6 Unusual Things To Do And See In Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire, in the northeast of Scotland, is full of surprises. There is so much to see and do, no matter what the weather is like, which season you visit, or whatever your budget. Some attractions are well known, but others are a little bit more unusual, like the six options here.

1. Glenesk Folk Museum

Museum

The Glenesk Folk Museum is situated in Angus and was one of the first museums in the UK to use living history as a means to educate visitors. Over the years the collection grew and the museum is now housed in a recently refurbished, purpose-built centre. Here you can learn all about what it was like to live in this corner of Scotland in a far more interactive and hands-on experience than many museums – dress up in period clothing and play with the toys your ancestors would have known.

Little Known Stone Circles

Visitors to Scotland are often surprised to learn just how many ancient standing stones and circles cover the country. Some, like the Ring o’Brodgar are internationally famous while others, like those in Aberdeenshire, are less well known. Incredibly, there are around 100 such sites in the county, including those at Kirkton of Bourtie, Easter Aquhorthies, and Tomnaverie. These sites are thought to date from the Bronze Age and were most likely erected at a similar time to Stonehenge.

2. Peterhead Prison Museum

Museum

The idea of voluntarily going to prison may seem a bit odd, but the experience is well worth it! Opened in 1888, Peterhead Prison Museum was Scotland’s first convict prison and stayed in use until 2013. Known as ‘Scotland’s Alcatraz’, and also often referred to as a place of no hope, Peterhead has now been turned into a fantastic visitor experience which opened in 2016 and has garnered excellent reviews. Here you can learn all about the history of the prison, from early days right up to the riot in the 1980s that was only ended by the intervention of the SAS.