Parks, Gardens and Nature Walks

Enjoy a day out with the wildlife in Aberdeen’s city and local parks.

• Duthie Park
• Hazlehead Park
• Victoria Park
• Westburn Park
• Seaton Park
• Beach/Queens Links
• Johnston Gardens
• Rubislaw and Queens Terrace Gardens
• Allan Park
• Stewart Park
• Bon Accord Terrace Gardens
• Union Terrace Gardens
• Westfield Park

Click here for more information on these fabulous wildlife adventures and parks.

 

Forest Walks and Nature Reserves

The aberdeen area is a favourite with walkers whether they are enjoying some of the walks in the city environs or taking to the hills for something more challenging.

 

There are approx 14 areas of forest providing excellent walks of all levels in and around Aberdeen. Trails are marked by colour with distance and walking levels, some with woodland sculptures to keep you motivated and with excellent picnic facilities, it’s a great day out for all the family. Cycling and horseriding trails are also a feature of some of the forest walks. Click here for more information.

 

Or why not explore the countryside and encounter the indigenous wildlife. From the golden eagles to the iconic red deer stag, Aberdeen City and Shire is home to an inspiring range of animals.

 

Just a few minutes walk from Hillhead is the Donmouth Nature Reserve where the sighting of deer is not uncommon. The Don estuary gives excellent scope for seeing waders, terns and seabirds. Sandwich, common and Arctic terns fish here in summer, with little and black tern also recorded. Skuas come by in late summer, which is also a good time to watch out for little stint and other passage waders. Seals use the sand spit near the mouth of the river and foxes also make an appearance.

 

Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Aberdeen Maritime Museum is located in Shiprow in Aberdeen. The new museum was founded in 1997 and details Aberdeen’s history and close connection with the sea. Subjects covered include North Sea Oil and Gas; Shipbuilding; Fishing; and harbour history. Maritime paintings include 150 ships' portraits of clippers ships through to fishing vessels. Facilities include a café and a shop.

Aberdeen Maritime Muesum
52-56, Shiprow Aberdeen AB11 5BY
Tel: 01224 337700

Natural History Centre
Natural History Centre is located within the University of Aberdeen and is a centre set up to educate the public on environmental issues. Exhibits within the centre include the Cruikshank Botanic Garden and also the Zoology Museum. The museums aim is to get everyone interested in the living world so we can learn to protect it.

 

University of Aberdeen Zoology Department,
Cruickshank Building
Bedford Road, Aberdeen,
Aberdeenshire AB24 2TE
Tel: 01224 493288

 

Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen's splendid Art Gallery, which opened in 1885, is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. In its elegant marble-lined interior is displayed a varied collection of works of art, including outstanding examples of Modern Art, and work by the Impressionists and the Scottish Colourists. Visitors can also see contemporary craft, Aberdeen silver and a wide range of decorative art.

There are regular changing displays and an exciting programme of special exhibitions, events and activities. There is also an excellent gallery shop and café.

Aberdeen Art Gallery is fully accessible to visitors with mobility difficulties.

View the Aberdeen Art Gallery website here

 

Beaches
Aberdeen's sandy beach stretches two miles with an Esplanade alongside for that refreshing walk. There are also various entertainment options along the seafront, including an amusement park, family entertainment centre, cinema, leisure centre with fun pool and ice rink, and a selection of cafes and bars. The water maybe a bit cold in the winter but this does not stop people visiting the beach area. With all the fun and entertainment that there is to offer you can enjoy a great day out and then have a relaxing meal along the sea front with the various bars and restaurants. Alternatively to eating alongside the sea, the city centre is just a 10 - 15 minute walk up the beach boulevard where there are many different restaurants to choose from to suit everyone’s taste.

Torry Battery

The Torry Battery is an artillery battery near Torry in Aberdeen, Scotland which has overlooked the city's harbour since 1860. During both World War I and World War II it was used to defend the city.

 

Blair's Museum

Blairs Museum gives a unique insight into Scotland's Catholic history and heritage with spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years.

 

South Deeside Road
Aberdeen AB12 5YQ
Tel: 01224 869424

 

Opening Times:
Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 12 noon to 5pm.( 1st April to 30th September)
10.00am to 5.00pm (Holiday Monday's)

 

Gordon Highlanders Museum

Relive the story of one of Scotland's most famous army regiments The Gordon Highlanders. At the museum you will see the finest of the Regiment's treasures gathered over two centuries including a remarkable display of 12 Victoria Crosses. Other exhibits at the museum include State of the art touch screens let you explore the deeds and values, which made the Regiment great and there are film presentations convey the story of the Gordon's in all its colour and incident.

 

St. Lukes,
Viewfield Rd,
Aberdeen Aberdeenshire AB15 7XH
Tel: 01224 311200

www.gordonhighlanders.com

 

Provost Skene's House

Provost Skene's House is one of Aberdeen earliest surviving pieces of architecture dating back to around 1545. It now houses an attractive series of period room settings, recalling the elegant furnishings of earlier times from the 17th century Great Hall, Parlour and Bedroom to the 18th century Bedroom and Georgian Dining Room, as well as a Nursery recreated from the late 19th century. View the religious paintings, costume jewellery, coins or take a snack in The Cellar.

 

Guestrow,
Aberdeen Aberdeenshire
AB10 1AS
Tel: 01224 641086

 

Walking Trails

Aberdeen offer’s a series of walking trails around the city.

• Granite City Trail
• Heritage Tree Trail
• March Stones Trail
• Maritime Trail
• North Sea Trail
• Old Aberdeen Trail
• People and Places
• Torry Churches Trail
• Torry Coastal Trail
• Torry Industrial and Maritime Trail
• Torry Urban Trail

Click here to find out more about these trails.

 

Royal Aberdeenshire

The picture postcard village of Ballater in the heart of Royal Deeside is within close proximity to Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence for the royal family, situated approximately 8 miles to the west of this quintessential Aberdeenshire settlement.

Inspite of its relatively small size, Ballater is an important tourist centre and serves as an excellent holiday base for discovering the world renowned Royal Deeside 'Castle Trail' and stunning landscapes that this region is famed for. The village dates back to the 1300s and was formerly part of the estates of the Knights of St John, commanding a strategic position in the Dee Valley and Glen Cairn. The strong royal presence in the village itself is reflected with 'By Appointment' signage featuring on many shop fronts, marking the approval of products and produce by Her Majesty The Queen. Traces of Ballater's railway past can be viewed at the magnificently restored former railway station, closed in 1966. Today, this fine example of Victorian architectural splendour houses Ballater's Tourist Information Centre and Museum exhibiting a wide collection of displays and artefacts pertaining to the local history of the area and its regal connection.

 

Balmoral Castle

Balmoral castle is the Scottish home to the royal family. It is situated amongst the amazing scenery of Royal Deeside. The castle was bought by Queen Victoria in 1848 and takes up over 50,000 acres of heather clad hills, ancient Caledonian woodland, policies and of course the beautiful River Dee is nearby. Come and see this beautiful castle today!

Below are some websites for further information:

Balmoral Castle
Braemar Guide
The Chatelaine's Scottish Castles