Old Aberdeen and beach circuit

An unexpected mixture of fabulous sea front, picturesque riverside and woodland combined with an exploration of the cobbled streets and ancient buildings, university and cathedral of Old Aberdeen.

Terrain

Seafront surfaced path, roads with pavements, woodland and riverside paths - some road crossings.

Public Transport

Bus from Aberdeen city centre to start

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Start

Aberdeen sea front, near Leisure Centre. Map and directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

This circular route starts from part way along Aberdeen beach near the leisure centre - there is on street parking on the sea front here. Buses can be taken to this point from the city centre or it is possible to walk by following Union Street to the eastern end with the Mercat Cross and continuing down to a roundabout where you follow Beach Boulevard to the sea front. From the start head north along the sea front heading away from the city. Aberdeen is one of the few cities to boast a proper sandy beach, although the weather is often more suited to a bracing walk than sunbathing.

Stage 2

Keep following the concrete walkway until its end at the north end of the beach - although a faint path continues ahead turn left to climb up to the road and then head right to continue along the pavement as the road follows the line of the River Don. The estuary is a nature reserve and on the right, half way to the main road, there is a bird hide overlooking the water. At the main road turn right to cross the bridge. At the far side it is necessary to cross the main road - either detour a short way up the road to the traffic lights or cross with care here. Take the path heading left down to the river signed Brig o'Balgownie. Follow the riverside and eventually climb a set of stone steps.

Stage 3

Turn left to cross the Brig o'Balgownie, one of the oldest bridges in Scotland. Built in the 13th century it was extremely important as a trade route and as the only way to move armies along the eastern coast. The 12 metre span of the Gothic arch is constructed from granite and sandstone. After the bridge follow the road up past the pretty cottages and look out for a gateway on the right leading to Seaton Park Wood. Follow the main path, keeping right, above the gorge squeezing the River Don, and then heading down to the riverside and continuing upstream. Head right on the main path to pass the public toilets and then bear left at the fork to climb up to an exit for the park which leads to St Machar's Cathedral.

Stage 4

Head through the graveyard to reach the cathedral, originally founded in 580 by St Machar, a companion of St Columba, the Norman structure was built in 1131. Part of William Wallace is buried in the walls after his execution and distribution of his body parts in 1305. Leave the graveyard by the main exit onto The Chanonry and turn left to follow this ancient road round the corner eventually turning right into Don Street to reach the main road, St Machar Drive. Cross at the crossing and continue straight ahead down High Street, passing the 18th century Old Town House and Mercat Cross in the middle of the street. The Old Town House has recently been restored and the reception area houses an information centre about Old Aberdeen.

Stage 5

Old Aberdeen is dominated by the University, although clues to previous lives and occupations can be found in the street names, including Wrights' and Coopers' Place which was where the iron workers and barrel makers would have lived and worked. Founded in 1495 by Bishop Elphinstone, the University of Aberdeen is the third oldest university in Scotland. Detour past the large tomb of Bishop Elphinstone on the right to visit Kings College through the arched gateway. Continue down High Street, passing the Disney-esque gateway on the right and then turning left along University Road.

Stage 6

At the end of the road turn right along King Street and continue to the traffic lights where you cross the road and then head left down Linksfield Road. Pass the impressively large sports village, containing a full size indoor football pitch and useful cafe, and turn right at the end into Golf Road soon passing Pittodrie, the stadium of Aberdeen Football Club (where Sir Alex Ferguson cut his managerial teeth). At the road junction cross, and then climb the steps up the grassy mound ahead, keeping left where the steps fork. Broad Hill has its own trig point and good views over the city and beach. Follow the path down to reach the back of the leisure centre. Bear left at the bottom to reach the sea front and the starting point. Gents may want to admire the well preserved Victorian loos on the front here - the women's, built much later once the authorities realised women also went to the toilet, are not as decorative. From the sea front buses can be taken back to the city centre.