Aberdeen has a wide variety of leisure facilities, entertainments,
shops and places to visit. Some of the major facilities and
attractions in the area are listed here, but for more information,
contact the Aberdeen tourist information centre. Aberdeenshire
and the north-east of Scotland have many tourist attractions.
We have a variety of brochures and leaflets in the front hallway.
Transport
Buses: Several Firstbus routes go to the
city centre (Union St) every few minutes from the bus stop
across the road from the guest house. These are colour-coded
for easy identification. The yellow, blue, claret and turquoise
buses go into the centre, and return past Powis Place. From
Union St, Firstbuses travel to most parts of the city. Full
route information and timetables are available from the Firstbus
info office. Phone the BUSline on (01224) 650065 or visit
the Firstbus
website.
Stagecoach Bluebird operates a variety of services travelling
from Guild St bus station to outlying parts of the city and
across the country. Contact Stagecoach on (01224) 212266 or
visit the Bluebird
website.
Taxi: Several operators provide services
across the city including:
Central Taxis (01224) 899686
Aberdeen Airport Taxis (01224) 773512
Mair's City Taxis (01224) 724040
ComCab (01224) 35 35 35
Rail: Scotrail operates services to/from
Aberdeen across Scotland and the rest of the UK. Phone the
information line on 08457 484950 or visit the Scotrail
website.
Ferry: Northlink operates services to Orkney
and Shetland from Aberdeen. Visit the Northlink
website or phone 0845 6000 449. Caledonian MacBrayne operates
services around the Western Isles. Phone 01475 650100.
The Traveline is a national hotline for complete
bus, coach, ferry and rail travel information. Phone 0870
6082608.
Air: Aberdeen airport (Dyce) serves the
UK and Europe with a variety of flights. Phone the airport
on (01224) 722331 or visit the BAA/Aberdeen
website.
Car rentals: There are many hire operators
offering competitive rates, including:
Car
Rentals
Car
Rental Hire
Car
Hire Express
Local and Nationwide Tourist Information
Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board has information on things
to see and do, places to visit and events in the Aberdeen
and north-east area. Phone (01224) 288828, visit the website,
or visit the Tourist Information Centre at 23 Union St.
VisitScotland (Scottish Tourist Board) is the main Scottish
tourist information centre, with info on accommodation, tours,
activities and more. Phone 0845 2255 121 (within the UK) or
+44 (0)1506 832 121 (from outside the UK) or visit the VisitScotland
website.
Another complete Scottish tourism guide and info directory
is Travelscotland.co.uk
The Aberdeen
City Council website has comprehensive information about
the city and its venues, events and places of interest such
as museums and galleries.
Places to Visit
Some of the major museums and tourist attractions in and
around the city are listed here. There are many more attractions
within day-trip distance around the North-East - see the tourist
information links above.
Galleries and Museums
Aberdeen Art Gallery hosts a variety of exhibitions and has
an extensive permanent collection. The gallery is on Schoolhill,
next to the Robert Gordon University campus. Phone (01224)
523700 or visit the website.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum, on Shiprow, is home to fantastic
exhibitions covering the city's long association with the
sea, including fishing and the oil exploration industry. Phone
(01224) 337700 or visit the
website.
Grampian Transport Museum in Alford has over 100 road vehicle
exhibits, many still working, and organises vintage rallies.
Phone (019755) 62292 or visit
the website.
Castles and Historic Sites
There are many castle in the Aberdeen area, most of which
allow visitors to tour the rooms and grounds, offering a fascinating
insight into the way families lived in years past, back to
medieval times. The National Trust for Scotland maintains
many castles, historic buildings and estates. Visit the NTS
website or phone (0131) 243 9300.
Balmoral Castle, near Ballater, is famous as the Royal Family's
Deeside residence. Visitors can view an exhibition of paintings,
china, silverware and tartans. There is fishing and pony trekking,
and a tea room and shop. Phone (013397) 42534 or visit
the website.
Drum Castle, near Drumoak, is a medieval tower house with
Jacobean and Victorian extensions, gardens and grounds. Phone
(01330) 811204 or visit
the website.
Dunnottar Castle is a dramatic clifftop ruin dating from
the 13th and 14th centuries, near Stonehaven south of Aberdeen.
The site has seen a fair share of Scots history. More recently,
it was the setting for Mel Gibson's film version of Hamlet.
Phone (01569) 762173 or visit
the website.
Crathes Castle and gardens, near Banchory south-west of Aberdeen,
dates from the mid 16th century, with additions in the 18th
century. Visitors can explore the castle and extensive formal
gardens. Phone (01330) 844525.
Slains Castle, a huge ruin dating from the 16th century on
the coast north of Aberdeen, is famous as the setting for
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and the inspiration for
Count Dracula's castle. The Old Slains Castle ruins nearby
dates from the 14th century.
Fyvie Castle, north-west of Aberdeen, is an impressive tower
house with royal connections dating from the 11th century,
with extensions during the 13th to 17th, and gardens including
the Garden of Scottish Fruits. There are many exhibits, including
extensive art and armour collections. Phone (01651) 891266
Castle Fraser, west of Aberdeen, is another tower house with
gardens. Phone (01330) 833463.
Other Visitor Centres/Attractions
Archaeolink Pre-history Park, near Insch, takes visitors back
6000 years to the time of the Picts with re-enactments and
open-air exhibitions. Phone (01464) 851500 or visit
the website.
Satrosphere, on Constitution St, is the place for budding
scientists to visit. It offers interactive exhibitions and
activities covering science and technology and a gift shop.
Phone (01224) 640340 or visit
the website.
Storybook Glen, near Maryculter, is a magical world of make-believe
featuring more than 100 nursery rhyme and fairytale characters
in lovely gardens. Phone (01224) 732941 or visit
the website.
Leisure and Entertainment
Aberdeen has a range of clubs and arts venues with varied
programmes. Most major events will be advertised in the Press
& Journal, the main local daily newspaper.
Arts and Music
Aberdeen Music Hall hosts a variety of music performances,
from rock concerts to operas and classical orchestra performances.
Visit the website
or phone the box office on (01224) 641122.
His Majesty's Theatre has a continuous programme of operas,
plays and pantomimes. Visit
the website or phone the box office on (01224) 641122.
Aberdeen Arts Centre stages plays, musicals, comedy shows
and other events from a range of amateur and professional
arts groups. Visit
the website or phone (01224) 635208.
The Lemon Tree has a varied programme of live music of all
kinds, comedy, dance, theatre and more.Visit
the website or phone (01224) 642230.
Cinema
The Belmont has three screens showing a mixture of arthouse,
classic, foreign language and mainstream films. Visit
the website or phone (01224) 343536.
The Lighthouse Cinema has seven screens showing the latest
releases. Visit
the website or phone 0870 240 4442.
UGC Cinemas has a nine-screen multiplex offering the latest
films. Visit the website
or phone 08701 55 05 05.
Nightclubs and Pubs
Aberdeen has a number of nightclubs, some offering regular
live music. There are too many to list here! For a comprehensive
list, refer to the yellow pages.
Sport and Leisure
Golfers are in luck! There are many clubs around Aberdeen.
Refer to the yellow pages
for a comprehensive list.
The Beach Leisure Centre is the largest leisure and sports
centre in Aberdeen, and offers swimming, ice sports (including
skating, hockey and curling), a variety of indoor sports and
a gymnasium. Phone (01224) 647647 for more information.
Megabowl Aberdeen is situated on George St, not far from
Arkaig, and offers ten-pin bowling, Quasar (Laser Tag), snack
bar, entertainments and bar.
At Aberdeen Beach, The
Boardwalk (01224 583338), Sunset
Boulevard and Codona's (01224 595910)
There are many more sports centres, gyms and health centres
in and around the city. Again, refer to the yellow
pages for listings.
There are many outdoors activities centres around the Aberdeen
area and the north of Scotland, offering karting, quad-biking,
horse riding/trekking, paintball, hiking, mountaineering,
skiing and more. The yellow
pages have listings, and there are a number of links of
the various tourist information websites mentioned above.
You may find that there is so much to see and do in the area
that you need to extend your stay with us... ;-)
