Aberdeen Tours

About Aberdeen

Aberdeen is Scotland's third-largest city, built almost entirely from locally quarried silver-grey granite that sparkles in the sunshine — earning it the enduring nickname the Granite City. Sitting on the northeast coast between the mouths of the rivers Dee and Don, it combines urban sophistication with dramatic coastal scenery and easy access to some of Scotland's finest castles, whisky, and countryside. The city centre's granite architecture is striking — Marischal College on Broad Street is one of the world's largest granite buildings. Union Street, the main thoroughfare, is lined with granite facades. Aberdeen Art Gallery houses one of the largest collections in Scotland, with a modern renovation that added a rooftop with panoramic city views. The Maritime Museum, housed partly in a historic provost's house, tells the story of Aberdeen's centuries-long relationship with the North Sea — from fishing to oil and gas. A ship-shaped glass gallery gives dramatic harbour views. Old Aberdeen, the medieval university quarter around King's College (founded 1495) and St Machar's Cathedral, feels like a separate village with cobbled streets and ancient buildings. Fittie, the former fishing village at the southern end of Aberdeen Beach, features granite cottages and quirky decorations. The beach itself is a long sweep of sand with dolphins regularly spotted offshore — Aberdeen is one of the best places in the UK for coastal dolphin watching. Dunnottar Castle, 15 miles south near Stonehaven, is the region's must-see day trip. This dramatic clifftop ruin played a central role in Scottish history and is one of the most photographed castles in the country. The surrounding Aberdeenshire Castle Trail connects 19 castles across the region. Royal Deeside, leading to Balmoral Castle (the Royal Family's Scottish residence), is 45 minutes west.