Aberdeen advice....hotels and sights

We stayed in Aberdeen a few years ago (not counting Covid times). Most memorable site was Dunnottar Castle outside Aberdeen in Stonehaven. We like castle ruins. Nice hike out to it. Stonehaven was a quaint little town, too.

We follow Aberdeen's football club and why we went up there.

@Troxstar, thank you for the suggestion of Dunnottar Castle. Several people have mentioned it to me and one of the Rabbies tours includes that. I've not looked to see if I can get there with public transport if I don't take a tour. I won't drive in Europe!

Do you remember where you stayed?

My suggestion in Aberdeen would be the Ibis- very central for shopping, and the bus and train stations. I've been very happy there before.

At the airport there is also Holiday Inn Express.

I'll be able to report back to you on the PI at the airport next week.

I always recommend a walk out (or a citybus) to Fittie (spelled Footdee)- a charming old fishing village at the north harbour entrance and on Saturday am intending to trial a walk out (citybus back if I am feeling lazy) to Torry point on the south side of the harbour- with the new South Harbour the other side of the point.
Yes there is a promenade you can walk north from Fittee to the River Don- a very nice seaside walk.

For Dunnottar Castle you can train to Stonehaven then the dramatic cliff walk to Dunnottar- about 2 miles. The local bus stops at the road end to the Castle to take you back into the city.
I don't know if you have picked up on the Deeside Way- which follows the old railway line as far as Banchory. There are lots of break points on the way to pick up a bus back into the City.
The Maritime Museum is a very interesting place- been there a couple of times.

The X7 (an hourly bus which goes all the way to Perth) and the infrequent 107 (both run by Stagecoach) are the buses to Dunnottar. I'm doing the full X7 route on Friday- it is a double decker coach-bus.

@isn31c, thank you so much for the information. I appreciate your comment on the Ibis Quayside. And yes, I think a previous post of yours mentioned the walk from Fittie to the River Don which sounded like something I would like.

I'd looked at the Airport Holiday Inn Express and the Crown Plaza because it looks like there is a covered walkway between them and the terminal building. There is PI, a Marriott and Moxy (which I think is also by Marriott) in addition to a bunch of others. I do not have any status with Marriott or Holiday Inn/IHG group or any hotel corporation so it really does not matter to me. I just want it to be convenient for getting to the airport to start my long flight.

Yes, I'd love your view of the PI after your stay and also of your walks. I just looked at Fittee to Torrey Point which would go near the Ibis. I'd google street viewed the area out by that lighthouse on Torrey Point yesterday when I was casting around for something to do. I also just looked at the Fittee area and the esplanade up to the mouth of the River Don and that looks excellent depending on the weather that day. I will probably want to walk and have some fresh air in my face after all that airport/airplane time, lol.

I may save the Rabbes tour and/or Dunnottar for a next visit!

For what it's worth (different city, different airport) we were very impressed with the Holiday Inn Express at Heathrow earlier this year. It was spotless, comfortable, and very quiet. The staff was extremely helpful, and the breakfast was generous and tasty.

I don't know if all that translates to Aberdeen, but it's worth checking out.

ETA: I forgot to mention: it was also very reasonably priced. I think it was about £120, breakfast included.

Jane....that's good to know!

Hi, Pam,

If you're looking for a centrally located hotel in Aberdeen, the PI on West North Street would probably fill the bill. The cost in August should run about $100.00 U.S. It's walking distance to the Art Gallery and the recently revamped Union Terrace Gradens, as well as the Maritime Museum. It's also very close to restaurants, pubs, and shopping on Union Street.

If you decide to take the Beach Promenade walk from Fittie to the Bridge of Don, be sure to stop at the Inversnecky Cafe for an ice cream. Scottish tablet flavour is a personal favourite. Once you get to the Bridge of Don, you can catch a bus on King Street to take you back in to town.

If you're really ambitious, you can cross over King Street, and follow a footpath along the south bank of the Don to the 13th century Brig o' Balgownie. From the bridge, turn left on Don Street, and after the first set of houses, there is a fairly well hidden gate in the wall, which will take you along the banks of the Don to Seaton Park. Once you exit Seaton Park, you can walk back to town through Old Aberdeen and the University, visit St Machar's Cathedral, or cut back over to King Street to catch the bus.

As far as eating in town, there are several restaurants in the area of Mercat Square, which is about a five minute walk from the PI. Personal favourites are Archie Simpson's, at the intersection of King and Union Streets, and directly across the square, Old Blackfriars, at the corner of Castle and Marischal Streets. (They serve deep fried Mars Bars, if you've ever wanted to try that Scottish delicacy.) The Prince of Wales pub, on St Nicholas Lane, is a great place for pub grub and for meeting locals. Best to avoid the restaurants on the upper floor of the Union Square shopping mall. The food would not be that different from what you'd get in Coeur d'Alene.

Much as I love Aberdeen, I have to say that the downtown area, especially between the Mercat Square and Union Terrace Gardens, is really run down. Mrs. A and I were there on a Saturday last July. Normally that area would be chock-a-block with shoppers, but Union Street was almost deserted. It wasn't much better between Union Terrace Gardens and Holburn Junction, either.

Duthie Park, which is on the north bank of the River Dee, would be a good place to visit. The Winter Garden is gorgeous at any time of the year, Duthie Park is about a 20 minute walk from central Aberdeen.

Stuart (isn31c) had mentioned the Torry Battery area. It's not particularly scenic, but you will get a great view of Aberdeen Harbour and the beachfront. You may possibly see dolphins in the estuary of the Dee, directly opposite the Battery. A slightly longer walk would take you around to Girdleness Lighthouse, although you don't want to be too close when the foghorn goes off!

Marischal College is worth a quick view. It is the second largest granite building in the world. I don't know whether their museum is still open, but it's worth checking into.

If you're interested in things military, the Gordon Highlanders' Museum is out near Rubislaw Quarry. You'd need to take a bus there, however. The quarry, which is now pretty much filled in with water, was once one of the largest granite quarries in the world. Most of the buildings in Aberdeen were built with Rubislaw granite, which is why Aberdeen is often referred to as the Granite City.

As others have mentioned, Dunnottar Castle is definitely worth a visit. It's very easily reached by train and bus from Aberdeen. There is a footpath from Stonehaven Harbour, if you fancy a bit of a hike. The path goes by the World War One monument, which is on a hill just outside the town.

I hope that has given you some more ideas about how to spend your time while you're in Aberdeen. I'm sure that others will chime in.

Best wishes for your travels!

Mike (Auchterless)

Mike! Thank you for the information. I remembered from my forum search someone recommended ice cream on the Beach Promenade, lol!! I've got that info in my itinerary now, hahaha. Now I've got to figure out what flavor "Scottish tablet" actually is. Does it taste like granite or sandstone? You know...like those pretentious wine drinkers who taste granite or the flavor of roses from the North slope of Alaska?

I've also googlemapped out the walk you gave me. It looks like it's about 6 miles RT from the Ibis, probably similar from the PI as well. That's doable if the weather is nice. I will particularly like walking along the beach, the river and the view from the Brig o' Balgownie! So...keep to the south side of the River Don the whole time, right?

Thank you all so very much! You've all given me way more than I can accomplish in 1 full day of touring. I don't get in until 430P on the first day and leave at 8:55A on my departure day so no chance to work anything in on those days. On the way back thru I arrive on an earlier morning flight in to Aberdeen so will have most of a day and might be able to catch one or 2 things that day as well.

Looking forward to this trip!

Well, I have zero help except to say this sounds like a fantastic idea!

Hahaha....well TexasTravelMom...this is not nearly a long enough trip to suit you!!

Hi, Pam,

Scottish tablet is a traditional sweet consisting of sugar, whole milk, condensed milk, and butter. The standard recipe calls for two pounds of sugar (!!), one cup of whole milk, one can of condensed milk, and six tablespoons of butter. It is very sweet, and very satisfying. The nearest American food to tablet would be vanilla fudge (not the 1960s rock group!), but tablet is slightly grittier and crunchier.

If you're going to the Inversnecky, ask for a single nougat with one dip of vanilla and one dip of tablet. Heaven, but messy! If you're eating it outside, beware of marauding seagulls. They can spot a tourist from a mile away!

As you're walking along the Beach Esplanade, just past Cadona's Amusement Center, you'll come to a large roundabout. On the far side of the roundabout is the Beach Ballroom. The Beatles played there on January 6th., 1963, opening for the Johnny Scott Band. They earned 45 pounds for their performance.

I forgot to mention that if you visit the Art Gallery, you should cross the Denburn Bridge to one of Aberdeen's most famous corners. Known as Education, Salvation, and Damnation, the buildings are Education (Central Library), Salvation (St. Mark's Church), and Damnation (His Majesty's Theatre). Directly across from these edifices is a larger than life statue of William Wallace. Union Terrace Gardens are just to the left of the statue.

When you visit Fittie (Footdee), note how all of the little houses are built facing away from the North Sea. They were designed that way to protect the residents from the fierce North Sea storms. Fittie is one of the most unique communities in Britain.

If you're interested in splashing out for an excellent lunch or supper, The Silver Darling, on Pocra Quay (south end of Fittie), is probably Aberdeen's most famous (and expensive) restaurant. As the name implies (silver darlings = herring), the restaurant specialises in seafood. Great views across the Dee Estuary to the Torry Battery, as well. (As long as it's not raining!)

I've been to Aberdeen more than any other place in Scotland, so I know it well. It's off the normal tourist trail - more of a place to stay while you're visiting the sites outside the city. But it definitely has its charms. If you're lucky, you'll hear some of the older residents speaking in Doric, which is a dialect exclusive to the Aberdeen area.

Best wishes for your travels!

Mike (Auchterless)

Two more things:

Provost Skene's House, which dates from 1545, is one of the best museums in the city, and has many exhibits about the history of Aberdeen. Free admission. It's on Broad Street, directly across from Marischal College.

The Upperkrust Cafe, on Upperkirkgate (the downhill street leading away from the entrance to Marischal College) does wonderful sandwiches, soups, and stovies. They also have baked goods to die for (try the fly cemeteries), and they usually have homemade tablet, if you'd like to try it in its original form. Prices are great, as well!

Oh gosh, thank you for the additional information, Mike!

Since you remember the Beatles then you probably remember those big detergent tablets called Salvo? That was the first thing that came into my mind when you said the flavor was Scottish tablet, lol. Your description sounds a whole heck of a lot better! On my recent trip to Northern England Mark, the guide, got me hooked on the ice cream treat called an oyster that has marshmallow creme and vanilla ice cream with a Flake. Not sure anything can be sweeter than that, haha!

I'll copy your extra information into my itinerary!

I don't mind at all that it's not a touristy town. I'll see what I can see and enjoy what I do there!

Hi again, Pam,

I just added a bit of information about Provost Skene's House and the Upperkrust Cafe. Hope you caught that.

Mike (Auchterless)

Thanks for pointing out the additions!

The sister of a friend had mentioned Provost Skene's house and to ask about the Priest Holes (which I'm not sure whether they are there or at a nearby house). And something about the ceiling, lolol....

Scottish tablet is like crack cocaine - one bite and you're hooked, Pam!

And I will also vouch for the Holiday Inn Express - I stayed at the Glasgow Airport one, and it was phenomenal. Great staff, very comfy bed with large fluffy pillows, decent amount of room, and their included breakfast caters to traveler's hours. Continental breakfast starts at 4 am and the cooked breakfast starts at 6 am. I don't know about the Aberdeen one but the Glasgow HIE also served food for dinner, which was very good. You order at the bar and then they deliver it to your table. Good vegan options, too.

Also (not that it's a dealbreaker), Dunnottar Castle can only be accessed by climbing 200 steps. Just sayin'...😜

Just doing due diligence planning - if doing the extension of the River Don walk on to the Brig o'Balgownie and into old Aberdeen I've just noticed the Cruickshank Botanic Garden near St Machar's Cathedral, which is free and open from 0900-1900 daily.
You think you're late planning- I'm doing so while literally waiting for a 55 minute late train north.
I'm only 15 minutes walk from the station, and can see on tracking that the train is late, so haven't left the house yet!

I've got a combined day bus pass for both Stagecoach and First Bus for less than the cost of either's own individual passes so can go anywhere in the city that takes my fancy. I booked that this week as an add on to a phantom train ticket I have booked to Stonehaven.

"Scottish tablet is like crack cocaine"

Mardee!! Well, it's totally non-vegan but honestly since I returned to travel after Covid I've been more flexible with eating non-vegan stuff. Particularly desserts, lol. I will have to see if they have Scottish Tablet flavor on the Orkneys and Shetland! Yikes.

And omg....200 steps...well, that just moved to the bottom of the list!!

isn31c/Stuart - when I was looking at the walking routes back from the Brig o'Balgownie on googlemaps I also saw the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens and made a mental note of that! Laughing at your ... um... forward planning! I am currently planning out to 2025 if that gives you any insight into the way my brain works!

Thank you for the continued help! I hope Stuart got where he wanted to be today!

Hi, Pam,

Just make sure you get some homemade tablet - not the supermarket brands like Mrs Tilly's. There's a world of difference!

Mike (Auchterless)

Pam,
I am at the airport now. The HIE and the Courtyard do have a covered walkway from the airport, which has a long break across the rental car lot, about a 6 minute walk to the terminal.
From the PI and the Leonardo Inn walk down to the roundabout, then along the non public road beside the rental car lot, then join the said covered walkway, about a 10 minute walk.
Coming on the 727 airport bus all stops are announced. The stop for the HIE, Moxy and Courtyard is announced as such and as International Avenue and is 2 stops before the airport, the next stop (one before the airport) is for the PI and the Leonardo Inn, announced as such and as Argyll C!ose.
The Hilton and the Aloft are 3 stops before the airport at the P and J arena, over a mile away, so not at all convenient.
Sixt, Europcar, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National and Hertz are the rental companies at the airport. The first airport bus from Union Square Bus Station is at 3am, then hourly to 6am then 1/4 hourly, seven days a week, so the City Centre is just as convenient, fare £4 or £7.60 period return or an Aberdeen day ticket for all Stagecoach is £4.90

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for your research! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Pam, I know this isn't what you are looking for since you are heading on the small minivan tour up in Orkney -- but it's really the countryside outside of Aberdeen that is special.

The two can't-miss sites for me are Dunnottar Castle outside of Stonehaven and Craigievar Castle. Totally different eras and feels and utterly fabulous.

I am sorry I don't know anything about hotels in town as we stayed out at Ardoe House on the road that roughly parallels the Dee River. But it sounds like you have gotten good recommendations.

It's really gorgeous stunning countryside out there. I hope you will feel up to a bit more transit time !

So exciting that you are undertaking this trip with "little" advance planning !

Kim, thanks for your thoughts!!

I could book a Rabbies tour to Dunnottar and then see what I actually want to do that day. It’s 46£ and I could afford to eat that if I didn’t want to spend the day in a van. But probably better to book ahead in case that sounds like what I want to do. I will have about 3/4 of a day on the return trip that I could do the beach and riverside walk.

Pam,
I said I was going to do a hotel review on the Airport PI.

It was very quiet, in terms of noise, not physical numbers there. Very friendly staff. The check in machines were broken, so I checked in with a real person (yea). Unusually I had to ask about adding breakfast on,- usually they try to up sell. I looked at the "tuck shop" prices, very fair, even a book exchange there. The AC worked well, as did everything else. The Wi-Fi worked well, yes I was streaming and uploading a lot of images from the morning's work. So I gave it a good run through. I am reviewing this location on this day.
As usual at a PI I slept like a log, but after a 39 hour day with 2 hours or so of brief naps I needed to.
Continental breakfast served from 6am, cooked from 7, 7 days a week. Bacon crispy, surprisingly good quality sausages. Everything else well cooked. And fruit compote to go with your cereal. I had been looking forward to my crumpets, in the event I had muffins and pancakes. Pancakes are both American and very Scottish. They even had peanut butter for your toast etc.
I actually found on leaving this morning that Argyll Close goes down past the PI to the Crowne Plaza where you can join that covered walkway. As well as the PI restaurant there is a pub just down the road and a quite reasonably priced one at the Airport with a beer garden (which has a granite carving of a Baby Boar). If the evening meal is as good as breakfast then £15 on the meal deal would be worth it.
If you take it for what it is I am struggling not to justify giving 10/10 for it, which I don't do for an airport chain hotel.
Maybe the only thing to dock a point for is that parking is chargeable, but reasonable rates, and honestly at an airport they have to, to prevent abuse.
That didn't affect me, not will it you, so I am clutching at straws to deduct a point, but I am nothing if not honest.
Yes I was annoyed after booking the PI on Mike's advice to find out that the HIE was £20 cheaper, but c'est la vie.
When I get home I will update and expand on Mike's posts above, re Aberdeen as a city.

Again, totally not helpful, but I am loving reading this thread anyway. My only contribution is to be careful or we may become even MORE alike - now you are booking a trip and then deciding what you are going to do. 🤣

Don't forget that if you want to buy some haggis, you can pick some up at the Costco in Aberdeen. 😉

We loved our trip to Scotland back in 2018 and always said we will go back, especially to see the Orkney’s. With all this great information on Aberdeen going to add it to the itinerary as well.

Pam, have a great time and look forward to the TR, I know you will do!

Stuart...that is a wonderful review of the PI. I have one ridiculous question....is it uphill from the airport? I saw some review somewhere (maybe Trip Advisor) complaining it was uphill but unless it's really steep that wouldn't bother me. In looking at google streetview it looks like it might be a slight hill but nothing really steep. That is good to know that you can work your way to the covered walkway if the weather is yucky.

TexasTravelMom, you know this way of planning is out of my comfort zone! I'm trying to emulate you, lol! OK, really maybe just going to an "A" place but "A"berdeen is not nearly the "a"dventure "A"lbania was, lol!!

Mardee...I actually had vegan haggis in Edinburgh a few years ago. It was pretty good but even if I'm not strictly vegan on this trip I don't see haggis or any organ meats being in my future! Ice cream, yes. Fish/seafood, yes probably. Thanks for the tip on where to purchase, though...I think, hahahah!!!

Tammy, you know I always do a TR and now I'm really obligated due to the wonderful help I've gotten here!

Pam,
Yes it is uphill. The airport is at the bottom of a hill. All the hotels, and the car rental lot are up a hill. The walkway has an incline. It's one of those hills which is fairly shallow and not hugely perceptible, but visible from the bottom of the walkway. Now the likes of the Moxy really are a climb- I would certainly say for there take the bus.
But you are getting off the bus from the city, and it's a wee bit downhill from that bus stop, and you are walking down hill in the morning!
The HIE and the Courtyard are a bit lower on the hill than the PI- my aim is not to sell any one hotel brand!!

To me it is significantly more of a grade in central Aberdeen to walk up from the harbour side/Bus & Rail Station to the Ibis, or from the Ibis up the ginnel to Union Street. To complain about that is rather over stating things. It would considered to be a legal grade in the UK to classify for wheelchair use unassisted.

The real reason I was in Aberdeen was to go to the Piping Festival at Duthie Park, which was a wonderful experience by the way. Next year it should I am told return to Inverness.
The experience was marred by the way by Aberdeen Council closing all roads within a near mile radius and telling no-one of the decision. I tried to get there by a local service bus which should stop straight outside and ended up hoofing it the last 3/4 mile away. Good job I had a map or I would have been lost. The free shuttle bus, advertised as going to the entrance, stopped short a 15 minute walk away (run by Hydrogen powered buses, by the way). Afterwards I tried again to get a local service bus from a stop outside the closure, along with others, but again it couldn't reach the stop. Eventually I was forced to get the shuttle bus back into the City. When you entered the park security said quite rudely that the rest of the park was closed and not to stray away from the piping arenas- which turned out to be utter poppy cock, I can testify that the Winter Gardens are wonderful, if visiting the park.
If visiting the park on a normal day I warmly recommend downloading the guide leaflet from the city council website- I found it very useful.

The previous day I had wound my way up the A92 (the coastal road) on the local service bus- a very scenic run, far nicer than the A90- the direct main road, which gets more scenic the further north you go (this whole paragraph is for other readers, not you). I strongly suggest stopping at the Lower North Water Bridge, a mile south of St Cyrus to read the history tablet on the bridge. Fascinating, also the impressive old railway viaduct. at Gourdon the Maggie Law Maritime Museum looks as if it should be a very interesting bridge. Both that and Johnshaven further south are very attractive little fishing villages with tiny roads

The X7 does indeed stop a bare 1/4 mile from the entrance to Dunnottar Castle- the bus shelter has a garden on the roof. There is a difference between reading a timetable and checking physically.

If I had not been delayed at Dundee I had intended to visit Torry point at Aberdeen on the Friday night to free up time on the Saturday hoping to see dolphins. However that was not to be. So at 0615 on Saturday I went out there. Two things to note. Mike didn't mention the ruins of the old St Fittick's Church just below the bus stop at Balnagask. The gate looks to be padlocked, but that is just show, it's not (worth a quick diversion). The bottom part of the road is closed for the South Harbour development so you have to cut across the golf course to get to Girdleness lighthouse, then round to the South breakwater lighthouse and then the Battery. Even at 0700 the Battery was open, as was the Visitor Centre and Cafe, and there are very new looking 'Kazuba composting loos there' which 'simply use sunlight and wind'. Look out for the very nice wall mural beside the road, and the sandy beach below. There were lots of people there who reckoned they had seen a pod of dolphins (at the 'wrong' end of the day). My eyes could not pick them up but I could visit Alaska and miss the dolphins- I did that with the whales in Greenland. Beautiful views over Fittie and the wonderful beaches along the Esplanade. If you continue round you have the bizarre sight of two lighthouses (leading light to be technical) in the middle of the street in an oil refinery- do read the signs about the history of the lost community of Torry. It was a super 2 hour walk- could have been done far faster. (continued below).

(continued)

I didn't have time to do the Esplanade walk but caught the #13 bus via Fittie up to the Bridge of Don. To me that bridge is too traffic clogged to be unduly special, but it's a beautiful riverside walk to Balgownie. The Brig o'Balgownie is something special, as is the tiny community. Do look for the tablets on the side of the old Mission building. The gate Mike mentioned looks like it is always open but there is a big green sign which says Welcome to Seaton Park. That is a lovely walk. Eventually you come to where the river divides to go round an island in quite formal gardens. There is a very good noticeboard there. Go a little bit further to see the Walled Gardens, the Motte of Tillydrone (now actually believed to be a prehistoric burial site) and the Wallace Tower- this was originally called Benholm's Lodgings and is a 15th century tower house. It was moved here from where Marks and Spencer now is in the City Centre. Return to the noticeboard, then turn left and first right, down the dead straight Cathedral walk- beautiful formal gardens.

St Machar's Cathedral dates back to the 12th century and is well worth looking round and the walk there. Continuing down The Chanonry brings you to the Botanic Gardens and what a delight they are. If you get the timing right bus #20 departs at 6 minutes past each hour from the south side of Machar Drive and takes you straight down through Old Town- likely very welcome after all the walking. I was by now 2 1/2 hours late for the piping but a richly rewarding morning. Walking up the Esplanade from Fittie would have put me closer to 4 hours late.
I am really pleased I added the two walks in.
The Bridge of Don can be reached by a variety of city bus services and on almost all long distance buses into Buchan (Peterhead and Fraserburgh).

I was too tired to investigate in the evening, but I am certain that the Bullers of Buchan and the puffins can be visited by the Peterhead bound buses #61 and #63 from Aberdeen. You don't need a car to get there.
Had the day been too bad for piping my plan (withdrawn on the Tuesday) had been to go on a coastwise service bus tour through Peterhead and Fraserburgh all the way to Elgin via Cullen. If that had happened I would certainly have gone to the Bullers as it was on a plausible route back.

This isn't exactly a trip report, more a set of random thoughts.

Some random facts about Aberdeen from the international arrivals corridor at the Airport this morning-
Forbes Magazine was founded in 1915 by Bertie Charles Forbes, born at nearby New Deer;
Sir Patrick Manson, who discovered that Malaria was spread by mosquitoes, was born in nearby Oldmeldrum in 1844;
The first written evidence of a game we now call football (soccer) was in a book published in Aberdeen in 1633. Pittodrie Stadium was the first all seater covered stadium in the UK.

And the Aberdeen Association Football Club played at what is now the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens from 1888-1898 (wall plaque at the gardens).

And finally all airport buses are scheduled to be operated using Electric buses.

isn31c, if you are not a professional writer, you should be. I am swooning over some of your phrases.

I totally agree with Jane, isn31c. Your posts are well-written and always full of great information.

Pam, so happy to hear about your tour. I know it will be wonderful and so much fun.

3rd vote for Stuart's writing!

Thank you so much for all the random thoughts and information and what fun the piping festival must have been! Wow. I was thinking the Balgownie Bridge would be lovely. The gardens sound terrific as well! Thanks for the specifics on transport as well!

Bullars of Buchan sounds great although I saw puffins in May in the Farne Islands and may see birds again in Orkney and Shetland if they've not already started their migration.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I was too tired to investigate in the evening, but I am certain that the Bullers of Buchan and the puffins can be visited by the Peterhead bound buses #61 and #63 from Aberdeen.

Stuart, they can - I actually passed that bus as I was leaving the Bullers car park. And Pam, it's worth going for the incredible scenery. You probably won't see puffins there unless you go around 6 or 7 pm (at least that's what the woman said who lives in the cluster of house next to the Bullers).

Had the day been too bad for piping my plan (withdrawn on the Tuesday) had been to go on a coastwise service bus tour through Peterhead and Fraserburgh all the way to Elgin via Cullen.

That sounds like fun! A bus tour would be a wonderful way to see all those places!

Pam,
This brand new You Tube video might interest you- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDMCqK1yQ0Y

Thank you for thinking of me! I had to look up Butteries and laughed at the end with his disappointment at the Doubletree, hahaha. Good Grief!

I've fallen down the rabbit hole of Pictish Stones this afternoon, lol. Apparently I need at least a week in the Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire area, lol. Will just have to add it to the to-do list.....

Twelve pounds to park at the Bon Accord Centre? You can park at the beach for free, and walk in to town.

Scott was wrong about Aberdeen being litter free. He must have arrived just after the street sweepers! Union Street, especially between the Castlegate and Union Terrace Gardens, is awash with sweetie papers, fag ends, and styrofoam food containers.

For anyone who is confused, "butteries" and "rowies" are the same thing.

Best "quick bite" spot in Aberdeen is the Upperkrust Cafe on Upperkirkgate. Great food, great prices, and homemade baked goods (including tablet) to die for! Best fly cemeteries ever! The only downside is that they only have three tables. I wrote their first ever review on TripAdvisor (8 August, 2014). They've added a table since then.

Scott and Sue are definitely right about the Winter Gardens. BTW, parking is free at Duthie Park.

To whomever is next to visit Aberdeen, have a wonderful time!

Mike (Auchterless)

Mike, I could tell he was horrified at the parking fee.

Now is tablet different than Scottish Tablet, the ice cream?

Pam, I didn't try it but saw Scottish Tablet ice cream in one shop, and in at least that shop, it was a vanilla/caramel flavored ice cream with small chunks of Tablet in the ice cream.

Agreeing with Mardee—that’s what the tablet ice cream I had (twice!) at Howies in Edinburgh was like: chunks of tablet folded into caramel-y ice cream. If I attempted to make it myself, I’d probably blend a little dulce de leche into vanilla ice cream and then fold in some chopped-up tablet from one of the bars of butter tablet I brought home from my trip.

Hi, Pam,

Scottish tablet ice cream is actually the flavour of the ice cream. The kind I have at the Inversnecky is blended - it doesn't have the bits of tablet in it. I'll have to try that other kind sometime - sounds yummy! Tablet and Scottish tablet are the same thing. Just a wee bit of marketing, but tablet is pretty much exclusive to Scotland - I've never seen it anywhere else. Just like deep fried Mars bars - a Scottish invention!

Although they weren't invented in Scotland, ice cream fritters are another Scottish favourite. If you've seen the 1984 Scottish movie Comfort and Joy, starring Outlander's Bill Paterson, you would probably think that fritters were invented in Glasgow. However, the movie resulted in a great upsurge in the popularity of this super sweet confection.

Make sure that you have a dental appointment scheduled for soon after you return from your holiday!

Mike (Auchterless)

“Make sure that you have a dental appointment scheduled for soon after you return from your holiday!”

Well, that’s hilarious because September and March are my dental appointment months, 😁😁

Thanks to everyone for the education on Scottish sweets! My countdown timer says 35 days!!

Pam,

Something which I have just seen tonight about the Brig o' Dee- the main southern approach to the City.

It was built in around 1514 and originally had a Chapel next to it as a resting place for pilgrims heading to Aberdeen, and was on the old drovers road from Stonehaven. It was rebuilt around 1720 and widened in 1841.

George Gordon, 6th Earl of Huntly with his Catholic supporters rebelled against James VI of Scotland and confronted the King at the Brig of Dee on 17 April 1589. There was no battle and Huntly surrendered a few day later. The bridge was the site of a battle in 1639 between the Royalists under Viscount Aboyne and the Covenanters who were led by the Marquess of Montrose and Earl Marischal. This was the only substantial action of the First Bishops' War (which otherwise happened mainly at Berwick upon Tweed), and it took place after the peace treaty had already been signed.

The 1st Bishop's War was the first action in the 14 year Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

So some interesting history.