Whether you want to explore the nearby museums, take a stroll through the parks, or just sit in a coffee shop and people-watch, Aberdeen is plenty of intriguing things to do. However, with a network of public transportation choices and a vast range of locations available, it is also ideally situated to explore a larger region.
1. Whisky tours
Whether you love whisky or despise it, visiting a distillery will deepen your understanding of Scotland because whisky is so closely linked to Scottish history and culture. Although Aberdeenshire is conveniently located for day trips to the renowned Speyside whisky-producing region, it also offers its own treats known as “The Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire.” You can create your own route or take one of the daily bus trips that leave from Aberdeen; just be careful if you are driving and don’t sample the goods!
2. Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle
Visitors to Aberdeen must take this day trip. Stonehaven, a little town, is only 15 miles (24 km) south of Aberdeen, and Dunnottar, a historical fortress built on the cliffs, is only two miles (three km) farther south. The Scottish crown jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland, were originally hidden at Dunnottar, a magnificent and picturesque ruin, from Oliver Cromwell’s army.
Stonehaven is a quirky small town with a beach, a beautiful harbor, and a number of great restaurants. Every year, the town also hosts a number of unique festivals, including as a folk festival, Highland Games, a classic car rally, and the fabled Hogmanay fireball ceremony. It’s possible that the town is also where the notorious deep-fried Mars bar was created, which would be a questionable honor.
3. City Trips
Dundee, Inverness, and Edinburgh can all be reached by train in one hour and fifteen minutes, two hours, and two hours, respectively. This makes each of these locations the perfect destination for a day excursion, and the trip itself is a bonus because the train travels through the stunning Scottish countryside.
This is especially true in the summer when the longer daylight hours allow you to gaze out over the gently illuminated landscape well into the night. Stirling, with its magnificent castle perched above the rest of the town, is another possibility.
4. North Aberdeenshire and the Moray Coast
The northern coast of Aberdeenshire is a terrific place to visit because it combines spectacular cliffs, sand beaches, and intriguing fishing communities like Boddam, Rosehearty, and Fraserburgh (which receives the most shellfish of any harbor in Europe). There is a ton of wildlife in this area, and dolphin sightings are fairly common.
Other area attractions include the Macduff Marine Aquarium, Scotland’s deepest seawater tank, and a wonderful introduction to the enormous variety of species found in the nearby seas. There is also a Scottish Lighthouse Museum close by, in Fraserburgh.
5. St. Andrews and Glamis Castle
A day trip to St. Andrews is essential if you enjoy playing golf. There are seven golf courses in this renowned town, which is also known as “The Home of Golf” and where the game was first mentioned in writing in 1552.
St. Andrews is not only about golf, though; it also has the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world, a crumbling castle, a number of top-notch stores and eateries, and most importantly, everything is close by. The castle of Glamis, a location rich in history, mystery, and legend, is only a brief detour from St. Andrews, which would be more than enough to keep you entertained.
6. Royal Deeside
You can reach Royal Deeside by traveling along the Dee River west of Aberdeen in the direction of the Cairngorm Mountains’ growing mass. Deeside refers to the region that surrounds the upper sections of the river, and Royal refers to the fact that this is the British Royal Family’s summer residence.
Their castle at Balmoral is one of many in the region, which is bordered by amazing mountains that may be scaled and sprinkled with lovely communities to discover. Outdoor recreation options are many, ranging from leisurely forest strolls to more strenuous mountain biking, skiing, and gliding.
7. Cairngorm Mountains
These offer an array of snow sports activities throughout the winter, including downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and even sledding. Mountain climbers eager to complete munros are drawn to the Cairngorms’ alpine environment. Other mountain-specific wildlife in this area includes ptarmigan, mountain hare, and snow bunting in addition to reindeer.
The forests and slopes are put to new use as the snow melts, becoming hundreds of miles of hiking, mountain biking, and even pony-trekking pathways. You may get this outdoor adventure playground by traveling west on the A93 road from Aberdeen.
