Step 2 · Choose your base
Old Aberdeen: cobbles, colleges and quiet streets
The historic burgh to the north of the centre, where the university's oldest buildings line a cobbled high street.
Where is Old Aberdeen?
Old Aberdeen lies about a mile and a half north of Union Street, between King Street and the River Don. It was once a separate burgh, built around its cathedral and university, and it still feels distinct from the rest of the city: narrow cobbled lanes, low granite houses, walled gardens and a pace that slows the moment you arrive.
What is there to see?
The centrepiece is King's College, founded in 1495 by Bishop William Elphinstone and now part of the University of Aberdeen. Its chapel, with a distinctive stone crown on its tower, is one of the best-known images of the city. The High Street runs north past the Old Town House to the Chanonry, where St Machar's Cathedral stands at the edge of Seaton Park; its twin west towers and painted heraldic ceiling are the reason many visitors make the walk. The Cruickshank Botanic Garden, run by the university, is tucked behind the colleges.
Further north, beyond Seaton Park, the Brig o' Balgownie crosses the River Don in a single pointed arch. Dating from the fourteenth century, it is one of the oldest bridges in Scotland still standing, and the riverside paths here make a lovely short walk.
Who suits a stay here?
Old Aberdeen is quiet, especially outside university term. It suits visitors who would rather walk in to the centre or take a short bus ride than be in the middle of the nightlife, and those visiting the university. Choice of accommodation is smaller than in the centre, so book ahead, particularly around graduation periods.
- Distance to Union Street: around 30–40 minutes on foot, or a short bus journey along King Street.
- For the beach: the esplanade and Pittodrie are a 20–25 minute walk east.
- For Old Aberdeen in a day: combine King's College, the High Street, St Machar's and Seaton Park in a relaxed morning.
A suggested walk
Start at King's College and walk north along the High Street, noting the Old Town House at the top. Continue along the Chanonry to St Machar's, then drop into Seaton Park and follow the Don upstream to the Brig o' Balgownie. Return the same way or head to the coast at the Donmouth, where seals often haul out on the sandbanks. It is a two- to three-hour outing at an unhurried pace.