“The Tolbooth Museum is one of Aberdeen’s oldest buildings and one of the best-preserved 17th century gaols in Scotland. It features displays on local history and the development of crime and punishment through the centuries. The Tolbooth Museum provides a unique experience in the form of its atmospheric 17th and 18th century cells, original doors and barred windows. Displays include the Maiden and the blade of Aberdeen’s 17th century guillotine.”
Tolbooth Museum website
The Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Assumption, usually known as St Mary’s Cathedral, is Aberdeen’s Roman Catholic Cathedral.
“The Cathedral Church is the main place of worship in the Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen. It was opened in December 1860 as the principal Catholic Church in the west end of the city, replacing St. Peter’s Church in the Castlegate, when there were about 1,000 Catholics out of a population of 74,000 and the number of Catholics was increasing. It became the Cathedral (the church of the Bishop’s Chair ) when the post-reformation diocese was set up in 1878.
The architect of the church was Alexander Ellis, a local man. The spire, added with the bells in 1876-1877, was designed by R.G. Wilson. The church was rededicated in I960, the centenary of its opening, after the interior had been extensively simplified, anticipating by some years the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council between 1962 and 1965.“
Cathedral website
Fettercairn Distillery is one of the closest distilleries to Aberdeen and is situated 35 miles south of the city, near the town of Laurencekirk.
It was founded in 1824 by Alexander Ramsay, owner of the Fasque estate, who converted a corn mill at Nethermill into a distillery. After losing his fortune, Ramsay was forced to sell the estate to the Gladstone family in 1829. John Gladstone’s son, William Gladstone, went on to become Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer and was instrumental in passing various reforms on the taxation of whisky.
In 1973 Whyte & Mackay acquired Fettercairn distillery and it has remained with the company since.
Balmedie Beach and Country Park is situated 8 miles north of the Aberdeen. The long and wide beach is bordered by an extensive dune system that stretches 14 miles from Aberdeen to just north of the Ythan Estuary at Newburgh.
“Balmedie Beach and Country Park has a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach behind which are sand dunes, great and small, to explore. A total of 1700 metres of boardwalk assist visitor access through the dunes.
The park is within part of a dune system that stretches 14 miles from Aberdeen, to just north of the mouth of the River Ythan at Newburgh.
The beach is sandy and over the years has won a number of awards, including a seaside award in 2006 and 2007.
At the back of the beach is a substantial area of sand dunes, where the principal vegetation is marram grass, but also contains a range of other plants at home in this type of environment.
Two watercourses make their way to the sea within the area covered by the park, creating ribbons of wetland vegetation along their course.
On the landward side of the dunes is an area of stable grassland, where the car parks and picnic benches are situated.”
VisitAberdeenshire
Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z-plan castle in Scotland and one of the grandest ‘Castles of Mar’. It is located 16 miles from the Aberdeen, near Kemnay. The castle stands in over 300 acres of landscaped grounds, woodland and farmland which includes a walled kitchen garden of the 19th century. There is archaeological evidence of an older square tower dating from around 1400 or 1500 within the current construction.
“From the striking simplicity of the medieval Great Hall to the well-stocked library and Victorian bedrooms, a tour of the castle gives a sense of walking through history. Each laird stamped his personality on the family seat, from the various ways of spying on those in the Great Hall to trophies gathered on global adventures.
The panoramic views from the top of the round tower are spectacular, revealing the courtyard, gardens and estate beyond, ready to be explored. The distinctive peaks of Bennachie can be seen in the distance. There are two waymarked walks on the estate that offer magnificent views of the local area.
The traditional walled garden includes specimen trees, herbaceous borders, a medicinal border and organically grown fruit and vegetables.
Explore the Woodland Secrets adventure playground, featuring wooden sculptures, a bamboo snake walk, tepees, a tree hut and a giant xylophone.
Dogs are welcome in the grounds, but we ask dogs to be on the lead near the children’s play area and in the courtyard.
Relax in the tearoom where you can enjoy home baking, tasty soups and sandwiches.”
VisitAberdeenshire
The Gordon Highlanders Museum is based in Aberdeen, Scotland and celebrates the story of the Gordon Highlanders Regiment which was active from 1794 to 1994. It is a 5 star Scottish Tourist Board attraction
“The Gordon Highlanders Museum is a ‘5-star Visit Scotland’ Tourist Attraction based in the west end of Aberdeen. It is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the world-famous Gordon Highlanders Regiment for future generations to enjoy, providing a wide range of unique experiences for all visitors, young and old.
VisitAberdeenshire
2019 saw the opening of a fantastic new WW1 replica Trench exhibition which gives visitors the opportunity to wander through and explore what it might have been like for the soldiers serving in the trenches of World War 1.
Within the Museum they operate a Tea room, gift shop and have excellent conference and hospitality facilities as well as being able to offer beautiful memorial gardens to their visitors. The building is a grade 2 listed building and was the former home of Sir George Reid the eminent North East Artist and President of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art.
The Museum is an independent, self-financed museum, governed by a charitable trust.”
