Old Aberdeen
From Old Aberdeen to the golden sands of Aberdeen beach
Google Maps Open Source Maps| Statistics and Files | ||
|---|---|---|
| Start: University Road | Distance: 4.5 miles (7.3 km) | Climbing: 82 metres |
| Grid Ref: NJ 93952 08048 | Time: 2 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File | About Aberdeen |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Start: University Road | Distance: 4.5 miles (7.3 km) |
| Climbing: 82 metres | Grid Ref: NJ 93952 08048 |
| Time: 2 hours | Rating: Easy |
| GPX Route File | Google Earth File |
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map (1:25,000)
The Walk:
This walk leads you through Aberdeen's history. It starts and finishes within the campus of Aberdeen University, in the area known as Old Aberdeen, which has narrow cobbled streets, ancient churches, St Machar's Cathedral, narrow alleys and a quiet and peaceful atmosphere of scholarly life.
The city of Aberdeen is, thanks to the exploration of the North Sea oil fields, a prosperous place. Its position in the extreme north-east of Scotland has meant that it was a centre for North Sea fishing in the past, but the new ocean resource of oil has tempted many away from this traditional industry. Nowadays, the harbour which once resounded to the cry of 'fisher wifies' as they gutted the herring, is full of oil industry vessels. But not all is new. Old Aberdeen still attracts tourists from around the world and the city still boasts some of the finest granite structures in the world.
King's College, Aberdeen
Seaton Park Gardens
The university was founded in 1494-5 by Bishop William Elphinstone, who founded it within King's College. The college has an open lantern in the form of an imperial crown surmounting the tower. The chapel is a fine example of the style called Scottish Flamboyant Gothic. Opposite the college stands the oriental style gateway to Powis House.
Close by King's College is the ancient St Machar's Cathedral. The present building stands on the site of an even more ancient holy structure, said to have been erected by St Machar himself.
Marischal College is an impressive piece of granite architecture with a magnificent pinnacled facade. Near it is Provost Skene's House, which was built in 1545, but bears the name of Provost Skene who lived there in the 17th century. This turreted building is now a museum with several rooms beautifully furnished in Georgian, Regency and Victorian styles.
At Schoolhill stands Kirk of St Nicholas, at one time the largest parish church in Scotland. Behind the defiant statue of Sir William Wallace stands Her Majesty;s Theatre. Union Terrace runs beside landscaped gardens and leads to Aberdeen's main thoroughfare, Union Street, with a 19th century music hall, the magnificent cathedral and St John's Church.
Donmouth
Aberdeen beach
Just north of St Machar's Cathedral, across Seaton Park, the old Brig O'Balgownie crosses the River Don. A strange legend is attached to the Brig. It is claimed that when 'a wife ae son, and a mear's ae foal' crosses the bridge, it will collapse. So first born sons should take care not to cross the Brig O'Balgownie on a first born foal, or there could be trouble!
Another bridge, the Bridge of Don, is much younger than the Brig O'Balgownie. It is situated near the mouth of the River Don, where Aberdeen's magnificent beach stretches for miles. The beach offers, fine bathing, albeit in the cold waters of the North Sea. Gentle strolling is a more pleasant option so enjoy it for a while until turning back into Old Aberdeen to the conclusion of your walk.
Acknowledgments: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.
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