Top Things to do in Aberdeenshire
Top Hotels in Aberdeenshire
- 1. Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport, an IHG Hotel
- 2. Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel
- 3. Premier Inn Aberdeen City Centre hotel
- 4. Malmaison Aberdeen
- 5. Travelodge Aberdeen Central
- 6. Ibis Aberdeen Centre
- 7. Bogenraith House
- 8. Jurys Inn Aberdeen
- 9. Premier Inn Aberdeen Airport (Dyce) hotel
- 10. Atholl Hotel
What to do and see in Aberdeenshire, Scotland: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Discover the best top things to do in Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom including Glen Garioch Distillery, Peterhead Prison Museum, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Craigievar Castle, Duthie Park Winter Gardens, The Gordon Highlanders Museum, Grampian Transport Museum, The Tolbooth Museum, Drum Castle, Garden & Estate.
Restaurants in Aberdeenshire
1. Glen Garioch Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By AEMSpain - Vejer de la Frontera, Spain
My father and I enjoyed the most fantastic visit with Glen Garioch on their new Founders Tour. It covered history, fine whisky, beautiful views and gourmet food. We were taken to several unique viewpoints, in the Glen Garioch mini bus, to learn about the landscape and special aspects of Oldmeldrum and the founders of GG which contribute to making Glen Garioch so unique. At each stop we enjoyed a nip of something special along side a tasty gourmet delight of the area. The tour included a delicious tasting lunch at Meldrum House Hotel of dishes prepared using Glen Garioch and accompanied by the same. This tour is a true example of how you learn about the history and culture of an area through it's food and drink. I will happily repeat this tour one day. Highly recommended.
2. Peterhead Prison Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 688 reviews
Step back in time and visit "Scotland's Toughest Jail". Opening in 1888 it closed in December 2013 and little changed within that period. Known as "Scotland's Alcatraz" you will walk through the halls, cells, former kitchen, shower block, booking in area, courtroom, segregation block, infamous silent cell and hospital complex and much more. This 6 acre site was Scotland's only true "Convict Prison" [to be sent here meant you had been sentenced to "penal servitude"] it was the home of the first state owned passenger carrying railway in Britain and in 1987 was the scene of the only time the Special Air Service [SAS] was used to end a domestic siege after an officer was held hostage on the roof for 4 days, ending in the early hours of the 5th morning with a daring raid. Hear former officers tell their stories at key points on the route in our award winning audio sets and enjoy the experience within our 5* multi award winning complex.
Reviewed By bazboy111 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Visited 23rd November , parking easy , entrance and guided headphones all fantastic , really informative tour and you can do it at your own pace , after you finish nice wee cafe to get lunch in as well , def recommend a visit to this one.
3. Aberdeen Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Temporary Closed
Reviewed By WanderingNomad999 - Brisbane, Australia
We went to the gallery on a rainy day at the end of October. We should have booked a 2hr time slot online in advance but fortunately we were able to sign up with our details (for track and trace) on the door as it wasn’t too busy. We enjoyed the exhibits and especially the BP portrait tour on the top level. Scones with cream and jam and tea in the cafe went down a treat too.
4. Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,824 reviews
Aberdeen has long prospered off of sea-based industries, from the boom of the city's fishing industry in the early 20th century to its oil industry today; this museum explores the historic developments behind the city's maritime industries.
Reviewed By Lummox60N - Lerwick, United Kingdom
This museum is, perhaps, an undersold heritage gem. It covers every aspect of Aberdeen's maritime heritage, exploring the city's history and development both as a city and harbour, and offers a deeper insight into the oil industry modern Aberdeen is so dependent on. Well worth a visit, and there's a cafe in there too.
5. Craigievar Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
17th-century castle owned by the same family for over 350 years. Open April to September; access is by guided tours only. There are steep spiral stairs to the upper floors. A stunning castle in a wonderful setting, said to be the inspiration for Disney's castles.
Reviewed By 604colins - Derby, United Kingdom
A lovely old tower house converted to a fairly modern house. comfortable for the owners but with stairs linking the rooms. you can only visit with a guided tour and i think you need more time to take it all in and see everything properly. however it still worth a visit just to see how such tall narrow house were used and what the owners managed to do with them.
6. Duthie Park Winter Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,035 reviews
Reviewed By 153davym - Falkirk District, United Kingdom
Decided to visit the Glass Houses here at Duthie Park. Amazing with beautiful displays indoors and a great show of colour with a Tropical glass house and Cactus house. Easy to get to however parking may be an issue as this place is very popular. Great coffee shops too, to enjoy after your visit and chill out.
7. The Gordon Highlanders Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 708 reviews
UPDATE 18.03.2020 Coronavirus (Covid-19) In light of the ever-evolving Covid-19 situation, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close The Gordon Highlanders Museum and Duchess Jean Tea Room to the public from 4.30 today until further notice. We will review this decision on a weekly basis and post any updates on this page and to our social media channels. Thank you for your understanding in this confusing and uncertain time; we hope to welcome visitors back to the Museum soon. The Finest Regiment in the World" was how Sir Winston Churchill described The Gordon Highlanders in 1900. So why not come and see why? A wonderful day out and a fantastic welcome await you at The Gordon Highlanders Museum where we are committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of this world-famous Regiment.
Reviewed By 561ruthd - Doha, Qatar
We went on a school trip to the museum. One of the really interesting things we saw was the Silver Room and our guide told us lots of interesting information. One of our favourite bits was the Armoury; we really enjoyed seeing the guns and swords because normally we only see them in video games, not real life. The activities about WW1 were really cool - in the trench we got to spot enemy soldiers with a periscope. We learnt a lot about what life for soldiers was like in WW1 and we're not sure if we'd have managed to do it! Our guides Jim and Lewis were really helpful and very informative, they answered all our questions. Definitely a trip we'd recommend (but not for very young children, it might be a bit boring) and we'd love to go back.
8. Grampian Transport Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
Located in the vibrant village of Alford, just 45 minutes from Aberdeen, the museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots, of the 1800's, to some of the fastest cars ever made. Every season the museum refreshes around one-third of its exhibits –this year's exhibition includes 'The Guy Martin Collection' and 'It's Electric' which gives an in-depth look at the past, present and future of electric vehicles. A few old favourites remain, including our MACK Snowplough, Billy Connolly's Boom Lowrider motortrike and one of our Curator's favourites, the ex-Grampian Police Rover SD1 Vitesse. Our Tea Room serves an array of hot drinks, light lunches and snacks. At the present time, we have in place comprehensive COVID 19 safety measures to keep our visitors as safe as possible. A clear signage system explains how it all works. To prevent overcrowding, we have moved to online bookings accessed through our website.
Reviewed By 74hamishf - Alford, United Kingdom
Every year we buy an annual style membership. Great visit always and ideal for all ages. Specific quizzes and competitions keeps even the smallest visitors running around and enjoying the museu, Great wee cafe inside and outside play park for the younger visitors.
9. The Tolbooth Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
Reviewed By countrygal301 - Ottawa, Canada
A fun and informative museum. Lots of interesting information in a free venue. A word lots of climbing up and down cramped staircases.
10. Drum Castle, Garden & Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 418 reviews
Reviewed By JasonD476 - Muncie, United States
This was our first stop in our Tour of Scotland. The guide was really great and really made the castle come to life. The castle itself was fascinating with many great portraits and interesting architecture. Really set the tone for our visit to Scotland.
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