A pal is spending a few days in Footdee for a conference. It is 40+ years since Mrs F was at Robert Gordon’s so she’s a bit out of touch with downtown.
We usually stay in Ballater and visit the granite city for a day. I loved the Science Centre but probably haven’t been for a decade, since Offspring the Younger became a teenager.
I’ve suggested a walk along the Esplanade, Union Street, a trip to Stonehaven for Dunnottar castle, and Crathes. The Ballater Highland Games were this Thursday just gone. Where else should our pal hang out when not doing academia?
I would give Union Street a miss. Undergoing major works, and on my last visit was largely betting and charity shops. Maritime Museum is fine, and the Art Gallery which itself was refurbished a couple of years back. I’ve not been, but Da Vinci in Alford Lane is a highly recommended Italian Restaurant. Finally, the best thing about Aberdeen is the boat that goes to Shetland.
Fittie is lovely, lucky pal. Union Street these days is a desert – avoid. Old Aberdeen is worth a wander . The Art Gallery, free of course, was much better before the recent expensive makeover but still merits an hour or so. The tiny snug bar in Ma Cameron’s is a must (although upstairs is now identikit Sky Sports). Ashvale chipper is superb. Hazelhead and Duthie are proper old-fashioned parks. As you well know, the whole of Royal Deeside is a delight. Don’t forget a dozen rowies to see the day through (The Bread Guy is your man).
When asked “Fit like?” reply “Nae bad, foo’s yersel?”
Aye, Ma Cameron’s is the place I was thinking of.
If your pal has a vehicle whilst there, on one day I’d recommend a trip up the coast to Fraserburgh and a stroll through the absolutely excellent Museum of Scottish Lighthouses out on Kinnaird Head.
There’s a museum of lighthouses? How many?
And a kipper on the quayside, of course, from the Fishplaice.
There should be fresh Herring in the fish restaurants just now. Nothing better. Fry in flour, with a boiling of new tatties.
Here it is, and comes highly recommended – Lady Foxy went there while visiting friends near Peterhead and came back home full of praise for the place, and presented me with a glorious new mug – illustrated by Emma Ball – that she’d bought there.
https://lighthousemuseum.org.uk/
Very cool indeed! In my day, Fraserburgh, home of my ancestors, was officially the most boring town in Scotland. Things seem to have changed…
I don’t think I’ve ever been to Fraserburgh (or Peterhead) but I like lighthouses and I plan to do that bit of the coast next year in our own campervan (when it finally arrives).
There’s a new tourist route, the Nort East 250, which starts in Glen Shee, goes through the Cairgorms, along Deeside, turns left at Aberdeen, goes round the coast then follows the Speyside back through the Cairngorms. There is, of course, the Local Hero phone box at Pennan.
Any excuse for a photo opportunity next to the Cock Bridge sign…
Should have added to Old Aberdeen – St Machar Cathedral then walk through Seaton Park to Brig O’ Balgownie
I’m thinking a holiday is required, not just evenings after a conference!
Deeside, Speyside, Balmedie Beach (avoid the Orange One’s Golf Course), Dunnottar, Ma Cameron’s, dolphins leaping in the harbour, impenetrable patois, everything deep fried: what’s not to like about The Silver City By The Golden Sands (except when it’s raining and 17C which, to be honest, is most of the time…)?
Man alive, after this endless Languedoc Summer, what I wouldn’t give to be walking through Aberdeen in a light drizzle, grey skies overhead and wishing I’d brought my long johns….
I know what you mean – South Cambs hasn’t been much cooler than Le France. It was a cloudy 25C today and I wore long strides for the first time in months.
I can see most of those places in my mind’s eye. I want to do that coast road from Aberdeen to Inverness. And we want to do the NC500 again, but much slower (at least two weeks). And there’s going to be a family gathering at the Ballater Highland Games next August.
Conclusion: we need at least two trips. Not sure I could face leaving the house to the Offsprings for a whole month, the kitchen bins would be overflowing with unpleasantness.
BBC Weather Aberdeen: Tonight 13°C, Heavy rain and a gentle breeze
Rain… Lovely rain….
Long strides at 25C? Blimey. I am good in shorts above about 16
You a postie?
No that would be for temperatures above zero
If I’d have been staying at home all day, I’d be in shorts. But Offspring the Elder wanted to do some driving practice & go charity shopping this morning. I was crate-digging in a couple of shops which must have got their carpets second-hand, straight from the Brixton Academy, and not cleaned them since. If I’d gone in shorts, I’d be bleaching my legs before bed tonight. Sticking my trews in a hot wash is much easier.