More unusual things to do around Aberdeen

[curly100]

DP and I have got 3 nights in the Aberdeen area coming up (from Fife) and I'm looking for inspiration. We were last in Aberdeen at the end of October (so have seen the refurbished art gallery and Union Terrace Gardens) and whereas DP seems to find comfort in familiarity I crave new experiences. We usually cover quite a bit of distance so have previously been up to Peterhead/Fraserburgh/Slains Castle/Pennan/Keith/Dufftown (have also done eg Portsoy/Elgin/Cullen, etc from Inverness previosuly), across to Ballater/Braemar, down to Stonehaven/Dunnotar Castle. Similarly far too familiar with the area between Aviemore and Grantown.

We like walks with a purpose rather than walking for the sake of walking! Max 2-3 hours circular and with a toilet & cafe on hand is ideal. Not huge fans of National Trust type properties/castles/distilleries unless there's something different about them eg the architecture of the Macallan Distillery.

Please inspire me - places to go, things to see, any interesting temporary exhibitions/installations?

Have you been out to Finzean ? Lovely farmshop cafe there with excellent food and lovely walks all around . Art galleries nearby .

I haven't heard of Finzean but I've just googled and it's exactly the kind of suggestion I'm after so thanks very much for that!

Great : you won’t be disappointed

Finzean pronounced Fingin

Can also suggest the coast south of Stonehaven. It's possible to walk from inverbervie to St Cyrus. We frequently do Gordon to John's haven. Fab little cafe in Johnshaven , and a couple of interesting little museums/gallery places. Great fish and chips in Gordon also

Have you been to the Peterhead Prison Museum? I've heard it's really good and it's on my list for a future trip.

Aberlour, Findhorn, Forres

Aboyne area - Glen Tanar, Burn o vat - google them.
Collieston- on the coast north.
All the castles ! Just fab.

Oh, Storybook Glen if you haven’t already.

Walk round Loch Muick. Decent drive from Aberdeen, but lovely walk.
Forvie Sands for a walk. Dunottar castle. Use the AllTrails app.
Banchory and Ballater have lovely wee shops/ cafes/ hotels.

Banchory has various walks from the town and near by. We love going to see Falls of Feugh, especially when the salmon are jumping. Lots of cafes and wee shops. Milton of Crathes just outside Banchory which has galleries etc.

The maritime museum is really good.

Torry Battery and the Greyhope cafe is nice
Best views across the city and good spot for seeing dolphins.

Old Aberdeen is quite interesting for a wander if you like old buildings. The university campus is nice, public are allowed up to the top of the stripy glass library and you can go on to Seaton park via Cruickshank gardens/ the Chanonry.

Duthie Park and the winter gardens.

The council also have some self guided walks https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/local-history/heritage-trails

It's now the Den and the Glen. Not sure it's the kind of thing OP is looking for...

Is this a joke? They're a couple of adults.

A manky kids play area for 2 adults? Nope!

A Treasure Trail round old Aberdeen or the coast south of Stonehaven?

The lighthouse museum in Fraserburgh is good

The aquarium in Macduff likewise

The walk up the river Don - might see otter - to the Auld Brig o' Balgownie then a wander round Old Aberdeen?

Cruickshank gardens, old Aberdeen

I’m assuming you’ve been to the beach at Newburgh to see the seals? If not it’s worth a trip and the Newburgh Inn is good for a meal. An hour south and would take some planning but thoroughly recommend https://www.arbroathclifftours.com We did the kayak tour and it was well worth it but he now does walking tours as well. Also, Edzell has a really good walk https://visitangus.com/blue-door-walk/ and there are several cafes / pubs in Edzell for afterwards.

We love Fitdee, i think its called, at the end of Aberdeen beach

@somethingwickedlivesnextdoor @ShadesofPoachedSmoke
@StripedTomatoes

Now there’s no need to be Po-faced about Storybook Glen

Lol!

Or the Grassic Gibbon centre then a walk on St Cyrus beach?

Fitdee is also lovely as is St Cyrus beach

Laughing about storybook glen. I went there when I was 17 with my Auntie when she lived in Aberdeen at the time. I'm 53 now and it was a manky old place then. I took my Dad up about three years ago and we went to the Maritime Museum which is excellent. If you're into football there is a fantastic statue of Denis Law not far from there as well. Who interestingly never played for Aberdeen.

Paddleboarding at Stonehaven? Then lunch at the Tolbooth or Marine to warm up after.