What to do with 2 days when getting off the ferry in Aberdeen?

I’m not one for one-night stays but I’d either do 1 night Aberdeen and the night before your flight back in Edinburgh or 2 back in Edinburgh.

If you returned to Edinburgh, on your full day you could consider a day trip with one of the companies that does that if you’ve exhausted the sights of Edinburgh.

Enjoy Shetland! It’s one of my favorite places! So amazing!🤩

Since you arrive on Friday morning, take the bus or train from Aberdeen to Dundee. This will give you much of the day on Friday and a good part of Saturday to see Dundee or even take a quick trip to St. Andrews. (About 35-40 minutes by bus from Dundee.)

On Saturday evening, take the Fly Dundee direct from Dundee to Edinburgh Airport nonstop and stay at a hotel near the Edinburgh airport. Slightly more expensive than the train or regular bus both of which requires a transfer from Central Edinburgh to the airport.

I've taken the Fly Dundee Bus a couple of times. Easy and convenient.

BTW, I'm sitting in Dundee right now.

Question.....are you flying out of Edinburgh direct to home or heading down to London? If London, there are direct flights from Dundee to London. I've also taken this one numerous times and I'm scheduled again in a few days.

Thanks! We also try to stay away from one night stays, but it might make more sense in this instance. And, hotels in Edinburgh are so expensive!

Is there more to do/see in Aberdeen or Dundee? Good day trips from either one?

Thanks for the fly Dundee tip! We’re headed back to the US after.

Hi, annshandle,

As you'll have Friday to be footloose in Aberdeen, you could possibly visit the Maritime Museum, which is a short walk from the ferry terminal. You could also visit nearby Provost Skene's House, which dates from 1545, and is considered to be the oldest standing house in the city. There are several good places to visit in the city, most of which are outwith the city centre. There are several companies running day tours by minibus from Aberdeen. A coastal tour would be good, or a tour along Royal Deeside.

McGill's Coaches operate the Aberdeen Adventurer, which is a hop on/hop off bus which takes visitors around the historic parts of the city. It might be worth taking the Adventurer to find parts of the city which you'd want to explore in more detail.

You could also take the Stagecoach bus (X7?) to near Dunnottar Castle, which is just south of Stonehaven. Alternately, you could take the train to Stonehaven, and walk or take a taxi out to the castle. If you decide to train and walk, have a look at the impressive WWI memorial on the hilltop before the castle approach. Stonehaven itself is an attractive town, with a beach and harbour. It also has Britain's largest open air heated sea water swimming pool. And is the birthplace of the deep fried Mars bar!

If you're heading south, you could conceivably take the train or bus to Stonehaven, visit Dunnottar, then take ongoing public transportation south from there. Montrose and Arbroath are also good for a half day visit.

There are several good hotels near the ferry terminal in Aberdeen. As you'll be there in May, you should be able to find a room (or rooms) at a reasonable price.

Enjoy Shetland (and Aberdeen)!

Mike (Auchterless)

So many folks here seem to ignore Aberdeenshire. But there is so much to see, especially if you enjoy castles or fishing villages.

Here are a couple posts with ideas on outings around Aberdeen.

Fishing village and maritime museum

Day trip from Aberdeen

There are also organized day tours that may be of interest.

Rabbie's Aberdeen Tours

At Stonehaven there is also the Boardwalk sculpture trail- https://www.foodiequine.co.uk/2019/01/stonehaven-boardwalk-sculpture-trail.html

Dunnotar Castle would be my choice for a day trip. It is a stunning setting. The only proviso would be that it can be closed at short notice in bad weather, especiall,y if there are strong winds.

There is an equally dramatic walk along the cliffs to get to it...

Stonehaven is also an attractive small town with a harbour and is worth spending a bit of time there too.

In Dundee you have..

--the V & A Museum;

--Discovery Point (The Discovery was a ship that explored the Antaractic. The ship itself and everything on board--placed into the adjacent musuem--is on display. It's also next to the V & A.)

--the McManus museum (Art and History)

--the Verdant Works (musuem dedicated to the jute industry in Dundee.)

--HMS Unicorn (Royal Navy warship from the early 1800's.)

--Discover Dundee, the city's hop on hop off bus, runs from late May to late September.

--and as mentioned previously, an easy day or half-day trip to St. Andrews.

Depending on the time of your flight out of Edinburgh, you could, theoretically, stay two nights in Dundee and take the FlyDundee bus on Sunday morning. You have backup of the regular trains and buses to Edinburgh. I suggest you make a reservation regardless of which service you use if you decide to use it. The FlyDundee bus takes one hour and 20 minutes and drops you off in front of the terminal.

Hotel prices in Dundee are much lower than Edinburgh. If you decide to stay in Dundee, let me know and I can help you with hotels.

Great advice already, especially from Auchterless and Frank II.

If you do decide to go to Dundee (and I'd recommend it for sure), then check out the Staybridge Suites or Indigo Hotel. They are both part of the IHG group, usually have reasonable deals including breakfast and are very walkable to the main attractions including the Discovery and V&A.

If you do decide to go to Dundee (and I'd recommend it for sure), then check out the Staybridge Suites or Indigo Hotel. They are both part of the IHG group, usually have reasonable deals including breakfast and are very walkable to the main attractions including the Discovery and V&A.

I know these hotels very well. (They are in the same building. The Staybridge is probably a better deal as it comes with free breakfast, self-service laundry (free), Coffee and Tea available for free 24/7, and a filtered water machine offering still and sparkling water.

If you decide to stay at either, I'd suggest taking the bus from Aberdeen to Dundee as the Dundee Bus Station (Seagate) is a five minute walk from the hotel. It's a 20 minute walk from the train station or about 6 GBP cab ride. The bus from Aberdeen is cheaper and more frequent than the train.

How do I know all of this...I've stayed at this hotel many, many times. The last time being.....tonight.

Frank II - I totally agree with you. I prefer the Staybridge too and have stayed many times.

So many great suggestions! I’m going to do some research. The castle sounds good, but I’m also going to check out the tours.
Thanks all!

Aberdeenshire is gorgeous.

I would find a way to visit a ruined castle in a dramatic coastal setting -- Dunnottar - and a refined castle inland with nooks and crannies everywhere and a lovely pink/peach exterior - Craigievar. My favorite castle of all. And seeing the two makes for a wonderful contrast.