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?

He-haw

Bit far out but the balmoral pyramid\cairns walks are nice. https://www.balmoralcastle.com/pyramid.htm

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/scotland/aberdeenshire/balmoral-cairns

Or the burn o vat walk just after Dinnet - include the lochs as well https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/burn-o-vat.shtml

Fittie at the end of Aberdeen beach,
Please remember people live there and it's their homes.

@KatPurrson what my kids remember most of all is how terrifying they found all the characters!

Ah the storybook Glen memories

Crathes is my favourite of the castles
What about Alford?

Thanks, this is a great suggestion for on the way back down on the Sunday and also reminded me that I want to visit the Arbikie distillery near Lunan although that shuts at 5.30pm so it might be a bit of a rush to get that far by then.

Thanks to everyone who's made suggestions,

In addition to the places I mentioned in the OP we've been to Burn o Vat, Fittie, and the lighthouse museum.

Newburgh Seal Beach could be a good call.

Like the look of the Balmoral walks.

Alford could also be an idea but there's a risk of me getting dragged into the Grampian Transport Museum - might save that for a wet weather option

You won't be getting either of us on a paddle board (I tried windsurfing once and do not have the core muscles or balance to get upright and don't enjoy the sensation of being on water in a boat let alone on a bit of fibreboard!)

Nivver. It’s slander ah tell ye.

I'm working my way through the things I've not heard of and Torry Battery with the cafe at the Greyhope centre sounds ideal - I'm surprised I've not been taken up there before. Starting to think 3 nights isn't long enough 😂 but it's OK cos we've already got plans to be back up again at the end of October!

I'm quite familiar with the various university campuses (campi?!) and have been up the library

Also can anyone recommend somewhere to get a buttery/rowie - in all the many visits I've not yet had one. (Somewhere easy to drive to with easy parking would be ideal)

Thanks, I'd never have thought to go here but I've googled and it does look worth a visit

Like the look of the Balmoral walks

The Balmoral walks used to close when the Queen was in residence in August. Not sure whether the King plans to stay there at all as he has Birkhall nearby where he stays instead.

Storybook glen is just spectacular 😂 I went the other week with a friend and her kid.

the ramp down to the glen, Jesus Christ! 😂

Nae barney aboot it

Youll get a good Rowie at thains bakery on George Street

That's where we're staying this week!! I love Fittie. Being able to walk along the beach and the harbour in the evening. Magical.

Arbroath cliff tours - kayak and walking tours

Murdoch Allan Rowies are good, you can find them in many supermarkets. If you are out towards Alford, Aboyne or Ballater way, Sinclair’s butteries are great. You can get them in Strachans. They are made in Huntly if you get that far.

Alford Valley Railway is back up and runs weekends , possibly more in the school holidays. And the Alford garden centre, next to the Transport museum, has a great ice cream parlour and coffee shop.