There are a total of seven cities in Scotland, all with their own unique selling points and local cultures. Whether you’re from the UK or abroad there is something in Scotland for everyone – even the most seasoned world traveller. Aberdeen is one of Scotland’s oldest cities and,having seen at least 8000 years of human development, one of the most culturally rich. There is plenty to do in and around the city, so we’ve compiled a list of our favourites to take the leg work out of research.
Balmedie Beach
Balmedie is everyone’s favourite Scottish beach. Whether enjoying the sun in the summer months reclining in a deck-chair with a good book, or braving the autumn chill with a wet-suit and boogie board, Balmedie beach welcomes all. The beach is a perfect place for a family picnic, a barbecue with friends or simply a relaxing evening stroll with the dogs. It’s noted that the best time of year to visit these parts is the summer as Aberdeen can get pretty chilly in the off-season being so far north.
Linn O’ Dee
For a slightly more active affair why not head to Linn O’ Dee for some of Aberdeen’s finest walks and hikes. The beautiful scenery found in this area has inspired music, paintings and poems across the centuries and holds a special place in the hearts and memories of local residents. Linn O’ Dee is a geological wonder; dramatic waterfalls, gaping crevasses and ancient rock formations bring a blast of natural energy to an otherwise tranquil area.
Getting to Linn O’ Dee takes just over an hour from Aberdeen city centre by car. I recommend staying at the Aberdeen Mercure for ease of access, as it’s situated just off the B9077 which is the primary route to Linn O’ Dee
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
There are several notable maritime collections across the UK, but none with greater presence and history than that of the award-winning Aberdeen Maritime Museum. The museum hosts the only displays of North Sea oil and gas history as well as a unique collection of fishing and port history and ship building artefacts.
The history of the museum itself is fascinating; built in 1593 and later extended in 1710, the house became the residence of Provost John Ross who happened to be a ship owner. The building then accumulated several examples of maritime engineering before adopting the official mantle of ‘museum’. The museum has since been extended further to include several other buildings, as the collection simply became too large to house.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 4:45pm and Sunday from 12noon – 2:45pm
Aberdeen Art Gallery
The city’s finest art gallery is yet another trip through Aberdeen’s cultural history – albeit from a rather different perspective. The collection – dubbed ‘magnificent and important’ by its own site – has been growing since 1885 and continues to do so. The gallery is home to 18th century portraits by acclaimed artists such as Hogarth, Ramsey and Raeburn as well as the more contemporary 20th century pieces by Ben Nicholson, Paul Nash and Francis Bacon.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 4:50pm and Sunday from 2pm – 4:45pm and there are plenty of places to stay nearby.
Footdee
Last but by no means least is the beautiful fishing village of Footdee, known locally as Fittie. The town is located at the mouth of the Dee and Aberdeen harbour and originally dates back to the medieval period. In modern times the village has been engulfed by the development of the city, but still retains its old-world aesthetic and charm. Visiting Footdee is an absolute must for all visiting Aberdeen, as it offers a visceral glimpse into the area’s past. The current layout of the town was presented by John Brown whose design was to be used to house the local fishermen in 1809. The village is easily accessible form the city-centre by bus, or if you’re feeling energetic, on foot.
Wherever you decide to stay, there is plenty to do and across Scotland