Old Aberdeen is the hub of antiquity and style in this compact city. Dominated by granite buildings, visitors come here to marvel at sights like King’s College and St Machar Cathedral. Aberdeen is also a very green city, epitomised in the lovely Union Terrace Gardens. The beachfront promenade is another fun place to stroll, shop, eat and drink against the backdrop of the sea. There’s even the tiny fishing village of Footdee just south of the city for a look at the traditional side of Scottish coastal life.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Right in the heart of bustling Union Street is Aberdeen’s best art gallery. It is one of the city’s most popular and beloved attractions, featuring hundreds of paintings from the 1800s and 1900s. The gallery is considered one of the UK’s best, so art lovers won’t want to miss out. Special events and exhibits are also a regular feature.
Phone: +44 1224 523700; www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
Crathes Castle and Gardens
One of the real gems in the area is this 1323 castle and its beautiful grounds, which were granted by King Robert the Bruce to the Burnett family. The gardens are almost as engaging as the castle. There are eight different gardens and several yew hedges dating to 1702. Five trails help you navigate the expansive grounds.
Phone: +44 1330 844 525
Fyvie Castle
One of Aberdeen’s most famous castles was only opened to the public in 1986. It is a building full of legends, curses and ghosts. Dating to the 1200s, Fyvie is considered to be the finest Edwardian structure of its kind in Scotland. Its five towers are a notable feature, and the interior contains wonderful suits of armour, weapons, 16th-century tapestries and loads of important artwork.
Phone: +44 1651 891 266
Fraser Castle
Of the many castles around Aberdeen, Fraser Castle is one of the most impressive and formidable. This castle was built to defend its occupants, who were the Fraser family back in the late 1500s. Situated on 10 hectares, visitors can tour the glorious grounds and its 18th-century walled garden as well as parts of the castle like the stately Great Hall.
Phone: +44 1330 833 463
Footdee
This fantastic gem of a village is within easy walking distance from Aberdeen’s harbour. Dating to the 1800s century, this fishing village is as traditional as they come. Charming cottages all face away from the sea in clustered squares to protect themselves from the intense storms typical of these shores. Don’t miss a chance to wander over to another era in Scottish lore.
Old Aberdeen
This is the ancient heart of Aberdeen, and home to some of the city’s most important historical buildings. The centrepiece is the lovely 16th-century King’s College, which has an open campus, a famous quadrangle, and a college chapel housing a great exhibit of relics. Marischal College and its excellent museum are also here, as is the 15th-century St Machar Cathedral, which has scenic views over the River Don and Seaton Park.
Provost Skene’s House
This museum-house combination offers an interesting look into the domestic life of one of the city’s most influential men, Lord Provost of Aberdeen. Provost Skene, who was a wealthy merchant, ruled from 1676 to 1685. His home is packed with original period furnishings, décor and artefacts.
Phone: +44 1224 641086
