Explore Aberdeen: Gateway to the North-East Coast & Royal Deeside

Aberdeen is Scotland’s granite city on the North Sea, a place where long beaches meet a working harbour and rivers run inland to castle country. It’s the natural hub for the north-east: clifftop strongholds to the south, seabird headlands to the north, and Royal Deeside—the River Dee valley toward Balmoral and Braemar—rising to the west. Dundee offers a compact waterfront and design museums, but Aberdeen works better as a base if you want coast, castles, and Deeside in one plan.

• Why base here: Easy day loops to Dunnottar Castle, Deeside estates, and Buchan cliffs; beaches and Old Aberdeen in town.
• With/without car: Works both ways. Trains/buses cover Stonehaven and Deeside; a car opens clifftop lay-bys, high glens, and flexible loops.

Getting There & Around

Flights land at ABZ (Aberdeen International). Trains from Edinburgh/Glasgow run up the east coast. Drivers reach the city via the A90 from the south and the A96 from Inverness. In town, local buses are frequent and the beach is a straightforward walk from the centre. Trains reach Stonehaven in ~20 minutes for Dunnottar; buses run along Deeside toward Banchory, Ballater, and Braemar. For cliff stops north of the city (Bullers of Buchan, Cruden Bay), a car is simplest.

Where to Stay

For walkability, look to Union Street and the West End (near shops and restaurants). Beachside hotels sit near the promenade if you want sea air on your doorstep. If you prefer greenery and quieter nights, Deeside villages (Banchory, Ballater) offer inns within easy reach of estates and trails.

Food & Drink

Seafood is the headline—harbour spots and the old fishing quarter serve fresh catches. Old Aberdeen and the university area add cafés; the West End leans modern Scottish. Along the coast, you’ll find ice-cream shops and bakeries in most towns; inland Deeside favours cosy inns.

Must-See in Town

Aberdeen itself blends a long shoreline with polished granite landmarks and pockets of older character. You can fill a full day here before branching out to castles and coast beyond.

• Old Aberdeen & King’s College: This was the city’s medieval heart, now part of the University of Aberdeen. Cobbled streets lead past the 15th-century King’s College chapel, with its crowned spire, and into quiet quadrangles still used by students. At the edge stands St Machar’s Cathedral, built of grey granite with twin towers, one of Scotland’s oldest cathedrals still in use. Good for: medieval history, quiet walks, architecture.
• Footdee (“Fittie”): A 19th-century fishing settlement tucked beside the harbour mouth. Its tiny cottages face into squares rather than the sea, a deliberate design to shelter fishermen’s families from North Sea storms. Brightly painted doors and sheds give it a village feel within the city. Good for: photography, coastal character, short strolls.
• Marischal College: Founded in 1593 and rebuilt on a grand scale in the early 1900s, this immense granite complex is one of the largest granite buildings in the world. Its spires and pinnacles dominate the centre, once housing a university college and now serving as Aberdeen City Council’s headquarters. Even a quick look at the façade shows why Aberdeen is nicknamed the “Granite City.” Good for: architecture, city images, quick heritage stop.
• Beach Promenade: A long, level walkway runs along Aberdeen’s seafront, backed by parks, cafés, and arcades. To the north it softens into dunes at Balmedie Beach, while to the south you can watch ships entering the busy harbour. Sunrise here can be spectacular. Good for: breezy walks, families, sunrise runs.

Satellites from Aberdeen

Aberdeen is well placed for day trips in every direction: dramatic castles on sea cliffs, royal estates in wooded glens, and nature sites where seabirds and seals gather. Most are reachable within an hour or so, making them easy additions to a city stay.

• Dunnottar Castle (Stonehaven): Perched on a headland 20 minutes south by train or 30 minutes by car, Dunnottar is one of Scotland’s most dramatic castles. Its ruined towers stand on a sea-stack plateau, reached by a steep path, and once sheltered the Scottish Crown Jewels from Oliver Cromwell. Good for: history, coastal drama, photography.
• Royal Deeside (Banchory, Ballater, Braemar): West of the city, the River Dee winds into wooded valleys lined with estates and villages. Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s summer retreat, opens its grounds seasonally. Ballater and Braemar are gateway villages with inns and walks, and Braemar hosts the annual Highland Games. Driving times range from 45 minutes to Banchory, 1 hour to Ballater, and 1 hour 20 minutes to Braemar; buses also run regularly up the valley. Good for: heritage, gardens, gentle hikes.
• Bullers of Buchan & Cruden Bay: About 35–45 minutes north by car, this stretch of coast is known for its collapsed sea cave forming a natural arch alive with seabirds in spring and summer. Nearby Cruden Bay offers a sweeping sandy beach and the clifftop ruins of Slains Castle, which partly inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Good for: wildlife, coastal walks, literary connections.
• Moray Coast (Elgin, Lossiemouth): Just over an hour to the northwest, this gentler coastline offers wide beaches, fishing heritage, and the roofless grandeur of Elgin Cathedral, once called the “Lantern of the North.” Trains from Aberdeen reach Elgin in about 90 minutes via Inverurie. Good for: beach days, heritage stops, slower coastal drives.

Practical Notes

• Sea haar: North Sea fog can roll in quickly—carry a warm layer and expect sudden changes in visibility.
• Clifftop paths: Exposed edges in places; keep children and dogs close and watch footing in wet weather.
• Access: Promenade and Old Aberdeen streets are mostly level; castle ruins and cliff sections involve uneven ground and steps.