Location: Aberdeen
Top Things to do in Aberdeen
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The 10 Best Tours in Aberdeen, Scotland
Experience the richness of Aberdeen’s proud history and culture — from the sound of residents’ traditional Doric accent to the sights of glittering granite buildings lining the city’s streets. Explore the cobbled roads and historic university buildings of Old Aberdeen, then take a stroll along the nearby sandy beach and watch for dolphins in the busy harbour. Afterward, find your way to the quaint fishing quarter of Footdee, and lose yourself among its tiny cottages and colourful gardens.
Restaurants in Aberdeen
1. Aberdeen & Shire Castle & Distillery Private Group one Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
This is a private tour for your group only. Aberdeenshire has many treasures to offer and we will take you on a private tour to areas that are as stunning as they are interesting, chosen from the tour details section below. A suggested itinerary could be: • Old Aberdeen - See fascinating medieval history • Dunnottar Castle - one of the worlds most iconic castles, • Crathes Castle - a 16th century castle on Deeside with amazing gardens • Royal Lochnagar Distillery - the famous malt from the grounds of Balmoral Castle You can choose your own itinerary. Time Exposure Travel are members of ABTOT (No.5419) which provides protection for customers’ prepayments. Pick up and drop off is from your Hotel, Airport, Train Station or Cruise Ship
Inclusions: All tours tailored to suit your exact requirements or locations chosen from Tour Details, Lunch is optional and location will depend on tour., Route and timings will depend on starting point and your choice of attractions.., Pick up from with Aberdeenshire
Exclusions: No drinks are included in the cost., Lunch not included in cost, Gratuities, Castle interior / guided tours not included, Distillery Tour costs not included
Reviewed By 776ashleighg
Pub trivia knowledge and it's about a cat that did her job so well records still holds! she receives letters every single gear even though she's been gone since the late 80s and every Hillary has adopted or taking care of cuz either been placed with old from family of people that work at The distillery or they've needed homes through the rspca there has not been a bread cat that works there and yes I would consider couser working at a distillery.
2. Speyside Whisky Experience by Whisky Trails: Three Speyside Distilleries
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Whether you are a whisky aficionado or a complete novice, this Whisky Trail has something for everyone. You will be picked up from where you are staying and transported in comfort, safety, and style to Speyside. This is a private tour and only your group will participate. If you book between April and October you will visit the big three Speyside distilleries, namely The Macallan, Glenlivet, and Glenfiddich. The agenda is flexible so depending on whether you have chosen to book a tour at one of the distilleries, we will agree the timing for your day before setting off together. At the end of the Whisky Trail, we will head back to your starting point or another location by prior arrangement. Travel time from central Scotland is 3.5 hours in each direction, whereas Inverness lies around 1.5 hours drive away from the Speyside area. PLEASE NOTE: due to COVID19 restrictions, Distilleries may open and close at short notice, and may also only offer limited tour and tasting options.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Snacks, Bottled water
Exclusions: Gratuities, Distillery Tour and Tasting fees, Lunch
Reviewed By Amy K
My cousin booked a private tour for three of us and it was fantastic! The vehicle was clean & comfortable, Brett provided a lot of information during the drive between each distillery and he was very knowledgeable when it came to the scotch whiskey. Brett is familiar with the employees at each distillery so you receive prompt service. I would book a tour with Brett when/if I’m back in Scotland.
3. Crime and Punishment: Explore Aberdeen's darker history on a walking audio tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
From bodysnatching and beheadings to witchcraft and whippings, we share real life stories of crime and punishment from the last 500 years on this self-guided GPS audio tour. Along the way you’ll see major Aberdeen landmarks, from Marischal College to the Mercat Cross, and learn how they were witness to darkest chapters in the city’s history. Scot Free Tours sheds a light on the baffling and often unjust laws of the last five centuries – and reveals that past is not as far away as we think. Thousands of people have loved our 5-star rated live tours and now you can experience them with freedom of an audio guide! The tour plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. Start the tour in the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let us guide you around Aberdeen. The total walking distance is 3km and takes about 45 minutes without stopping, but you can pause anytime!
Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap app for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Exclusions: Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food and drink, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Reviewed By nickjtravels
A very informative tour of Aberdeen that we did on our brief stop in Aberdeen earlier this year. When we return we will be doing one of the other tours on VoiceMap. Altogether a great experience that is perfect in a COVID-19 world as you go around by yourselves and will still work well when this pandemic is well behind us. We were so pleased with this tour we did another one in Liverpool on the same trip and this was of the same quality. Just make sure you have plenty of charge on your phone!
4. Inverness & Highlands Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
A beautiful tour of the Highlands, explore the city of Inverness and enjoy Scottish hospitality on the banks of Loch Ness. With visits to Cawdor Castle and a stop at Culloden Moor Battlefield you will experience a bit of Scottish Heritage along the way.
Inclusions: WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch, Entry to attractions.
Reviewed By Alaskatraveller99
I loved that Jacqueline still has this tour although I was the only booking for the day- I had the whole van and her to myself! We did a whisky distillery (I paid for entry and took excellent tour/tasting here), an ancient castle tour - Jacqueline was my tour guide here with great ability to take you back in time and architecture, a great pub lunch on your own and a more “modern “ ancient castle tour that I paid for guided. A bonus on the way home was a stop to see a stone circle! I was offered fresh local items to taste in the van between stops while we were on the road- it really is a taste of Scotland! I highly recommend this trip!
5. Family Bike Rides - Bike Hire & Guide for Off-road Cycling
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
This tour introduces you to mountain biking and the Aberdeenshire landscape. We set-up a full suspension mountain bike for you and teach you some simple techniques so you can go anywhere off road. We ride the off-road trails around the estate learn about its history, the landscape and the fauna and flora. You will ride past the mansion house, through the northwest gate, and on up to the stone-age hill fort.
Inclusions: Macdui Bike Adventures provides modern, high specification mountain bikes. They have full suspension, low gear ratios and off-road tyres. We provide helmets and gloves.
Exclusions: Please make sure you are prepare for the weather, we do not provide warm clothing or sun scream., Please bring your own snacks - a cereal bar and water will be perfect.
6. Skip the Line: The Gordon Highlanders Museum Admission Ticket
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 19 reviews
The Gordon Highlanders Museum is a 5-star Visit Scotland attraction and tells the compelling and dramatic 200 year story of the Gordon Highlanders from the Napoleonic Wars to the modern day, using spectacular displays, film and the passion and knowledge of our guides. Following in the footsteps of serving soldiers, the museum takes you on an eye-opening journey through the history of “the Finest Regiment in the World“ (Sir Winston Churchill, 1900), with a story spanning 200 years of world history which includes 19 Victoria Crosses with 11 on display! With a fabulous Tea Room serving cakes, sandwiches, panini's, hot and cold drinks as well as a fully stocked Gift shop and FREE parking on site, a day out at the award-winning Gordon Highlanders Museum is a must when in the North East of Scotland.
Inclusions: Free parking on site, Ticket Gordon Highlanders Museum
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By JimboG1975
Where to start.... This museum was absolutely brilliant. I did not have high hopes for it as my experience of similar museums has been a let down. I could not have been any more wrong that that. We went here because my daughter is learning world war one and I thought it would be good for her learning. Our tour guide whom I cannot remember the name of (sorry I am not good with names) was brilliant. A wealth of knowledge and shared some wonderful stories with us on our visit. I have a 6 year old and a 9 year old (girls) who you would think they would get bored. They were not bored at all. My favourite section would be the armoury. Seeing some of the old guns brought back fond memories of my days as an army cadet. Our tour guide and I shared our thoughts on the old Bren Gun and the SA 80 rifle. Out doors you will find a trench that they have made to give you an idea of what it was like in trench warfare. A real hidden gem. I really cannot recommend it enough. Covid restricted your freedom to walk round the exhibits and you were on a time slot but it did not impact how I felt about this place. Absolutely brilliant and I will go back once Covid over just so I can spend more time looking around and reading things. Amazing place!!!! Last note... Ask your guide about the Japanese flag you will see when you go round it.
7. Speyside Whisky Trail Small-Group Day Tour from Aberdeen
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 13 reviews
Whether you're a whisky lover or a whisky learner, you're bound to get a taste for it in the beautiful region of Speyside. Home to around 50% of all Scottish whisky distilleries, there's almost too much to see and drink. So on this tour, we help you get the most out of the region by taking you to two distinct distilleries. It’s a chance to learn about the incredible history, process, and flavours of Scotland’s national drink.
Inclusions: Professional driver/guide, Modern, air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach, Small Group Tour (16 people max)
Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop off, Food and drinks, unless specified, Admission fees
Reviewed By Relax167982
We had a fabulous time exploring Highlands. Alice, our driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. She took the local roads in the way to Inverness, and shared with us history of Scotland, and we truly enjoyed it. Boat trip was arranged in advance, so everything went smoothly. Highly recommended!
8. Taste of Scotland Tour
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 6 reviews
For those who only have one day to visit Aberdeen, this tour gives you an insight into what the region has to offer in a 7 hour tour. With both a visit to Castles and Distillery Tour, this excursion will give you a taste of the Grampian and our local food giving you every excuse to come back again! On Thursday's we will substitute Pitmedden Gardens for Tolquhon, as the castle it no longer open on this day. As both are close together we can view the castle from the outside.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Food tasting, WiFi on board
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities, Entrance & Tour fees
Reviewed By camillahC6924HG
Went on this tour with a group of friends and would highly recommend it. We were the only ones to have booked the tour this day, but it went on ahead anyways. Our tour guide Jacqueline was very sweet and knew about a lot of Scottish history and fun facts. The tour is great if you want to see a lot of different places in Northern Scotland which are difficult to get to without a vehicle. Really enjoyable and a great way to spend a day sightseeing in Scotland. Would definitely do it again.
9. Speyside Delight - Scottish Whisky Tour - Private Full Day
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 6 reviews
****** Private Tour ***** Visit three unique three Speyside distilleries in one day. Bespoke pickup! The best and most extensive Speyside day trip available! A unique experience that gives you best Scotland has to offer , all in one day, allowing you time to enjoy other activities on other days. Bookings subject to availability. Please book early to secure your place. Please contact for bookings between November 1st and January 10th. We may have to substitute in other distilleries based on opening hours.
Inclusions: Expert led whisky tasting session at each distillery, Bottled water
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 21pagon
This tour has 3 different and unique distilleries. Macallan was a must see for us and when you add Glenfiddich and Glenlivet it was a win. Each one was different enough to make the day interesting, fun and educational. I would not miss Glenlivet or Macallan. Ewan was a fantastic host, kept us on time, knowledgeable on the distilleries, shared his Scotland with us and pointed out “sight-seeing” opportunities as we drove through the Highlands. Prepare for a long day, but worth the investment if learning and experiencing the Scotch making process and history is important to you. The Highlands scenery was a bonus-beautiful country!
10. Loch Ness and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Aberdeen
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 35 reviews
The battles, beauty, and whisky: This is your perfect introduction to Scotland. You shed a tear as you hear the tales and tragedies of Scotland’s Jacobite Rising at the Culloden Battlefield. You try to take your best photo as you pass by Scotland’s famous mountains and castles. And you lick your lips as you drink in the spirit of Scottish whisky in Dufftown, ‘the Whisky Capital of the World’. What’s more, you get as close as possible to the legendary Loch Ness Monster on an optional boat trip. So, take this trip and enjoy the best of Scotland in a day.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned mini-coach, Small Group Tour (16 people max)
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Admission fees
Reviewed By EdKealey
The tour was good! The bus was a lot nicer than expected and Alice and Neil were great! And it was a easy way to see around Aberdeen. Plus we got to see a Picasso painting which is always nice
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