Episode 94: ‘Anything But Grey’ – Aberdeen in Winter (November)
Join my for a wintery urban adventure in Scotland’s third-largest city: Aberdeen.
‘Anything But Grey’ is part of the series A Year in Scotland. This is the November episode.
In this story we head to the northeast coast and explore Scotland’s third-largest city Aberdeen. Our urban adventure begins on the waterfront, with a walk around Footdee and a sauna session by the sea. Next, our journey takes us into the beating heart of the city and to the twinkling lights of the season. Finally, we travel back in time to Old Aberdeen and discover the far end of the sandy beach framing the city.
After the story, I share with you my top tips for a trip to Aberdeen.
Disclaimer: All information provided in this podcast is based on personal travel experiences. Companies mentioned in the story or tips were active at the time of release. If you listen to episodes at a later point, note that this information may have changed in the meantime.
Resources
Use my Aberdeen City Guide to plan your trip
Book a session at Sea Biscuit Sauna in Aberdeen
Find other wild saunas across Scotland on the Scottish Sauna Map
My pal Susanne wrote a great article about Footdee on her blog, and you’ll find lots of pictures of this quirky village on the Northlink Ferries website
Find out more about Aberdeen’s Beach and its redevelopment project
Read more about Aberdeen’s Christmas Market – especially Curated in the Square at Marischal College
Here is more about the Brig o’ Balgownie and the Donmouth Nature Reserve
5 Travel Tips for Aberdeen
1) Visit on public transport
Aberdeen is well connected by train from all other major cities in Scotland, and there is an extensive local bus network which makes it easy to get around without a car. You can even do day trips to places along the coast or further inland in the Royal Deeside by train and bus. The city centre is very walkable, so I recommend staying there and branching out to Old Aberdeen and the beach by bus or on foot.
2) Discover Aberdeen’s street art
Fittie isn’t the only place that brings colour into the granite city. Since 2017, Nuart street art festival brings artists from around the world to the east coast to paint and spray on Aberdeen’s walls. The city has become their canvas and you can now see well over 50 murals across town. Two of my favourite pieces are Bordalo II’s haptic Unicorn on Union Row and Hera’s Keeper of Magic which adorns a tall building by the harbour. Here’s a map of all the murals.
3) Try the food at Foodstory
Nothing beats a cosy cafe on a cold winter’s day. If the weather doesn’t allow for a stroll along Aberdeen’s beach and a takeaway from Foodstory’s food truck, head to the city centre and treat yourself to a cosy afternoon at Foodstory Cafe.
Their menu is primarily plant-based and they source most of their ingredients from local producers. There’s often music, and community events make for a warm and welcoming environment.
4) Do a pub crawl in the city centre
Okay, there may be something better than a cosy cafe on a cold winter’s day – and that’s a cosy pub. Aberdeen has no shortage of traditional pubs and atmospheric bars. Some of my favourites are Ma Cameron’s near Belmont Street, Old Blackfriars near Marischal College and Soul which serves food and drinks inside a converted church on Union Street.
5) Treat yourself at Maryculter House
Maryculter House lies on the outskirts of the city and is one of Aberdeenshire’s most historic. People have found refuge here since the 13th century and the atmospheric Great Hall dates back to 1460. You can stay here, or simply enjoy a meal. We had their festive afternoon tea followed by a wee tour through the hotel’s historic halls.
