Yes, Elite is one of the ones we looked at. There are a couple others in Fife as well. The thing is, we can't just stop there on the way. One has to book an experience for a specific date and time. So we would do this for the day after we arrive. But I will check out Falkland as a place to stay for sure.

Janisj- yes, I thought that would be a good option too. However, that place looks may be one that mostly does demonstrations at set times, rather than personal experiences. We did want to get up close with the birds and they may offer this as well. I've contacted them, but not heard back. It would certainly make things easier in some ways to go there. But if we do that, I think the 2:15 flight to ABZ is really the only option. By the time we get to a hotel, it will be close to 6pm. It just feels like the entire arrival day is wasted. Not really sure what can be done though.

I understand. But do consider if you arrange your transport and itinerary to fit in something like that -- if the weather doesn't cooperate and they aren't flying the birds that day you will have missed it anyway. When I've done Falconry (3 times I think) it was always when I was staying in the area a week or more and could work around weather cancellations.

Janisj That is a very good point about the weather. I should ask about weather cancellations and refunds. However, one of the reasons we did not do this last summer was because the places we wanted were not available for the dates we had because we'd waited too late to book (still several months out).

Ok, I think we've decided to fly to Aberdeen from London, on the 2:15 flight. My husband would prefer waiting picking up the car rather than picking it up when we arrive at the airport and then having to drive somewhere. This means we'd like to spend a night or two in Aberdeen first.

So, where to stay in Aberdeen without a car? And recommendations on what to do while there? Any good day trips by train?

Janisj, I know you said you would not stay there, but I think we'll have plenty of time in the countryside and perhaps we can ease into the trip this way.

I've taken Caledonian Sleeper trains several times and it pays IMO to get a first-class private cabin - really one of best night trains anywhere (and this was several years ago - may even be better now - breakfast was served in bed! But book early as possible for lower fares - go to ScotRail web site - night trains are not for everyone however - have you ever taken one? There is always a modicum of noise from inside and outside the train - for more on rains and night trains and booking your own ticket online check www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

I'm leaving for the evening but just saw your post . . . After such a long travel day -- I'd stay at an airport hotel (Jury's Inn or one of the others) and simply relax -- if you are up to it you can go into the city center for dinner/drinks. But stay that night at the airport, pick up your car early the next morning and get out of Dodge.

Stonehaven (Dunnottar Castle) is about 20 minutes by train from Aberdeen.

National Rail Enquiries - Official source for UK train times and timetables

FYI, when we were in this area a few years ago, the car rental offices were only at the Aberdeen Airport, so if you stay in the city I think you'd have to return to the airport to pick up a car. We stayed at Banchory Lodge which is about 20 miles from the Aberdeen Airport and about 15 miles from Dunnottar Castle.

Banchory Lodge - Home - Banchory Lodge

Aberdeen is a city with over 1000 years of history. People arriving in the train station and having a cursory look around might not be impressed with the city centre, especially after being in Edinburgh; however, with a bit of research you could have a decent couple of days exploring the city and it's surroundings.

In the city you could do a walk around Old Aberdeen, visiting King's College, St Machar's Cathedral and then have a walk through Seaton Park.

A walk along the beach front through the old fishing area of Fittie perhaps? ( fittie means foot of the river Dee). Check tide times to get a reasonably low tide so the beach is mostly exposed.

Aberdeen's other parks to visit would be Duthie Park - small but with its excellent indoor Winter Gardens ( good if weather iffy) and Hazlehead - much larger and with woodland walks around it's golf courses. Hazlehead also has the memorial to the people who lost their lives in the Piper Alpha rig tragedy in 1988.

For hotels - I would stay somewhere in the West End of the city- somewhere around Queen's road and in proximity to Queen's Cross roundabout. One's that come to mind ( since you didn't fancy the Marcliffe) would be the Chester Hotel, Malmaison. Atholl hotel OK. This area would allow you to appreciate Aberdeen's granite architecture and you should have a walk passed Aberdeen Grammar School building with its statue of Lord Byron , who was a pupil there in his early years.

There are decent pub and restaurant opportunities around the area also - Number 10 is a favourite.

In town, if you are interested in whisky, The Grill is an old fashioned pub with a good whisky selection; CASC, is a new bar with over 500 whiskies. Of course, the original Brewdog pub is in the city if beer is your thing.

For food, try out Montmartre in Justice Mill Lane - very reasonably priced French food.

Dunnotar and Stonehaven south of the city have been mentioned. North of the city Newburgh has a bird sanctuary, great beach walk and a seal colony that is worth seeing if you like wildlife.

PS I do not work for the Aberdeen Tourist board!

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/aber...aberdeen.shtml

Some suggestions for walks in Aberdeen; however this website is good for walks anywhere in Scotland.

Aberdeen's beauty is more subtle than Edinburgh's, but it's really quite lovely on the human scale. The majority of (older) buildings are faced in granite (hence the "granite city") and my first impression years ago was that the city had always been there and only appeared when the soil had been removed by various excavations. Granite doesn't stain as easily from coal smoke as the sandstone or softer rock used in most Scottish cities, so buildings built 150 years ago look like they were opened yesterday.



It might not be everybody's idea of a scenic Scottish city, but I think it's distinctive and quite elegant, and certainly worth some time exploring.

Quite right Gardyloo.

Granite is extremely hard wearing and doesn't corrode the same way that the more tradition sandstone of Edinburgh and Glasgow buildings does. Unfortunately, being grey means that, on a " dreich" day, with a grey sky and a grey sea, Aberdeen can seem, well, "dreich"! On the other hand, on a sunny day - and being on the East coast, Aberdeen gets more sunny days than in the west- the granite sparkles and people see Aberdeen at its best.

Marischal College in your photograph is, I believe, the second largest granite building in the world ( Escorial Palace in Madrid is largest).

Most the granite that was used to build Aberdeen came from Rubislaw Quarry, on the outskirts of Aberdeen - it was the largest man-made hole in Europe at one time. Sadly it has flooded and one cannot appreciate its full stature ( 500 feet deep). I do remember seeing it as a working quarry.

Ugh, I wrote a reply last night and now it does not seem to be here.

Are you sure you guys don't work for the Aberdeen tourist board? ;-)

Gardyloo that building is gorgeous!

jtpj777- thanks for the lengthy reply and all the suggestions, I will certainly check them out. Thanks especially for the walkhighlands site. What do you think about us staying closer to the train station? Looks like the buses to and from the airport drop off there. It's not that I didn't fancy the Marcliffe, it's just a little farther out than I'd like to be without a car.

Jean- Yes, we will have to return to the airport to pick up the car. Thanks for the rec for Dunnotar castle, looks like we can easily do that by train.

PalenQ- Yes, I have experience with overnight trains. Just took Amtrak across the US in a sleeper (LA to DC) in November, and I've done long distance overnights in China and Thailand as well. The thing about 1st class on the Caledonian is that it's really the same as a standard, they just flip up the upper bunk and let only 1 person stay in the compartment. Since I will be traveling with my husband, I'd prefer to be in the same compartment. If it were a longer trip, I'd consider two adjoining for the extra space, but given it's only 11 hours, most of it sleeping, I think we'll be good with just one room.

Does 2 for 1 cover sleeper trains too in full? Yeh I had a single first class but 2nd class sounds perfect for two.

The two for one pass covered it last year, but unfortunately, they changed the rules this year, and after February, it will no longer cover sleeper tickets, only seated tickets.

Just to clarify -- I really do like Aberdeen and have spent a fair amount of time in/nearby. However -- because you have so little time I personally would not devote essentially two days there. It would simply take time away from other places you want to visit. If you check in to your hotel and are feeling OK then you would have the late afternoon and evening to walk around and see some of the city.

I was not dissing Aberdeen at all - just trying to be practical. Or . . . you could lengthen your trip by a few days

If you tried to add every place we would/could recommend you'd need months.

Janisj- Can't lengthen the trip, unfortunately. I think we'll be ok with 2 nights in Aberdeen. The first day is pretty much a wash, but I'd rather not stay in an airport hotel. The second day we'll probably check out the town and also take the train to Dunnotar and back. On the third day, we'll pick up the rental car and head out (not sure where). This actually gives me an extra day to figure out because my first itinerary had 3 nights in Aberdeen.
What are your thoughts on where to stay in Aberdeen? Do you think the West End is a good choice or should we be closer to the train station or elsewhere?

The walk from Stonehaven to Dunottar is fabulous https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/aber...r-castle.shtml

As long as you must I like the West End - you'd be a couple of miles from the train station but it would be a short cab ride.

There is no doubt staying at the station makes things more convenient for using the train to Stonehaven and Dunnotar. It would also mean that you could walk from there along Union Street to Castlegate then to the beach if you wished - about 30 mins at a guess. It's just that that area of Aberdeen is not particularly attractive, whereas the West End is quieter and pleasanter IMO, albeit, less convenient.

Decisions, decisions!!!

Janisj- Yes, we plan on doing that walk!

Will look at West End hotels.

PalenQ- As of today the Caledonian has changed its site and now says they will honor railcard discounts through October. Unfortunately, I just booked and it did not show a discount. The site says they may not be available until Feb 25, so I may have to get a refund and book later if I want the 60 pound discount.

If you do the walk consider timings to eat at the harbour: The Marine Hotel is good. More upmarket is the Tollbooth restaurant.