15 Must-Visit Attractions in Aberdeen

Sir Duncan Rice Library in Old Aberdeen | © Verino77/Flickr

3 April 2017

Aberdeen glitters and sparkles in the sun; the flecks of quartz in the granite that the city is famously built from come to life when the day brightens. This is Scotland‘s third largest city, and people have lived on the site for millennia. As such, there is a wealth of things to see and do. Here are 15 places not to be missed, ranging from the natural to masterpieces of architecture, and the very old to the ultra-modern. Aberdeen really does have something for everyone.

St Machar’s Cathedral

St. Machar’s Cathedral is named after a disciple of St. Columba, and the first place of worship on the site was built in 580AD. The current building mostly dates from the 12th to the 16th centuries and features a stunning heraldic ceiling. After William Wallace was executed, one portion of his body was buried here, in the walls of the cathedral.

St. Machar’s Cathedral, The Chanonry, Aberdeen, +44 1224 485988

Interior of St. Machar’s Cathedral | © Keith Laverack/Flickr | © Keith Laverack/Flickr

St. Nicholas Kirk and Graveyard

Established in the 12th century, St. Nicholas Kirk — or The Kirk of St. Nicholas Uniting, to give it its proper title — is the site of many important burials of the important families of Aberdeen. It has also been extensively surveyed and dug by archaeologists, who have revealed much about the history of the building and people of the Royal Burgh of Aberdeen.

St. Nicholas Kirk, Union Street, Aberdeen, +44 1224 643494

St. Nicholas Kirk and Graveyard | © Stu Smith/Flickr

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Museum

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Old First Aid Kit, Aberdeen Maritime Museum | © Chris Hoare/Flickr

Partly housed in Provost Ross’s house, built in 1593, Aberdeen Maritime Museum takes visitors on a journey through the city’s relationship with the sea. From the days of the tall sailing ships right up to the present day and the oil and gas industry, this museum covers it all.

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Shiprow, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB11 5BY, United Kingdom

+441224337700

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His Majesty’s Theatre

Opened in 1906, His Majesty’s Theatre seats more than 1,400 people, making it the largest theatre in north-east Scotland. When it originally opened, shows would be performed to a staggering 2,300 people, across four different levels. Designed by the famous theatrical architect, Frank Matcham, this is a truly beautiful building.

His Majesty’s Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, +44 1224 641122

His Majesty’s Theatre | © michimaya/Flickr

King’s College Chapel

The 15th-century King’s College Chapel is the heart of the modern University of Aberdeen. Originally a part of the University and King’s College of Aberdeen, which was an independent university, founded in 1495, it was the third university to be established in Scotland — and the fifth overall in the UK.

King’s College Chapel, College Bounds, Aberdeen, +44 1224 272137

King’s College Chapel | © Stu Smith/Flickr

Pitmedden Gardens

Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and a short drive to the north of Aberdeen, Pitmedden Gardens was originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. There are over 30,000 bedding plants, a huge orchard, and honeysuckle and jasmine to add to the wonderful scents.

Pitmedden Gardens, Ellon, Aberdeen, +44 1651 842352

Pitmedden House and Gardens | © Stu Smith/Flickr

Pitmedden Gardens | © Stu Smith/Flickr

Provost Skene's House

Building

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Provost Skene's House | © Denisbin/Flickr

Dating from 1545, Provost Skene’s House is one of the oldest in the city. Lord Provost George Skene ruled the city from 1676 to 1685 and commissioned the wonderful carved plaster ceilings within the building. There are also extensive collections of furniture and costume.

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Flourmill Lane, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB10 1AS, United Kingdom

+441224641086

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The Gordon Highlander's Museum

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The Gordon Highlander’s Museum houses arms, memorabilia, clothing, medals and much more. Called by Winston Churchill ‘the finest regiment in the world,’ the Gordon Highlanders were originally raised in 1794 and have fought across the world in many campaigns.

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Viewfield Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB15 7XH, United Kingdom

+441224311200

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Aberdeen Art Gallery

Art Gallery

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Aberdeen Art Gallery Exterior | © Balazs Szanto/Flickr

Aberdeen Art Gallery was founded in 1884 and is a work of art in itself, with stunning carvings and granite stonework. Housing a remarkable collection, from Francis Bacon to William Hogarth, if you love art then this is certainly not to be missed.

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Schoolhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB10 1FQ, United Kingdom

+443000200293

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Aberdeen Beach

Many visitors to Aberdeen are surprised to learn of the beach, a swathe of golden sand that stretches between the harbour and the mouth of the River Don. As well as the beach itself, there is also a popular esplanade, full of amusement arcades, restaurants and shops.

Beach Esplanade, Sea Beach, Aberdeen

Footdee/Fittie

The village of Footdee, known locally as Fittie, is now entirely surrounded by the city of Aberdeen. Originally a fisherfolk village, this area is full of small and picturesque fishing cottages along narrow streets. It is exceptionally photogenic, with wonderful wee gardens and is only a short walk to the harbour mouth.

Footdee, North Square, Aberdeen

Duthie Park and David Welch Winter Gardens

Park

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This park, and the David Welch Winter Gardens it contains, is 14 acres of parkland, flowerbeds, play areas and a boating pond. The winter gardens house the second largest collections of bromeliads and giant cacti anywhere in the UK, along with banana trees, ferns and mosses. No matter the season, a visit to Duthie is worth it.

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Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB11 7TH, United Kingdom

+441224346421

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Greyfriar’s Church and Marischal College

Marischal College is the second largest granite-built building in the world, and the pinnacle of the city’s 19th-century constructions. Owned by the University of Aberdeen, it is leased to the council for their headquarters and, following extensive restoration and cleaning, once more gleams in the sunlight.

Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen

Greyfriar's Church and Marischal College | © Tom Bastin/Flickr

Sir Duncan Rice Library

This new library, only opened in 2012 by the Queen, houses the largest of the University of Aberdeen’s collections, with over 24 kilometres (15 miles) of shelving. There is a gallery and a café open to the public and the stunning architecture has won several awards.

Sir Duncan Rice Library, University of Aberdeen, Bedford Road, +44 1224 273330

Sir Duncan Rice Library Interior | © Chris Hoare/Flickr

Old Aberdeen

Originally a separate Royal Burgh, Old Aberdeen is full of historical and beautiful buildings. The area is extensively used and owned by the University of Aberdeen, and includes the Brig o’ Balgownie spanning the River Don, possibly the oldest bridge in Scotland, and built in the 13th century.

Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen

Grant's Place, Old Aberdeen | © Verino77/Flickr

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15 Must-Visit Attractions in Aberdeen

St Machar’s Cathedral

St. Nicholas Kirk and Graveyard

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

His Majesty’s Theatre

King’s College Chapel

Pitmedden Gardens

Provost Skene's House

The Gordon Highlander's Museum

Aberdeen Art Gallery

Aberdeen Beach

Footdee/Fittie

Duthie Park and David Welch Winter Gardens

Greyfriar’s Church and Marischal College

Sir Duncan Rice Library

Old Aberdeen

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