As the third largest city in Scotland, Aberdeen has an abundance of historical things to do and see. Also known as the “Granite City”, Aberdeen’s old grey buildings tell the stories of a time gone by. Aberdeen is well known for its harbour, royal connection as well as the many individuals who have contributed to both the history of Scotland and the world. Below I’ve listed 10 Historical Things to do in Aberdeen, Scotland.
1. Take a walk through Castlegate.
One of the most notable areas in Aberdeen is Castlegate. A central part of the city, it is the place where a medieval castle once stood, although it is believed to have been destroyed during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Castlegate was also a prominent medieval marketplace, where Aberdeen’s merchants would have traded their goods. In 1686, the Mercat Cross was erected, which can still be seen today. It consists of a set of stairs leading to a small platform where announcements were made, and is said to have been of particular importance to the Jacobites.
Today, visitors can wander around Castlegate, which is filled with various shops and pubs. Visitors are also only steps from the Gallowgate, which is where public executions used to take place. As Castlegate has always been an important area of the city, it’s worth a walk through if in the centre.
2. Visit the Provost Skene’s House, the oldest surviving townhouse in Aberdeen.
One of the most spectacular sights in Aberdeen is the Provost Skene House. The house dates back to the year 1545 and is the oldest surviving townhouse in the city. It’s named after 17th century merchant and Provost of Aberdeen, Sir George Skene, and has recently opened to the public as a museum, which showcases the history of the people of Aberdeen.
Visitors are able to learn about the individuals who contributed to the city’s history and culture, which includes writers, actors, scientists, business professionals, sports stars and more. Alongside the stories, the house is also an interesting piece of local history. It’s been altered many times over the years but is a fascinating piece of Aberdeen architecture.
3. Wander around the historic grounds of Aberdeen University, founded in the 15th century.
As the third oldest university in Scotland, the University of Aberdeen has long played a central role in the city’s history. The university dates back to medieval times when it was founded by William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland. The university began with the opening of King’s College, and a particular focus on training teachers, clergy and doctors. In 1860, King’s College merged with Marischal College to create the modern University of Aberdeen.
Today, the university campus is located in Old Aberdeen, and its cobblestone streets and historic buildings make a picturesque setting for studying. Visitors are free to walk around the campus and explore the many interesting sites including King’s College Chapel, Elphinstone Hall and The Old Townhouse.
4. Visit St. Machar’s Cathedral in Old Aberdeen.
While in the Old Aberdeen area, I also recommend visiting St. Machar’s Cathedral. Located right next to the university, a cathedral was first built on site in the 12th century. Construction continued over the next few centuries and was eventually completed in 1530. Due to the Scottish Reformation, which took place during the 16th century, today St. Machar’s Cathedral is not technically a cathedral, but High Kirk and has a number of notable features to explore.
St. Machar’s is well-known for its ornate ceiling which dates back to the year 1520 and is believed to be one of the earliest flat ceilings in a British public building. On the ceiling, you’ll find 48 shields that represent the church, Scotland and Europe at the time it was built. Another highlight of visiting St. Machar’s is the Pictish Cross, which is believed to date back to approximately the year 600. It’s believed the cross could have possibly come from the very first church built onsite by Machar himself at the end of the 6th century.
5. Explore the historic fishing village of Footdee.
Footdee (also known in Scots as Fittie) is a historic fishing village located in the east end of the city. The village itself most likely dates back to medieval times with the current buildings dating back to the 19th century. The village was designed by John Smith, a Scottish architect also known for making additions to Balmoral Castle, with the intent to. re-house fishermen and their families who were living in poor conditions in the area.
Today, the village is still residential, but is a much more artsy neighbourhood, which makes it a pleasure to wander through. One interesting aspect you’ll notice, is that all of the doors of the cottages face inwards, to protect them from the harsh waves that come up over the walls from the sea. With the picturesque cottages and the smell of sea air, you can imagine what it would have been like living here all those years ago.
6. Try some tasty local seafood.
After visiting Footdee, you’ll definitely want to try some of the local seafood. The fishing industry has played a central role in Aberdeen’s history and the city is a fantastic place to have a fresh, tasty seafood meal. The fishing industry in the Aberdeen area is believed to date back as far as the 12th century, but it was in the 19th and 20th centuries that the city became a particularly important fishing port.
There are a number of great restaurants around the city where you can try some delicious local dishes, however one of my favourites is the Moonfish Cafe. The restaurant is located in Aberdeen’s historic medieval quarter and offers an array of fresh, local seafood.
7. See Marischal College, the world’s second largest granite building.
One of the most impressive buildings in Aberdeen is Marischal College. Located in the heart of the city on Broad Street, it is the second largest granite building in the world. Marischal College was first founded in 1593 as a university and later in the 19th century merged with King’s College to become Aberdeen University. The current Marischal College building began to be constructed in the 1830s with a second part being added in the early 1900s.
Today, Marischal College is the headquarters for the Aberdeen City Council and remains a stunning piece of architecture. In front of the building, visitors can also see a statue of Robert the Bruce, Scottish King and leader during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
8. Have a drink in a historic pub.
Scotland is well known for its historic pubs and Aberdeen is no exception. The city is filled with old pubs, or newer pubs located in old buildings. If you’re looking for something really historic, you can visit Ma Cameron’s, often referred to as the oldest pub in Aberdeen. If you’re looking to have a drink in a historic location, Old Blackfriars provides a cozy setting along Castlegate. Whichever pub you choose to visit, make sure you try some traditional favourites, such as local beer or a tasty local Scotch whisky.
9. Explore Aberdeen’s maritime history at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
As you’ve seen already, the fishing and shipping industry has been important to the history of Aberdeen. A central part of these industries has always been the Aberdeen Harbour, with its 900 years of history making it the oldest existing business in the city.
At the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, visitors can explore a number of artifacts, ship models, artworks and interactive displays that give an insight into not only the fishing and shipping industry, but also the more modern oil and gas industry. The museum is also partly located in the 16th century Provost Ross’ House, which is another interesting historical building to see.
10. Take a trip outside of the city to one of the many historic sites in Aberdeenshire.
While there are lots of historical things to do within the city of Aberdeen, if time allows, it’s also worth a trip to the surrounding area. Aberdeenshire is home to Scotland’s Castle Trail, which consists of over 260 castles and stately homes waiting to be explored (although it’s good to note that some of them are ruins).
Scotland is also well known for its whisky production and I would highly recommend visiting one of the distilleries in the area. And if you’re interested more mysterious history, you can visit one of the many stone circles in the Aberdeenshire area. The stone circles date back to the Bronze Age and are fascinating because, although there are many theories, no one knows exactly why they were built or what they were used for.