointed out various hidden rooms and doors. It was such a brilliant tour and at the end, we visited the viewing platform at the top for stunning views across the estate. It might just be my new favourite Scottish castle!

Costs: £3 (car park) + £13/£9.50 concession (guided tour)

Opening times:  Fri – Tue, 10.30 – 17.00 (Last entry/Tour 16.00) July-September, daily, 10.30 – 17.00 (Last entry/Tour 16.00) October-March, closed Grounds: All year, daily, dawn to dusk

Other castles in the area that are well worth a visit include Balmoral Castle, Crathes Castle, Drum Castle, Castle Fraser and Braemar Castle.

Spider on a Bicycle

After an eventful morning at the castle, I headed for lunch at Spider on a Bicycle in Aboyne. The cafe is located in the old train station and offers a variety of breakfast dishes, lunch items and freshly baked cakes – several of which are vegan. It was really busy the day I visited and they had already run out of their soup and stew of the day, so I went for an open takeaway sandwich, cake and coffee instead. Bring your  Keepcup and reusable bamboo cutlery for an eco-friendly picnic!

Station Square, Aboyne AB34 5HX, website

Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve

There are many walks in Aberdeenshire for all levels of fitness and experience. From the towering mountains of the Cairngorms to the stunning cliff-side coastal walks by the seaside – I promise there is a walk for everyone.

The Royal Deeside is one of my favourite hiking areas in Aberdeenshire. I had visited the Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve near Ballater before – then it was early summer and we opted for a leisurely walk around Loch Kinord. This time I had a little less time and wanted to channel my inner explorer. I followed the Burn o’ Vat path, a loop trail that leads to a dramatic geological feature known as the Vat in the middle of the woodlands.

Water carved out this bowl from the rock surrounding it, but today it is merely a trickle – not less impressive though! The entrance to the Vat looks like big boulders blocking the path – don’t be discouraged, simply climb through the gap and you will enter the stunning Vat!

Allow around 45 minutes for the whole loop trail. You could also cut your walk short, walk straight to the Vat and back, or take a more leisurely walk on the Culblean circuit ( trail description ).

You might also like:  Hiking Guide: Loch Kinord Trail in the Royal Deeside

Snow Roads + Cairngorm Mountains

If you’re not pressed for time, stop in the historic town of Ballater which is a beautiful example of a Victorian railway town. When it’s time to leave the Royal Deeside behind, make your way up and over the Snow Roads a scenic drive through the southern Cairngorm mountains and past the Glenshee ski resort. If you have more time you could visit the Cairngorms National Park and see the only reindeer in Scotland !

Descending back down from the mountains you may have left Aberdeenshire behind, but images from an eventful 3-day road trip around the region will stay with you for the rest of your life!

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Aberdeenshire Travel Guide

Getting to & getting around aberdeenshire.

Did you know that Aberdeen has an airport with over 40 direct connections to other cities in the UK and Europe? Arriving in the UK via a small airport will save you time walking from your gate to the exit and also at passport control. Who wants to waste time at the airport!

Aberdeen Airport is only 6 miles from the city centre and there are regular buses heading straight for the city centre. or you could rent a car right there.

If you can’t find a flight that suits your schedule, you could also travel to Aberdeen by train or bus from either Glasgow or Edinburgh, which both have much bigger airports with plenty of international and overseas flight connections.

As this itinerary is written with a rental car in mind, your best option to get around Aberdeenshire is to rent a car – either from Aberdeen (airport or city) or straight from Glasgow or Edinburgh when you arrive.

Driving in Scotland can be tricky if you’re used to driving on the right side of the road, especially when you find yourself on the narrow roads of the Scottish mountains.

Choosing a visit to Aberdeenshire kills two birds with one stone – it’s a beautiful part of Scotland, and the big roads leading up from Glasgow and Edinburgh give you the opportunity to get used to driving on the other side. 

The drive from Glasgow to Aberdeen takes about 3 hours; from Edinburgh to Aberdeen you should expect to drive 2.5 hours.

You might also like:  Practical Guide to Hiring a Car in Scotland

You could also travel around Aberdeenshire on public transport , but a car gives you greater flexibility and choice of locations to visit. Many attractions, like castles or nature walks, are off the main roads and can only be reached by car.

Driving in Aberdeenshire is easy though and I always just used Google Maps for navigation. As you drive to the more rural parts of Aberdeenshire, roads become smaller and can be quite windy and steep at times – it is always good to just take your time and let other cars pass if they are faster.

You might also like:  My top 20 tips for driving in Scotland

Where to stay in Aberdeen

Skene house rosemount in aberdeen.

Aberdeen is in a fantastic central location to explore the rest of Aberdeenshire. Hardly any place in Aberdeenshire is ever more than 1.5-hour drive away from Aberdeen, so if you prefer to have a home-base over moving hotel every night, I highly recommend staying in town for a few days.

I stayed at the Rosemount branch of the lovely boutique apartment hotel Skene House. They also have a few other locations nearby. Skene House Rosemount is located in the trendy Rosemount neighbourhood, in easy walking distance to central Aberdeen and Union Street, but also easy to get to by car. The hotel has free parking available, which is an added bonus if you plan a road trip!

I stayed in a one-bedroom suite, which had a lounge and kitchen area as well as a separate bedroom and a bathroom with a walk-in shower. I love having all this space to retreat to, especially because I like hanging out in my hotel room to refuel but don’t want to lie down in my bed necessarily. The kitchen area was a nice added bonus, which made it easy for me to prepare quick road trip snacks and wash my reusable cutlery, food containers and coffee cup at the end of the day.

The hotel is nearby all the restaurants and pubs you could ask for; Bonobo, the vegan cafe, is 5 minutes down the road, my favourite Italian restaurant in Aberdeen, Rustico, is just a 15-minute walk away, and the food market at The Green was also just a 15-minute walk home – perfect location if you ask me!

Book a room at Skene House Rosemount here .

If you prefer not to drive back to Aberdeen at the end of the day, I can recommend the following places to stay in Aberdeenshire;

Carmelite House in Banff (Coastal Trail north)

For a night up on the coast, I highly recommend Carmelite House in Banff. Located in a historic building in the centre of Banff, the hostel is nearby the beautiful waterfront and harbour of Banff and just a short walk from local restaurants and attractions. 

Book a room at Carmelite House here .

Loch Kinord Hotel in Dinnet (Royal Deeside)

If you are looking for a traditional hotel in the Royal Deeside, look no further than Loch Kinord Hotel. Just a short drive away from the bustling town of Ballater, but equally close to the tranquil Muir of Dinnet Nature Reserve, this hotel is in a fantastic location allowing you to make the most out of your visit to the Royal Deeside!

Book a room at Loch Kinord Hotel here .

Not that I needed any more convincing, but I have hopelessly fallen in love with Aberdeenshire again. This 3-day Aberdeenshire itinerary only just scratches the surface of all the things to do in this region of Scotland. For now, Aberdeenshire is still fairly off the beaten track, but I can’t imagine that this will stay like this forever!

If you love fairytale castles, street art, vegan food, tranquil nature and stunning coasts – what are you waiting for?

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20 thoughts on “ Castles, Street Art & Coasts: 13 Places to Visit in Aberdeenshire in 3 days ”

Do you have any favourite recommendations on something to see in Aberdeen or the train stops between Aberdeen and Glasgow? I arrive in Aberdeen but have to get to Glasgow the same day. Would like to see some cool nature/ historical things on the way. I was thinking of stopping in Stonehaven but the castle is closed that day, but maybe the coastal walk to the castle is still worth it?

The coastal walk in Stonehaven is very pretty and it’s a great town to see – but the train station is quite a bit uphill from the town centre, so it depends on how much time and stamina you have. Arbroath is another great stop – especially to see Arbroath Abbey and possibly a walk at the cliffs if you have more time!

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Very well elaborated and informative blog, I visualized everything with your way of writing. I guess this will help me plan my trip this year. Kudos to you!!

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I am combing through your posts as I plan a two week summer trip to Scotland for my husband and me and I really appreciate your level of detail and how you streamline your travels to make the most of any given location. I am wondering, is it possible to download your itineraries with the shops, accommodations, and attractions you write about? I am planning on visiting as many locations and cities as possible and would like to combine parts of posts. Thank you!

Hi Natalie, many thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my blog! The easiest would probably be for you to save the places you want to visit in Google Maps and create your itinerary based on that. Otherwise obvs feel free to print my blog posts for personal use or copy and paste useful sections into a document for yourself 😉 If you need help at any stage, check out my travel consultation page and let me know if I can assist with your planning! I am starting to take bookings again very soon: https://watchmesee.com/watch-me-see-scotland-travel-consultation/

Thanks, I was hoping for a more “tech friendly” solution but I did just that and made a Google map with all of the attractions, restaurants, pubs and even some of the hotels that you mention throughout your posts.

We have one free day after we finish in Skye and I was hoping you would be able to help me figure out if doing a day in Lewis to see the Calanais Standing Stones is possible before heading back down to end in Glasgow. It would be in the middle of the week and we have not yet booked accommodations for that night so we can be a bit flexible… Thanks so much for your help!

Hi Natalie, glad you managed to save some of my recs to your itinerary! In terms of Lewis, I don’t think it’s possible to visit the island on your way from Skye to Lewis. You need at least a night on the island because of ferry times and it’s a long drive down to Glasgow. You could instead spend a night around Oban and visit the standing stones at Kilmartin Glen – they are beautiful! Lewis and Harris definitely deserve a few days on your next trip 🙂

Never heard of this place before but it seems very cool! And the vegan food looks delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂

The vegan food in Scotland is amazing! Definitely worth a visit just for that 🙂

Aberdeenshire looks like an amazing area with natural beauty as well as history.would love to explore it. Just lived your pics so much.

It’s exactly that – hope you get to see it soon!!

Those coastal views are amazing!! I haven’t been to Scotland yet, but I’m adding Aberdeenshire to my list when I get to go!

It’s definitely my favourite area to go off the beaten track and see a different kind of Scotland!

Love how you’ve combined extremes like castles and street art in this beautiful post. Scotland has always been a favorite destination, and this post has ignited our desire to go once more!

There’s so much to see in Aberdeenshire, in a fairly small radius – something for everyone, or simply no need to decide whether you want to experience urban art or centuries of history!! You should comeback 🙂

Honestly never thought of Aberdeen/shire as a foodie area. Looks like I am wrong. Night Market is braw, might just miss it in October?

Yeah, I think that was the last market of the season, but there are so many fab restaurants in Aberdeen – you’ll enjoy the warmth 🙂 Rustico is a fab Italian, of you’re after proper pasta!!

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14 best beaches in Scotland and where to stay nearby

The loveliest stretches, from Hackley Bay to Minn Beach

In fact, if you're after sandy beaches , Scotland has plenty to explore, from the hidden gem that is Hackley Bay in Aberdeenshire to the Caribbean-like stretches of the isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides .

You'll find hidden coves, surfers' paradises, city beaches and remote shores that seem to stretch for miles. A break on Scotland’s coastline truly offers something for everyone.

With the wonderful summer weather at home, you might be happy to miss a holiday abroad and plan a trip to one of Scotland's best beaches for a staycation this season instead. No need to fuss around with foreign currencies, languages and expensive flights when you can simply hop onto a train and explore all that Scotland has to offer.

You could combine your trip to the beach with visits to pretty villages or lively days out in the city or experience fully immersing yourself in Scotland's nature and wildlife on a secluded escape . Another way to see Scotland's glorious coastline is by hopping from island to island, with various cruises available, such as Country Living 's luxury sailing experience, which departs in September and May .

Keep scrolling to discover some of Scotland ’s exceptional beach locations and the conveniently close accommodation to book for a holiday.

West Sands Beach, St Andrews

West Sands is on the eastern shores of the Kingdom of Fife, with two miles of sandy beach, backed by dunes and a world-famous golf course. It's a great spot for walking, running and swimming, and it has Hollywood approval, too: the beach was used in the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire .

West Sands Beach is about a 15-minute stroll from the historic centre of St Andrews, the famous 'home of golf' where you can visit the remains of the 12th-century cathedral, Scotland's first university, and enjoy a tour of the Old Course – or perhaps even a round.

Where to stay: The Fairmont St Andrews is a 520-acre cliff-top estate with views of the wild North Sea, two 18-hole golf courses, and a luxurious spa complete with aromatherapy steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, experience showers and a host of restorative rituals and treatments.

Tresness, Orkney

The northern isles of Orkney have lots of magical coastline, but the dunes and beach at Tresness on the island of Sanday are some of the archipelago’s most spectacular.

The beach forms a thin peninsula, with the North Sea on one side and a sheltered tidal bay on the other. Sanday is one of Orkney’s bigger inhabited islands, with a population of around 550.

Where to stay: Backaskaill Farmhouse on Sanday is a beach-front self-catering cottage, with panoramic coastal views at every turn.

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Ganavan Bay, Argyll & Bute

This sheltered, sandy beach in Scotland offers beautiful views over the Isle of Mull and is perfect for shallow swimming, rock pooling and paddle boarding . The seaside town of Oban is nearby and is the perfect location to enjoy fish and chips after a day of getting active with water sports at the beach.

Where to stay: Barriemore , which overlooks Oban Bay, is situated between Ganvan Bay and Oban, allowing you to easily enjoy the benefits of the restaurants and shops in Oban while offering easy access to the beach. There are a variety of room options available, including suites with sea views and even a self-catering apartment that sleeps four which is perfect for families.

East Beach, Lossiemouth

Head to the seaside Moray town of Lossiemouth (aka, 'Lossie') to locate East Beach, a pebbly shore that’s popular with surfers. If you keep walking west, the pebbles become sand.

Visitors can look for birds and bottlenose dolphins, and there are attractive dunes to admire, too.

Where to stay: Just 700 metres from East Beach, Beachfront Lodge is a two-bedroom chalet with a terrace offering sea views, a fireplace and a flat-screen TV with streaming services. There's enough space for six people, making it a great option for families.

Hackley Bay, Aberdeenshire

Nestled away in the Forvie Nature Reserve and only accessible by foot along a cliff path, Hackley Bay is a true hidden gem. This golden sandy beach is still very much unspoilt, sheltered by cliffs, backed by high sand dunes, and home to a wonderful variety of wildlife – sea birds in particular.

A paradise for hikers, Hackley Bay is the perfect secret escape before a second stop in Balmedie to enjoy fish and chips on the golden shores of Balmedie Beach.

Where to stay: As this hidden gem is so perfectly tucked away, accommodation is found a short drive from the Forvie Nature Reserve. The Cock and Bull is a family run country inn and gastropub offering a seasonally changing menu that makes the most of locally sourced ingredients.

Tiree, Inner Hebrides

The isle of Tiree is an outstanding destination for those seeking sandy shores, with 15 beaches to choose from and the Gulf Stream bringing a warm climate to the area. The most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides, it's also well known for its traditional thatched houses, that use muran (grass) which grows on the sand dunes.

Fans of water sports will love the wind here too – Tiree offers the perfect environment for surfers in particular. Visit Blackhouse Watersports on Balevullin Beach to try out a spot of surfing for yourself, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro.

Where to stay: Tiree Lodge Hotel is a family run hotel with beautiful beach and sea views, located in Gott Bay. It also has a pub-style bar, and a separate bar and restaurant with fantastic vistas out across the bay.

If you're after a sustainable stay, be sure to check out The Reef Inn . It's a proudly eco-friendly hotel with a highly insulated, energy efficient build, including air source heat for the under-floor heating.

Alternatively, join Country Living to see the Hebrides' unspoilt coastlines during an eleven-day island hopping adventure .

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Waulkmill Bay, Orkney

Tucked away down a small side road before following steep steps to the shore, Waulkmill Bay is one of the biggest beaches in the islands. Here, you'll find a beautiful stretch of sand taking up the bay at low tide, leading towards the clear waters of Scapa Flow, which are shallow enough to make them ideal for paddling.

Where to stay: Lindisfarne Bed & Breakfast in Stromness offers views over Scapa Flow. The town of Stromness is only one mile away, while the beach is just a short drive.

Minn Beach, Burra, Shetland

One of Shetland’s most beautiful beaches, located on the southernmost part of West Burra, can be reached via a footpath which leads to both the beach and onto Kettla Ness Peninsula. This wild Atlantic-facing headland is home to a wide variety of breeding moorland and coastal birds, with sightings of seals a regular occurrence around the shoreline.

Where to stay: Minn Beach is just a 20 minute drive from Lerwick’s many accommodation options – including The Lerwick Hotel . This lovely hotel overlooks Brewick Bay and the island of Bressay, and is well located for coastal walks, as well as being just 10 minutes from town. There's an on-site restaurant specialising in fresh Shetland flavours, and if you're lucky you might even spot a seal, otter or killer whale from one of the windows.

Rockcliffe Beach, Dumfries and Galloway

Rockcliffe is located on the southern edge of Dumfries and Galloway, in what is known as the ‘Scottish Riviera’ where the effects of the Gulf Stream create a warm climate. It's part of a National Scenic Area, where you can enjoy the wooded coastal walkway running between sailing villages and the nearby ancient citadel, Mote of Mark , situated on a nearby rocky outcrop.

Where to stay: The Anchor Hotel Kippford is a traditional, family run coaching inn situated on the pretty banks of Urr Water, and a 10 minute drive from the beach. The Scottish breakfast here is a particular highlight, and will set you up perfectly for days spent exploring the local area.

Nairn Beach, Highlands

Located just half an hour's drive from the city sights of Inverness and directly next to the seaside town of Nairn, Nairn Central Beach is a long sandy stretch of coast backed by low sand dunes. It stretches from the Nairn Golf Club in the west end, to the harbour at Fishertown, with a great range of coastal walks in either direction.

Also nearby are Nairn East Beach and Nairn West Beach, offering plenty of coastline for visitors to enjoy. Wildlife lovers can look out for the resident dolphin pod in these waters, while enjoying spectacular views over the Moray Firth towards Cromarty.

Where to stay: The Bandstand is a family run pub with rooms, boasting panoramic sea views and located just a short walk away from Nairn Beach.

Pettycur Bay by Kinghorn, Fife

This sandy beach backed by dunes is located just 10 minutes from Kinghorn Railway Station, and offers stunning views across the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh and The Lothians.

On a clear day it’s even possible to see Edinburgh Castle in the distance, making this beach perfect for calm reflection. At low tide, visitors can enjoy a costal walk from Pettycur over to beautiful and family friendly Burntisland Beach.

Where to stay: The Bay Hotel is a family run hotel with 28 rooms and a high-end feel. Here, you can enjoy views over Pettycur Bay and the Firth of Forth, as well as dinner at the smart Horizons restaurant and a dip in the leisure centre pool.

Calgary Bay, Isle of Mull

Just west of Dervaig, Calgary is the biggest and most easily accessible beach in the north of the Isle of Mull.

The coastline is backed by ‘machair’, a unique habitat found only in the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland, created by the calcium-rich sandy soil and rich in species of flowers and grasses.

The area is also home to 'Art in Nature', a woodland area with walks that meander between sculptures, carvings and art installations between the beach and Carthouse Gallery on the hill above. Explorers can also make their way up the footpaths on the north side of the Bay to see the ruined houses of Arin and lovely views across the Tiree Passage.

Where to stay: A 40-minute drive away, Glengorm Castle was built in the 19th century, with all of the turrets and towers you’d hope for in a Scottish fortress. Within the gorgeous grounds, you'll find self-catering apartments, a flat in the Castle and cottages scattered around the estate.

Ayr Beach, Ayrshire

In Scotland’s south west and on the western coastline of the country of Ayrshire, Ayr Beach is often said to be one of the most beautiful in the country – a considerable accolade given how many spectacular Scottish beaches there are.

Set up on the sandy shore for the day with a picnic and admire the views of Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and, if it’s clear enough, Pladda. Families will also love the putting green, crazy golf, children's play area and café adjacent to the beach.

Where to stay: Marine Troon is the perfect pitstop for anyone coming to the area to play golf, visit Ayrshire’s ancient castles, or enjoy the sandy beaches and harbour. Opt for one of the rooms or suites with a sea view, if you can.

More breathtaking Scottish scenery awaits at Sanna Bay, on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula in the west Highlands and the most westerly point of mainland Britain.

There are white sandy shores and turquoise waters, with views of the surrounding isles, and dolphins and whales often swimming by. You’ll also be able to keep watch for sea eagles, otters and the rarely spotted pine martens.

Where to stay: Mingary Castle is a lovely restaurant with rooms located in a 13th century building on the coastal edge of the 30,000-acre Ardnamurchan Estate.

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What Are the Must-See Sights When Visiting Scotland on Vacation?

Kade kistner | aug 14, 2024.

Scotland is a magical place, after all, the national animal is a unicorn! Seriously!

But for generations this ancient land has been the backdrop of some of the most incredible moments in history, from the birthplace of magic, to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, to Highland clans and the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745, this land attracts visitors.

None of that mentions its sheer beauty, diverse biospheres and its vibrant nightlife in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Plus, who can forget the incredible football (soccer) ?

Here are the must-see sites when taking an adventure to Scotland.

Edinburgh Castle

Most visitors will begin their trip with a flight into Edinburgh. It's an old, yet beautiful city. Of course, its castle sits atop the city looking down, only overshadowed by Arthur's Seat, an incredible hike.

Edinburgh Castle has been around since the Iron Age, and has been used for everything from a royal residence, to a garrison, treasury, and even a prison. In fact, it was heavily active in both the Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745, and then as a place to hold prisoners of war during the American Revolution.

This storied castle is now among the most protected buildings and monuments in Scotland as it sits in Old Town of Edinburgh.

After touring the castle, make sure to check out both sides of Edinburgh, Old and New Town, and the wonderful pubs, restaurants and shops that the city has to offer.

Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park covers almost 1,750 square miles and is the largest national park in the United Kingdom. It is the quintessential Scottish Highlands experience as you can experience some of the most breathtaking hikes and scenery in the summer.

During the winter, visitors can ski, see the Northern Lights and even take a team of sled dogs out into the middle of the wilderness for one of the most breathtaking experiences of your life.

Year-round there is zip lining offered, as well as warm lodges and pubs in some of the more populous towns such as Aviemore. As few nights in the park is an absolute must if you want to fully complete your Scottish adventure!

Culloden Battlefield

Located just outside of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, Culloden is where the famous Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 came to an end.

Bonnie Prince Charlie, after arriving on Scotland's shores and raising an army, marched all the way from the Highlands to England with the intent of taking back the English throne from the Hanoverian Dynasty.

Taking the British military by surprise, the Jacobite army made it all the way to Derby before turning back towards Scotland in retreat. They made their final stand in Culloden Moor, a highly disadvantageous position, especially after an incredibly arduous march beforehand.

It was here that the majority of the Jacobite army was slaughtered in under an hour's time. The ramifications saw Highland chiefs lose all power and authority, tartans and kilts were outlawed and the Highland culture was all but annihilated.

To say it is sacred ground for many Scots is an understatement.

Visitors can be spend about two hours here while true history buffs can spend up to four hours taking in the sights.

It was also an incredibly popular spot in Outlander, which has caused thousands to flock to the battlefield in recent years.

Just down the road from Culloden is the famous Loch Ness . Just south of Inverness, Loch Ness continues to attract thousands of visitors a year hoping to see "Nessie" make an appearence.

You can visit the Loch Ness Centre where you can get caught up on all the history of the Loch, Nessie and the surrounding area. On a clear day, it is truly one of the most naturally beautiful areas in Scotland. On a rainy day, it is one of the more ominous sights you can see.

Plus, one can enjoy the ruins of Urquhart castle while you're there, a really idylic scene over an incredible view.

Either way, it's well worth the 20 minute drive from Inverness to go see the legendary loch!

Your Favorite Distillery

Everyone has their preference of alcohol, but when it comes to Scotland its Whisky (no "e") or gin.

As with all taste palettes, where you want to visit will defer. Some of the very best whisky distilleries include The MacAllan in Speyside, Dalwhinnie in the foothills of the Cairngorms, Blair Athol near Blair Castle north of Perth, Lagavulin in Islay and of course, Johnnie Walkie blended scotch in Edinburgh.

As for gins, The Botanist in Islay, Hendricks in Ayrshire and Gordon's which is distilled in Fife.

Visitors will be taken on tours and taught why and how a whisky can become known as a scotch while also getting a detailed history of the lands that created the spirit.

One can't visit Scotland without seeing a mashtun and the spirit distilling process that has brought Scotland so much fame.

Blair Castle

Scotland is known for its castles but many are now in ruins or not quite... a "castle."

Blair Castle is the exception. Started in 1269, the castle has seen its fair share of history. Two Jacobite Rebellions, two World Wars, multiple royal visits to include Queen Victoria in 1844, and has been featured on many shows.

Entering into the castle, visitors are welcomed by multiple basket-hilt swords, muskets and medeval knight armor. From there, visitors will tour 30 rooms, highlighted by the dining room and the ball room, full of stag heads.

Additionally, the grounds are home to some of the UK's most beautiful gardens as well as one of the largest horse races in the country. The castle is open March 26 through Oct. 26. However, exclusive use of the castle for weddings is possible.

And from first-hand experience, the weddings at Blair Castle do not disappoint, especially when guests have exclusive use of the castle.

Scotland is a magical place, it's raw beauty, the culture, the kindness of its people and most of all, its history, sets this land apart from much of the world.

If you truly want to fall back into time and see what one of the most naturally ancient places on the earth feels like, make sure to head over to Scotland and stop by these must-see sites while on your adventure!

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Think road trips with coastal views, walking tours taking in iconic city centre sites, incredible cycling paths that run through Royal Deeside - there’s a route with your name on it.

Great Outdoors

Venture out in the crisp and clear fresh air with views for miles across great estates and heathery moors.

Adventure Activities

From mountain bike trails and Munro Bagging, to paddleboarding and skiing, find your outdoor adventure in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Culture & Arts

Embrace and discover Scottish culture in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Join us as we celebrate ancient traditions and spark new ones.

History & Heritage

Ancient sites and symbols, mysterious standing stones, towering granite walls and legendary castles mark Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as a heartland of Scottish history.

The panoramic views and elemental power of our courses can take a golfer’s breath away. We are home to some of the world's most famous and challenging golf courses.

Food & Drink

Full-flavoured, hearty and comforting world-famous Aberdeen Angus beef, seafood and whisky. And, as the home of Brewdog, leading the way in the craft beer revolution.

Aberdeen city break

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Foodie Experiences

Become a master chocolatier or take a butchery class - Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is well served for foodies.

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Surrounded by vast countryside, Aberdeenshire is home to a wealth of farming, agricultural and foodie experiences.

Foodie Events

Get a taste for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with the fantastic foodie events and festivals.

Independents

Find our best local produce in quaint deli cafes, traditional pubs and stylish Michelin Guide restaurants across the region

Michelin Guide

No matter where you stay in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire a Michelin worthy establishment is never too far away.

VisitScotland's 'Taste Our Best'

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have long been serving up some of Scotland’s most premium local produce creating a name for itself as an iconic food destination.

From the Turf

Find a restaurant in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire serving world-class Aberdeen-Angus beef, venison and local wild game.

From the Surf

With our coastal location you can enjoy some of the freshest fish and seafood in the world. Find and book a restaurant in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire.

Vegan & Vegetarian

Whatever your reason, if you’re looking for vegetarian or vegan food, we’ve got you covered.

Discover the “The Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire”, produced by distilleries dating from the 18th and 19th centuries

Aberdeenshire is leading the craft beer revolution. Here you'll find Brewdog's brewery and flagship bar, and many other bars serving up their very own delicious beers.

Bars & Nightlife

Enjoy stylish bars, traditional Scottish pubs and vibrant nightlife in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Sweet Treats

Satisfy your sweet tooth with stylish afternoon teas, famous ice cream parlours and freshly baked cakes & local delicacies

Grab and Go

If time's against you, try one of these many takeaway options for a hearty and healthy meal on the move.

Sunday Roast

Celebrate the Sunday Roast tradition with your family and friends at a selection of our cafes, restaurants and bistros.

Breakfast & Brunch

Kick start your day with a locally produced breakfast or brunch. It’s the most important meal of the day, after all!

Enjoy a lunch with a view, watch the world go by in a quaint café, or relax alfresco in one of our award winning parks or gardens

Evening Meal

Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are well known for rich local produce with restaurants serving up fresh seafood, Aberdeen Angus Beef and wild game

Towns + Villages

Explore Aberdeenshire, which is made up of some of Scotland’s most picturesque and welcoming towns and villages

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In this section

• Aberchirder
• Fraserburgh
• Gardenstown
• Laurencekirk

Beyond the city of Aberdeen you will find the surrounding area of Aberdeenshire, which is made up of some of Scotland’s most celebrated towns and villages – film famous, of historic importance, regal and the inspiration to many storytellers across the centuries.

Whether you’re heading along the Aberdeenshire Coast towards the Banffshire Coast or have your sights set on the majestic Royal Deeside, many towns and villages are located within easy reach of each other - it’s possible to combine a few in one trip.

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