Explore the granite buildings and sculptures of Aberdeen's city centre on this circuit which also takes in the Art Gallery and Provost Skene's House.
City streets with pavements, roads to cross.
Buses and trains to Aberdeen.
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Mercat Cross, Castlegate, Aberdeen. Map and directions.
Aberdeen is known as the Granite City and this walk takes in many of the best stone buildings and sculptures of the city centre. Start from Castlegate at the east end of Union Street where the Mercat Cross sits on its hexagonal base. Dating from 1686 this was the place where people gathered for markets, public punishments and royal proclamations. Also here is the Castlegate Well, once part of the city's water supply, it is topped by a lead figure known as the Mannie. Cross at the corner of King Street and Union Street to the columned entrance of The Archibald Simpson, now a pub named after the architect of both this former bank building, Marischal College and Aberdeen's St Andrews Cathedral.
Pass the Tolbooth building on the right which houses the Sheriff Court. Granite is such a hard wearing rock that many of the buildings have not weathered. Its toughness meant that in the 18th century there was great demand for granite for roads, harbours, bridges and imposing buildings and Aberdeen expanded as an export port. Turn right at the lights onto Broad Street and continue until Marischal College is seen on the right - the second largest granite building in the world. It blends the plainer style of Archibald Simpson from the 1830s with the “perpendicular gothic” style of Alexander Marshall Mackenzie from the 1890s. Built as part of the University of Aberdeen, it is still used for some university events although most of the building now houses Aberdeen City Council offices.
Cross Broad Street opposite the start of Marishall College and head under the open archway of the rather less architecturally-inspired St Nicholas House. Provost Skene's house is now seen on the right, set in an attractive courtyard. Parts of the building dates back to 1545, the early pre-industrial use of granite is evident in the lack of working of the stone. Well worth a visit inside, make sure you look at the Russell Head attached to the south east corner. Russell, who owned a bakery the Council had closed down, carved this stone effigy of himself and positioned it to point at his neighbour who he believed had made the original complaint to the Council. In front of the building is a lovely bronze sculpture of two dancing figures called Sea Fantasy by Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones who was born in Aberdeen.
Turn right into Flourmill Lane and then left along Schoolhill, cross this road opposite the entrance to the Bon Accord centre. Soon the Robert Gordon University building and then the Art Gallery are passed. The Art Gallery has an impressive collection of paintings, sculpture and graphics. At the corner of the Art Gallery is the War Memorial with its majestic granite lion. Continue to His Majesty's Theatre where old and new architecture combine. Beyond this is the Central Library building. Cross the road (Rosemount Viaduct) just before the library to reach the large statue of William Wallace.
Turn left along Union Terrace which has a great view over Union Terrace Gardens and the domes and spires of Aberdeen beyond. Prince Albert is passed on his throne and half way along the street is a statue of Robert Burns. Continue to the corner where an imposing King Edward 7th stands on a plinth of red Peterhead granite. Turn right into Union Street and take the second on the right, 5th Silver Street to reach Golden Square with a statue of George, 5th Duke of Gordon in the centre of elegant houses. Leave the square on the left into Crimon Place and cross the road and head slightly left to follow a pathway around the back and side of St Mary's Cathedral and onto Huntly Street.
Turn left along Huntly Street to pass the front of the cathedral and return to Union Street. Turn right for a short distance and cross Union Street and head left down Bon Accord Street. Take the second on the right to view Bon Accord Square, Georgian homes built by Archibald Simpson for some of the city's wealthier residents in the 1820s. Return to Union Street and turn right passing the columns of the Music Hall on the far side and eventually returning to the Mercat Cross at the far end.
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