Old Aberdeen Historical Walking Tour

We will take you on a tour to some of the most interesting historical areas of Old Aberdeen and Aberdeen.
In Old Aberdeen, we explore the buildings of the 15th Century University, a 12th Century Cathedral with an amazing heraldic ceiling and a dark secret. We visit other fascinating areas and buildings and a secret graveyard very few locals know about.

We then take an interesting 25 minute walk to historic parts of Aberdeen’s City Centre.

Whilst exploring impressive historical buildings and areas, including one of the world’s largest granite buildings, you also learn about and visit the sites of the brutal realities of medieval times. Aberdeen has been the site of military invasions, riots and body snatching and you also find out about the local officials who colluded in the 18th century to kidnap and sell children.

Our tour covers 800 captivating years.

Access to Chapel interiors is subject to availability and seasonal opening times. Please contact us for details.

Meeting Point

St. Machar's Cathedral

The Chanonry, Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 1RQ, UK

The gates of St Machar's Cathedral.

What's included:

• Guided walking tour of Old Aberdeen and Aberdeen

Not included:

• No drinks or snacks included in cost
• Gratuities

What to expect:

Duration: between 3 hours and 3 hours, 30 minutes

St Machar's Cathedral

Chanonry, Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 1RQ

Stunning cathedral building with an amazing Heraldic ceiling, dating back to the 14th Century. Also infamously where a part of "William Braveheart Wallace" was buried and the scene of many a grave robbing.

30 minutes

Seaton Park

Seaton Stables Don Street, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB24 1XS

St Machars is on the edge of this Stunning and vast public park. The formally private grounds were given to the city in the 20th Century. Famous for it extensive flower beds that make the park very colourful in the summer.

5 minutes

Old Aberdeen

High street, Aberdeen

This part of the walking tour round Old Aberdeen, includes the famous Powis Gates, The Town House, The Mercat Cross amongst other places and a 16th century secret graveyard that very few locals even know about.

50 minutes

King's College Chapel

College Bounds, High Street, Aberdeen, AB24 3EE

The original part of Aberdeen University dating back over 500 years and other fascinating historic buildings and monuments. The iconic tower is topped by an imperial crown, a story in itself.

35 minutes

Spital

Spital, Aberdeen AB24, UK

We take a 20 minute walk towards Aberdeen City Centre passing many interesting and historic buildings.

20 minutes

Marischal College

Marischal College Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AB

Marischal College is one of the world’s largest Granite Buildings. Built in 1593, and now guarded by Robert The Bruce it was originally used as a university. This stunning building sits next the Tolbooth and looks down on the location of where many a public execution took place. We walk past the marked site of these gruesome practices.

10 minutes

Castlegate

Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB10 1BD

The home of Aberdeen's famous "Mercat Cross", the scene of the notorious Military Riot in 1802 and across from The Tolbooth, Aberdeen's infamous 17th Century prison. Outside this building was the spot where many a soul were publicly hanged and flogged.

15 minutes

Provost Skene's House

Provost Skene House 5 Guestrow, , Aberdeen, AB10 1AS

The oldest building in the city centre which dates back to 1545. It is named after a famous Provost of Aberdeen but more infamously associated Prince William, Duke of Cumberland aka The Butcher of Cumberland. The moniker gained by his brutality during the Jacobite Rebellion.
The building is next to Guestrow, the scene of the famous Anatomy Riots and also the site of Scotland's first ever distillery.

15 minutes

St. Nicholas Churchyard

Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JZ

Fascinating graveyard with many famous local names in the grounds of St Nicholas Church which dates back originally to the 12th century.

30 minutes