Top Aberdeen Art & Culture

Get to the heart of Aberdeen’s gin making culture at Aberdeen’s Distillery. Learn about the processes behind making Scotland’s favorite drink, and while you’re there, see how gin is made too, and where all of its aromatic ingredients come from. Meet the head distiller and see the whole distillery, then enjoy a gin tasting once the tour concludes, with alcoholic beverages and soda/pop included.

Explore the historic port city of Aberdeen and discover its hidden gems among the towering granite buildings and neo-gothic architecture. Find modern street art around unassuming corners, and find the city’s tunnels that form a maze underneath the streets. Learn about the witch trials that went on here in the 1500s-1600s, and see the old town where the city began as a tiny fishing village.

Start your day at the Port of Aberdeen, for a journey filled with breathtaking views and captivating stops. Your first destination is the stunning Falls of Feugh, just a short drive away. Stretch your legs and take in the natural beauty of the cascading waters, with a chance to spot salmon swimming upstream, adding to the magical scenery. Next, immerse yourself in the grandeur of Balmoral Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks. Wander the castle grounds at your own pace, enjoy a delightful lunch at the Balmoral Café, and dive into the royal history of this majestic residence. From the tranquil gardens to the elegant interiors, Balmoral offers a truly royal experience. Then, head to Ballater, a charming Victorian village nestled in the Cairngorms National Park. Explore quaint streets, browse local shops for handmade crafts, and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. End your day with a scenic drive back to Aberdeen, reflecting on the beauty and history you’ve experienced

Explore the murkier corners of Aberdeen at your own pace with this highly acclaimed self guided audio walking tour of Aberdeen.  Beginning from the Mercat Cross, you'll weave your way through hundreds of years of history while discovering the stories of piracy, slavery, and insurrection that the city hides in plain sight.  Hear about "Indian Pete" and his efforts to banish child slavery.  The tour is ready whenever you feel like taking a stroll. It plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. It does not need a network connection to work. If you've got an hour and want to see some of the grisly and gloomy corners that Aberdeen has to offer – this is the tour for you!

Soak up Scottish history and some of the country's most stunning scenery on this day tour from Aberdeen. After visiting the cliff top fortress of Dunnottar Castle, you'll head for Royal Deeside where you'll see ancient forest and magnificent waterfalls, and discover why the area is a longtime favorite vacation destination for the British royal family.

Step into Aberdeen with a friendly local discovery guide and uncover the Granite City’s character at your pace—choose a focused 1 to 2-hour intro or a rich 6-hour deep dive through elegant squares, cobbled lanes, sea-kissed streets, and story-filled kirkyards. Along the way, enjoy striking granite architecture, lively street scenes, hidden wynds, riverside or harbour viewpoints, and peaceful green spaces—stopping for photos, local tales, and insider tips that bring the city’s history and culture to life. This entirely walkable experience keeps to open-air highlights and public spaces, weaving in street art, centuries-old courtyards, and classic vistas, with time for spontaneous detours that match your interests. Expect a relaxed rhythm, plenty of anecdotes, and a genuinely local welcome—perfect for first-time visitors and curious explorers who want an engaging taste of Aberdeen.

Explore the lesser known history of Aberdeen, alongside discovering some of the newest street art, all along the old road into Aberdeen. Battles, kidnappings and a martyred monk – these stories all took place along the old road into Aberdeen. But the road has also been the focus of more uplifting incidents, from tales of drinking to struggles for equality. Scot Free Tours brings to life what used to be Aberdeen’s most important road, guaranteeing that you will never see it in the same way ever again. Discover hidden gems and sensational street art as we explore some of Aberdeen’s forgotten places. Scot Free Tours has been running tours since 2016. Since then we have become the top-ranked tour provider in Aberdeen, collecting TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 with more than five hundred five-star reviews.

Check out some incredible coastline as you and your small-group make your way through some coastal villages in Aberdeenshire. Visit Gardenstown and Crovie, and learn about their fishing and maritime heritage. Your guide takes care of the navigation while you just relax and enjoy the day out.

Discover a side to Aberdeen that you won't get on a typical sightseeing tour. This self-guided audio tour takes you through the ancient streets of the Granite City and deep into the depths of its murky past. Hear tales of bodysnatching, witchcrafts trials, and more as you stroll between such historic landmarks as Marischal College and the Mercat Cross.

This full-day GeoTour explores Scotland’s Old Red Sandstone (ORS) world — an arid landscape shaped by ancient rivers, lakes and floodplains — before finishing with a field-to-bottle gin experience at Arbikie Distillery, home of the world’s first climate-positive gins and vodkas. Led by Steve Adams, founder of Balgownie Geoscience with over 45 years of academic, industry and field experience, this tour offers a completely different 'On The Rocks' experience — combining deep-time geology, coastal scenery, climate innovation, and modern Scottish spirit craftsmanship.

Head off on a Scottish seaside adventure with your very own kilted Scotsman guide. Travel up the North East coast from Aberdeen, and find hidden gems all along the coastline, including caves, historic castles and ruins, and even places to find puffins and dolphins. Stop at the village of Cullen for a light lunch, then continue your journey, enjoying scenic views as you travel.

A great private tour (your group only) that explores stunning castles, coastal curiosities, caves, Count Dracula and an opportunity to taste Cullen Skink. Our day starts with one of Scotland’s most impressive castles, Dunnottar, perched on a headland of impregnable rock. We then head to an 800-year-old fortress called Fyvie Castle. Lunch is a superb restaurant in the historic coastal town of Cullen. Here you will have the opportunity to try the world-famous Cullen Skink. After lunch it is Bow Fiddle Rock, an outstanding natural feature, then the famous village of Pennan, as seen in the movie “Local Hero”. Then the unique geological feature called the Bullers of Buchan and after the dramatic Slains Castle which famously inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Closer to Aberdeen we visit Newburgh to see the wild seal colony that has lived there for centuries. Along the way there may be birds to be watched, dolphins to be spotted and seals to be seen. You can choose your own itinerary.

Get out of the city for a more-rounded experience of Aberdeenshire's diverse landscapes. This small-group tour from Aberdeen takes you along the stunning coastline to Dunnottar Castle, perched on a cliff with sweeping views of the North Sea; to the charming village of Stonehaven; to Mill of Benholm, a real gem hidden in the Mearns; and Greyhope Bay for the chance to spot dolphins and seabirds. Along the way, sample a selection of local treats.

We will take you on a fantastic guided walking tour round some of the most interesting historical areas of Old Aberdeen. We will explore include the buildings of the fascinating 15th Century University, a stunning 12th Century Cathedral with an amazing heraldic ceiling and a dark secret, other fascinating areas and a secret graveyard. Tours can be tailored to suit. Please note access to the Chapel interiors is subject to availability and seasonal opening times. Please contact us for details. At the end of the tour, we visit the very traditional Scottish Bar, St Machar’s, which opened in the 19th Century and has won many awards. Here you will have an opportunity to try a plate of the famous and delicious Scottish dish of Stovies (beef, potatoes and onions) and you can also choose a Scottish pint of beer or a single malt whisky (or another spirit) or a soft drink from the large selection. Vegetarian sides are available. Over 18's only.

Explore Old Aberdeen at your own pace on your very own private tour. With flexible start times and meeting points, this is the perfect way to discover the roots of the city that stands today. Discover Old Aberdeen through a local's eyes, uncovering the story of how two towns, Old and New Aberdeen, merged to form the vibrant city we know today on this 1.5 hour walking tour with your very own guide. Once the heart of religion and education, Old Aberdeen remains a centre of learning, with picturesque cobbled streets, where centuries of history await you around every corner. Join us and experience the heritage and soul of Old Aberdeen, where the city’s story began. Key sights: - Kings College - Bishop Elphinstone Memorial - Cruickshank Botanical Gardens - Sir Duncan Rice Library - MacRobert Memorial Garden - St Machar Cathedral - Iconic Aberdeen statuary …and other hidden gems!

Delve into the rich history of Aberdeen's Old Harbour, a vibrant nexus of commerce and adventure. This walking tour reveals the harbour's intriguing past, covering everything from Vikings to the modern day oil industry - and, of course, with a health dose of pirates along the way! Over the course of about two hours, wander through this historic area and uncover the stories that shaped the city. - Two-hour walking tour, covering 1.5 miles - Not suitable for wheelchair users; comfortable walking shoes recommended

Explore Aberdeen at your own pace with this acclaimed self guided audio tour of Aberdeen.  Beginning from Holburn Junction at the west end of Union Street, you'll weave your way through timeless streets while discovering the stories that the city hides in plain sight.  The tour is ready whenever you feel like taking a stroll. It plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. If you've got an hour and want to see all the major historical and cultural themes that Aberdeen has to offer – this is the tour for you!

Begin your journey in Royal Deeside at the Rob Roy McGregor statue, where the story of Scotland’s legendary outlaw sets the scene for your adventure. Travel through the stunning Aberdeenshire into the Cairngorms National Park, surrounded by mountains, forests, and timeless Highland scenery. Your highlight is Balmoral Castle, the Royal Family’s beloved summer retreat. Wander the beautiful grounds, explore the estate at your own pace, and soak in the atmosphere of this iconic royal residence. This private tour is designed for up to six guests and shaped around your interests. With a friendly, knowledgeable driver‑guide and a flexible itinerary, you’ll enjoy an authentic Scottish experience filled with history, landscapes, and unforgettable moments. Our mission is to create authentic, memorable tours and adventures.

Discover Aberdeen's local history and culture on this 1.5 hour walking tour with a local guide, available every day any time. Discover Aberdeen's rich history from being a small fishing settlement to the centre of oil for Europe. Make your way through some of the oldest streets, explore tunnels and retrace the steps of some of Aberdeen's most important figures in our (sometimes very dark) history. You'll also discover the amazing street art that has overtaken Aberdeen and has become a huge part of the culture. From unassuming corners to major buildings, there’s art around every turn and your guide knows just where to find the best of the best.

Food tells the real story of Aberdeen. On this guided walking tour, you’ll discover how the city was shaped by fishing, brewing, baking and trade — and by the people who worked in these industries every day. Starting near the harbour, you’ll hear about herring fishing, salmon rivers and overnight fish trains to London. Walk through historic streets where women once dominated brewing and alehouses, and learn why oats, rowies and smoked fish became staples of local life. Along the way, your guide will point out historic wells, markets, food streets and buildings that reveal how Aberdeen fed itself for centuries.

Experience Scotland’s geology, landscapes, and whisky heritage in depth on this immersive full-day Whisky 'On The Rocks' GeoTour. Your day begins at Aberdeen before travelling south to Perthumie Bay, where metamorphosed ocean sediments reveal Scotland’s origins deep beneath ancient seas. From here, you’ll continue to the clifftops above Stonehaven Golf Club, enjoying sweeping views across the Highland Boundary Fault — one of Scotland’s most important geological divides. You’ll spend time exploring the Midland Valley Terrane, beginning with the volcanic intrusions and Old Red Sandstone river and lake deposits at Cowie Shore. After a relaxed lunch (location TBC), the tour continues via the iconic Dunnottar Castle to Crawton, where you’ll walk among superbly exposed Devonian lava flows, coastal waterfalls, and a nationally important seabird colony. The day concludes at Fettercairn Distillery, where you’ll enjoy a full guided tour and tasting.

Explore the charming fishing villages of Scotland's east coast on this full-day shore excursion from Aberdeen. Begin your adventure with a scenic drive along the rugged shoreline, stopping in quaint coastal communities that reflect Scotland's rich maritime heritage. Visit the intriguing Peterhead Prison Museum, once a notorious high-security prison, to discover life behind bars. Later, continue to the vibrant fishing port of Fraserburgh, known for its bustling harbour and seafaring tradition. Return to Aberdeen via a picturesque coastal route, absorbing the region's culture and history. - Full-day tour from Aberdeen showcasing Scotland's east coast - Visit the Peterhead Prison Museum for a unique historical perspective - Scenic coastal drive with stops in charming fishing villages

Explore 600 million years of Scotland’s geological history on this dedicated half-day 'On The Rocks' GeoTour. Designed for visitors with limited time — including cruise guests arriving at Aberdeen South Harbour — this trip focuses on the landscapes, terranes, and dramatic fault zones that shaped Scotland. Led by Steve Adams, founder of Balgownie Geoscience with over 45 years of industry, academic, and field experience, this tour offers an engaging, beginner-friendly introduction to Scotland’s geology — the definitive 'On The Rocks' experience.