Aberdeen - Facilities & Information

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Information

 

Open All Year

Tel: 01224 646 988 

 

Please note that we do not accept stag or hen parties at any of our hostels.

 

Local Attractions

 

Archaeolink
STB 4 Star Visitor Attraction.
Prehistory Park, Oyne, Insch, AB52 6QP
Visit Website

 

Bennachie Forest
Forestry Commission visitor centre
Near Inverurie
Visit Website

 

Brandsbutt Symbol Stone
An early Pictish symbol stone, with an ogham inscription
About 1m NW of Inverurie off the A96
Visit Website

 

Castle Fraser
Part of the National Trust for Scotland, this is the largest and most elaborate of Scottish castles built on the Z plan design, plus walled gardens and parkland
Inverurie AB51 7LD
Visit Website

 

Crathes Castle
One of the most superb castles in Scotland: NTS
Visit Website

 

Drum Castle, Garden & Estate
The oldest intact building in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, Drum Castle was, from 1323 to 1975, the home of the Irvine family
Drumoak, By Banchory AB31 5EY
Visit Website

 

Forvie National Nature Reserve
This huge area of sand dunes and coastal heath lies next to the Ythan Estuary
Twelve miles north of Aberdeen, through Newburgh off the A975 road 
Visit Website

 

Fyvie Castle
Ghosts, legends and folklore are all woven into the tapestry of Fyvie Castle’s 800-year history
Turriff AB53 8JS. National Trust Scotland 
Visit Website

 

Gregory Green's Grotto
Ceramic Painting Studio. Come along to paint and have fun or just enjoy a "fly and a piece" in our studio.  The Bothy, Forresterhill Farm, Oldmeldrum, AB51 0BS
Visit Website

 

Pitmedden Garden
It’s hard to imagine a garden today being planted on such an extravagant scale. The heart of the property is the formal walled garden originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. The garden is under the care of the National Trust for Scotland
Ellon AB41 7PD
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Slains Castle
Spooky ruined castle standing on the cliff edge
Visit Website

 

Storybook Glen
A magical world of make-believe and fun for children of all ages, set amidst 28 acres of spectacular scenic beauty on Royal Deeside.
Maryculter, Aberdeen AB12 5FT 
Visit Website

 

Tolquhon Castle
This  3 Star Castle is part of Historic Scotland. Noted for its highly ornamented gatehouse, Tolquhon is one of the most picturesque of the castles in the Grampian countryside.
24km north of Aberdeen on the A920
Visit Website

 

 

Eating & Drinking

 

Olive Tree
Cuisine - European, Italian
32 Queens Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4YF
01224 208877

 

De Vinci's
Cuisine -Italian
106 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen, AB15 4UP
01224 322847

 

Number 1 Bar Brasserie
Cuisine - Scottish
1 Queens Terrace, Aberdeen, AB10 1XL
01224 611909

 

Jimmy Chung's
Cuisine - Chinese
393 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, AB10 6NY
01224 329329

 

Little Italy UK Ltd
Cuisine - Italian
79 Holburn Street, Aberdeen, AB10 6BR
01224 572240

 

Shahbaaz Tandoori Restaurant
Cuisine - Indian
19 Rose Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TX
01224 641786

 

Chicago Rock Cafe
Cuisine - American
431 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6DA
01224 595232
Visit Website

 

La Tasca
Cuisine - Spanish
349 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BT
01224 212001

 

Filling Station
Cuisine - American
254-254a Union Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1TN
01224 638631

 

Carriages
Brentwood Hotel, 101 Crown Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6HH.
Visit Website

 

The Grill
Famous Aberdeen Pub, established in 1870 with a selection of over 350 whiskies.
213 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BA.
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Old Mill Inn
South Deeside Road, Maryculter, Aberdeen, AB12 5FX.
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City

Aberdeen Art Gallery
STB 3 Star Attraction.
Schoolhill, Aberdeen AB10 1FQ
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Aberdeen Maritime Museum
STB 5 Star Attraction.
Shiprow, Aberdeen AB11 5BY.
Visit Website

 

Aberdeen Quest
An overview of all of the museums the city has to offer. Take a journey through the museum collections and see what wonders you can find!
Visit Website

 

Blairs Catholic Museum
The history of Catholicism in Scotland.
South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen AB12 5YQ.
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Gordon Highlanders Museum
A glimpse into life in the Regiment and in Aberdeenshire.
St Lukes, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen AB15 7XH.
Visit Website

 

The Mall Shopping Centre
Situated in the heart of the city. 
Visit Website

 

Provost Skene's House
STB 3 Star Attraction. 16th century town with an attractive series of period room settings.
Guestrow, Aberdeen AB10 1AS. 
Visit Website

 

Satrosphere Science Centre
The Tramsheds, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen AB24 5TU. 
Visit Website

 

St Machar’s Cathedral Transepts
The nave and towers of the Cathedral remain in use as a church, and the ruined transepts are in care. In the south transept is the fine tomb of Bishop Dunbar, 1532. The Cathedral is in the care of Historic Scotland.
In Old Aberdeen. 
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The Tolbooth Museum
One of the oldest buildings in Aberdeen.
Castle Street, Aberdeen. 
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Groups

Cadonas Amusement Park

Home to a wide range of rides and attractions including 3 roller coasters and a white water log fume. The Big Wheel offers fantastic panoramic views of Aberdeen.

 Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen, AB24 5NS

Tel: 01224 595910

Visit Website

 

MacDuff Marine Aquarium

Features marine life from the Moray Firth in a variety of exciting and innovative exhibits. The aquarium’s central exhibit, which displays a living kelp reef, is the only one of its kind in Britain.

11 High Shore, Macduff, AB44 1SL

Tel: 01261 833 369

Visit Website

 

Sunset Boulevard Bowling

The ultimate indoor entertainment centre with something for everybody including 26-lane bowling, Ceasers Emporium for gaming machines and  the ever-popular Super Dodgems Rambos Adventureland.

 Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen, AB24 5NS

Tel: 01224 595910

Visit Website

Walking

Moderate walks

 

Cruden Bay and Bullers of Buchan
A moderate walk through Cruden Bay curving along the top of cliffs to Slains Castle.
Distance: 8km/5miles Duration: 2 1/2 hours Height Gain: 60 metres/198 feet
View Route

 

River Don, Beach and Old Aberdeen
Enjoy an intriguing walk around Scotland's third city and its beach.
Distance: 10.5km/6.5 miles Duration: 1½ hours Height Gain: 30 metres/99 feet
View Route

 

Elrick Hill, Aberdeenshire
Enjoy a circular walk with a splash of colour and sculpture en route.
Distance: 7km/4.4miles Duration: 2 hours Height Gain: 50 metres/165 feet
View Route

 

Dunnottar Woods and Castle
Starting in the centre of Stonehaven, this circular walk leads to Dunnottar Castle.
Distance: 7km/4.4miles Duration: 2 1/2 hours Height Gain: 70 metres/231 feet
View Route

 

Ferryhill and the Bridge of Dee
From the heart of Aberdeen's centre to what was once the city's southern boundary.
Distance: 6km/3.75miles Duration: 2 hours
View Route

 

Banchory - Scolty Hill - Banchory
A popular walk for both locals & tourists alike, from Banchory to the top of Scolty Hill.
Distance: 6.44km/4.03miles Duration: 2 hours Height Gain: 250 metres/825 feet
View Route


Longer Walks

 

Aberdeen to Peterculter
A linear walk along the route of the old Deeside railway line.
Distance: 11km/6.9miles Duration: 2 1/2 hours Height Gain: 10 metres/33 feet
View Route

 

Footdee - Seaton Park - Old Aberdeen - Footdee
A town walk combining beach, riverbank, parkland and historic buildings.
Distance: 15.5km/9.7miles Duration: 2 hours Height Gain: 10 metres/33 feet
View Route

 

Aberdeen - Cults - River Dee Walk
This is a peaceful riverside walk along the banks of the River Dee in Aberdeen.
Distance: 10.5km/6.6miles Duration: 2 1/4 hours Height Gain: 10 metres/33 feet
View Route

 

Banchory - Crathes Castle - Banchory
A gentle walk along a former railway line.
Distance: 15km/9.4miles Duration: 4 hours Height Gain: 40 metres/132 feet
View Route


Long Distance Routes

 

The Formartine and Buchan Way
This Way runs north from Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh along an old railway.
Distance: 86km/53 miles Duration: 5 days Height Gain: 200 metres/660 feet
View Route

 

Disclaimer: All walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like to acknowledge the British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions".

 

Active & Adventure

Deeside Activity Park

  • Clay shooting
  • Kart racing
  • Off road driving
  • Quad biking
  • Archery
  • Rock climbing
  • Orienteering
  • Mountain biking

Deeside Activity Park, Dess, Aboyne, Royal Deeside, AB34 5BD
Visit Website

 

Mountain Bound

  • Rock climbing
  • Scrambling
  • Winter Skills
  • Telemark Skiing

1 Old Stables Courtyard, Bridge Square, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5PL
Visit Website


Mountain biking

 

Kirkhill
View Route

 

Pitfichie
View Route


 

Wildlife

Woodland Birds, red squirrel, roe deer, buzzard, bats, dragonfly, amphibians, eider duck, geese, guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake, fulmar, herring gull, puffin, shag, waders.
 
Forvie National Nature Reserve
This huge area of sand dunes and coastal heath lies next to the Ythan Estuary
Twelve miles north of Aberdeen, off A975 
Visit Website

 

Bennachie
short walks, full day mountain experiences and wildlife spotting
Visit Website

 

Blackhall Forest
Waymarked walks circling the heart of the forest. Terrific views, peace and tranquillity to watch the wildlife. 
Visit Website

 

Fowlsheugh
Dramatic cliffs packed with breeding seabirds in the spring and summer
3 miles south of Stonehaven, Aberdenshire

 


Staff Recommendations

Volunteer, Aberdeen

 

"The Maritime Museum and Duthie Park Winter Gardens are the must sees of Aberdeen!"

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