aberdeen city centre free walking tour

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Free walks and trails in Aberdeen

We have produced a series of free trail guides to help you explore the beautiful and historic city of Aberdeen. Follow the maps to discover historical and natural gems around the city and you can also cycle on many of the trails. 

You can read more about each trail and download the maps below.

Best of Aberdeen trail

Follow this trail to explore highlights, secrets, and hidden gems of the city.

Union Terrace Gardens

Find out the highlights and secrets in this fairly compact trail around the beautiful Union Terrace Gardens in the heart of the city centre.

  Duthie Park trail

Duthie Park is one of the jewels in the crown of the city with popular year-round attractions for people of all ages - discover its features and history.

Hazlehead Park trail

Hazlehead Park is one of the oldest and most historical properties in Aberdeen as it was originally part of the Freedom Lands which were gifted to the city by King Robert the Bruce. It became a country estate before being bought back by the city as a public park, and now has many attractions.

Seaton Park trail

This popular park nestles between Old Aberdeen and the River Don and is a mixture of formal gardens, play areas (including an old railway engine), and wildlife. 

Cinemas Old and New

This city centre trail features cinemas past and present, plus a few surprises.

Aberdeen History trail

Follow this trail to discover the city through its historical times.

Aberdeen Jacobite trail

Aberdeen played a part in the history of the Jacobites in Scotland, before and after the Battle of Culloden.

Bloody Aberdeen trail

Discover the darker history of the city in the Bloody Aberdeen trail.

  Aberdeen coastal trail

Follow this trail to explore Aberdeen's enduring relationship with the sea. Includes more than 20 new entries and highlighting Cove Bay 

People and places trail

Explore the plaques put up to commemorate the people and places which have shaped the city.

Sculpture and curios trail

Aberdeen has a diverse range of public sculptures, from traditional to contemporary.

Boundary stones trail

Aberdeen's historic boundary is marked by a series of stones and you can still follow their path.

Aberdeen granite trail

Follow this trail to find out more about the heritage of the Granite City.

The Scottish Samurai trail

Discover the story of Thomas Blake Glover, who was instrumental in setting up the Mitsubishi company in Japan and was known as the Scottish Samurai.

Maritime heritage trail

This trail around the harbour area explore Aberdeen's maritime connections and history, from fishing to oil & gas.

Communities

Aberdeen the green trail.

Follow this trail to explore the heritage of The Green area in the city centre, filled with history.

Bridge of Don trail

This community started as a small settlement at what was once the River Don’s sole fixed crossing point, became country estates, and is now the city's largest suburb. There are plenty of artefacts and buildings around showing the history of this area.

Donside Heritage trail

Follow this trail to explore the nature and history of the lower don.

Rosemount Local Area trail

Follow this trail to explore Aberdeen's Rosemount.

Old Aberdeen trail

Follow this trail to explore the hidden gems of historic old Aberdeen.

  Woodside Trails 

Historic areas which in 1891 joined Old and New Aberdeen to form today's city 

Lower Deeside Trail 

Follow the old roads, railway and river through the villages of Aberdeen's Royal Deeside 

Aberdeen Denburn Trail 

Explore the course of the small stream that shaped a city 

Torry Trail 

Find out about the history and varied landscape of this historic part of Aberdeen

Brimmond hill

Leisurely hillwalking within the city boundaries

Kingswells and the Four Hills 

Leisurely hillwalking within the city boundaries 

Kincorth and Tullos Hills 

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Marischal College Aberdeen AB10 1AB

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SCOT FREE TOURS (Aberdeen) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Aberdeen City Centre Free Walking Tour

Explore the city centre on a free walking tour from TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winner 2022 Scot Free Tours.

Select date and time

• Saturday April 27 2:00 PM
• Saturday May 4 2:00 PM
• Sunday May 5 11:00 AM
• Saturday May 11 2:00 PM
• Saturday May 18 2:00 PM
• More options

Mercat Cross

About this event

Sure, we all know about the oil and the granite and the weather. But there is more to this city than that. There are stories that you will never have heard. Stories about death, pirates, wizards, infra-red telescopes, and Lord Byron. And more death.

SFT’s flagship history tour takes in the Castlegate, Marischal College, Provost Skene's House, Union Terrace Gardens and St Nicholas Kirk. You will see the highlights of Aberdeen city centre, while you find out about Aberdeen's social history, its quirky inhabitants and how it got to where it is today.

Scot Free Tours is the top-ranked tour provider in Aberdeen, collecting TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence in 2018 and 2019 and Travellers’ Choice Awards in 2021 and 2022, with more than three hundred five-star reviews.

The tour lasts between one and a half to two hours and a half hours and starts at the Mercat Cross in the Castlegate. Tours are funded entirely by donations.

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• Things to do in Aberdeen
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Aberdeen City Centre Tour

Discover Aberdeen every day at 2pm with a local guide. This 1.5-hour tour with an expert, local guide will immerse you in the key sights of Aberdeen. Private tours are also available.

Discover Aberdeen through a local's eyes, discovering local history and culture on this 1.5 hour walking tour with your guide every day at 2pm.

Discover Aberdeen's rich history from being a small fishing settlement to the centre of oil for Europe. Make your way through some of the oldest streets, explore tunnels and retrace the steps of some of Aberdeen's most important figures in our (sometimes very dark) history.

You'll also discover the amazing street art that has overtaken Aberdeen and has become a huge part of the culture. From unassuming corners to major buildings, there’s art around every turn and your guide knows just where to find the best of the best.

Key sights:

• Marischal College
• St Nicholas' Kirk
• Netherkirkgate
• Tunnels and Witch Trials
• Amazing Aberdeen Street Art
• And other hidden gems!

Book Online: https://www.walkingtoursin.com/aberdeentours

Get in Touch: [email protected]

From £12 per adult

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

May — October

Contact details

• +44 (0141) 4740746
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Large Group (31+)
• Medium Group (17-30)
• Small Group (1-16)
• Outdoor Activities
• Photography

Tour prices

From £12 Per Adult

Prices are subject to change depending on season

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Tour company information

Walking tours in scotland.

Operating locally-guided, fun, city walking tours in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, St Andrews, Inverness, South Queensferry, Oban & Aberdeen. Discover Scotland through a local's eyes on a unique walking tour. From town centres to street art and dark history, there's something for everyone! Public tours are available every day, and private tours upon request.

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Visit Walking Tours in Scotland

Opening times

Tours running every day! Check out the website for each city's availability.

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Free walking tour of aberdeen city centre.

Mercat Cross Castlegate Aberdeen AB11 5HP

Interested in learning more about Aberdeen? In this tour you will see the highlights of Aberdeen city centre, while you find out about Aberdeen's social history, its quirky inhabitants and how it got to where it is today. Sure, we all know about the oil and the granite and the weather. But there is more to this city than that. There are stories that you will never have heard. Stories about death, pirates, wizards, infra-red telescopes, and Lord Byron. And more death.

© 2024 Event information from Data Thistle .

The information included in the What's On Data has been supplied to VisitAberdeenshire by Data Thistle and is subject to changes. Readers are advised to check with the venue or event organiser before relying in any way on the details published here. VisitAberdeenshire and Data Thistle are unable to accept responsibility for any loss or liability arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in these listings.

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• ABERDEEN'S MOST POPULAR!

ABERDEEN CITY CENTRE TOUR

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
• Clock Start Time: 2pm

Info Ages under 12 go free

DISCOVER ABERDEEN’S ICONIC SIGHTS WITH A LOCAL, EXPERT GUIDE!

Discover Aberdeen through a local’s eyes, discovering local history and culture on this 1.5 hour walking tour with your guide every day at 2pm.

Discover Aberdeen’s rich history from being a small fishing settlement to the centre of oil for Europe. Make your way through some of the oldest streets, explore tunnels and retrace the steps of some of Aberdeen’s most important figures in our (sometimes very dark) history.

You’ll also discover the amazing street art that has overtaken Aberdeen and has become a huge part of the culture. From unassuming corners to major buildings, there’s art around every turn and your guide knows just where to find the best of the best.

Key sights:

• Marischal College
• St Nicholas’ Kirk
• Netherkirkgate
• Tunnels and Witch Trials
• Amazing Aberdeen Street Art And other hidden gems!

Dates and times: Every day at 2pm

Meeting point: Outside Visit Scotland iCentre Aberdeen

Related Activities

• Clock Any date & time!
• Hour Glass 1 Hour 30 Minutes

PRIVATE ABERDEEN CITY TOUR

Take Aberdeen at your own pace with your very own private tour. Discover our rich history with your local guide.

PRIVATE ABERDEEN STREET ART WALKING TOUR

Discover Aberdeen’s short history with street art and how it is transforming the city. See all the key pieces and learn about the artists as you go.