Hello,
I have never been to Aberdeen and just wanted some insight/advice.

I am going on a Scottish islands cruise which is due to set off from Aberdeen in the latter part of June. I am a solo traveller.

I have booked my train ticket from Kings X and, if it is on time, should arrive at Aberdeen at about 11pm (I couldn't travel earlier because of commitments in London that day). I have booked a room at the Premier Inn, in the centre of Aberdeen, I understand it is about a mile from the station.

Normally, for the distance involved, I would just wheel my suitcase to the PI from the station. But I have no idea about Aberdeen city centre, is this OK at this time of night? I have no mobility issues. Or should I take a taxi from the station - is there a taxi rank there?

My other Q. I will be spending the morning, early afternoon in Aberdeen. Is there anything of interest I could be doing before I board the ship. It will be a Friday.

Thanks
Katherine

Aberdeen centre is pretty quiet most of the time, but at 11pm I would be slightly careful as it may be "chucking out time" (varies by pub now between 11 and 12). The taxi rank is right by the station. So I might well take care and use a taxi. However, looking at the map it is less than a mile so maybe yes and maybe no. Is it Friday or Saturday night?

thank you. it would be Thursday night. Just needed a bit of reassurance. I will have printed out a map beforehand and have citymapper on my phone.

You do realize 11 PM won't actually be dark. The sun will have only gone down about 10:30 so it will still be dusk. The hotel is over a mile by car due to one way/pedestrianized streets, but is barely half a mile on foot.

I would feel fine walking from the station at that time - there will be lots of people out and about and there is a certain safety in numbers, and easy its enough to spot sloppy drunks and cross to the other side of the pavement.


Soooo if its pouring down -- take a cab, otherwise IMO walking is fine.

Depends on what your interests are.

One option is to walk to the beach area and head for Fittie ( Foot of the Dee) where there are some fishermen’s cottages. Aberdeen must have one of the best beaches of any city in the UK ( best at low tide)so you could walk along the Pedestrian walkway there.

If art is your thing then the recently renovated Art Gallery is worth a visit; walking there you would pass Marischal College - the second largest granite building in the world and Provost Skene’s house - the oldest building in Aberdeen and with a display on the history of Aberdeen. You might also visit the Tollbooth (free entry), the old jailhouse, if that is your thing; it is interesting enough for a short visit.

If you have time you could walk to the University of Aberdeen - the 5th oldest English speaking university in the world with King’s College a fine late 15th century building- and Old Aberdeen , including a visit to St Machar Cathedral(about 25 minutes walk), where legend has it that one quarter of William Wallace ( Braveheart) was secreted after he was hung, drawn and quartered.

thank you for the reassurance. I did think that walking the short distance to the hotel would be OK. But I've never been to Aberdeen and, although it looked fine on the map, just wanted to know there wasn't some pitfall that wasn't readily apparent.

Katherine

thank you for the recommendations. It sounds like a pretty compact area. I would like to head to the beach I think, but probably depends on the weather.