Aberdeen tips please!

furrypig

Hi

Planning a Scottish summer holiday, last 2 weeks of August. Bro in law and partner expecting twins in July so want to go up with family and combine visit and hols.

They live in Aberdeen, I don't know that part of Scotland at all (my mum's family mostly live in Fife). Any tips on things to do with kids (will be 5 and 8). Any idea of good area to stay near enough to visit Aberdeen? Any fab shops to explore??

Any tips gratefully received

Many thanks

steve$$$$$_5

I am sure your kids would love : http://www.storybookglenaberdeen.co.uk/

It all outdoor,but you should be ok in August (he says hopefully)

littlereddevil

Not a great amount to do in Aberdeen(population only 250,000) but there is a beach although it's usually too cold. there is a funfair at the beach and swimming pool with flumes etc,bowling, skating rink and cinemas. There are some nice country walks around about but it all depends on the weather. we are not famed for nice weather up here. There are a few parks to stroll around also. There are the usual shops you get everywhere but we tend to go elsewhere to the outlet stores at Livingston (about a 2 hour drive away).
depends what sort of accomodation you are looking for.is it caravan or b&b or hotel? In town or out of?

furrypig

Thanks for your replies.

Was hoping to do self catering in a cottage/house for a week near Aberdeen and a week somewhere else. Any ideas??

Dumyat

just looking at your location...surrey...you have got quite a journey ahead of you. Maybe you should consider breaking your journey in both directions and spend the middle in Aberdeen.

skintbint_2

Hi try Stonehaven for accomodation just a 20 min drive south of Aberdeen, with train and bus links north and South, Stonehaven has a wonderful heated outside swimming pool - very art deco and the kids love it, Has a beautiful harbour where you can sit outside and have a drink while the kids play, storeybook glen 15 mins, 45 mins to Dundee - Frigate Unicorn and Captain Scotts Discovery, Camperdown Park and wildlife centre (full day required!), Arbroath 30 mins Abbey and the signing of the declaration, indoor amusement arcarde, world famous smokies! Kirriemuir 40 mins JM Barries cottage and then head over the hills to ballater, banchory and braemar then up in the chairlift at Glenshee, or a spot of Pony Trekking. We live about 30 mins from Stonehaven and the kids love it (6 and 9)

oldrimes

The Satrosphere (sort of hands on science area). Very popular with children, and there is a little cafe on site.
http://www.satrosphere.net/

Aberdeen Maritime Museum (covers fishing, trade and oil industry)
http://www.aagm.co.uk/code/emuseum.asp?page=buildings_maritime_museum

Winter Gardens and Duthie Park
http://www.treasuresofbritain.org/Duthie.htm
http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/acc/yourcouncil/departments/artsrec/Winter_Gardens.asp

More information and links to accommodation:
http://www.agtb.org/aberdeen-scotland.htm

furrypig

Thanks everyone will be busy in Scotland!!

We are probably going to fly up as I have no choice with my holidays and most cottages do Sat to Sat lets we won't have anytime to break journey up either side.

Thanks to all of you again!

Mattjimf

The toll booth museum at the town house is fun, the museum in Marscial college is full of strange and unusal items. For an idea of events happening in Aberdeen go here closer to the time and it'll tell you what is happening, you can also check here as well.

leona71

Some people have made Aberdeen sound soooo boring but if you actually try and be a bit more adventurous then you'll see a lot of great history in our Town and surrounding areas. We have some splendid castles for you to visit and totally beautiful country-sides. Okay the weather might not be the best at times but in August it should be nice, not too hot and not cold.

mrs_T

Agree with all of above and am impressed by the work that went into it EXCEPT Aberdeen does have a largeish funfair/carnival/ten pin bowling/foam factory (kids play place) http://www.codonas.com/Rides_-_Attractions.html part of which is indoors (in case of rain) and which is located at the beach, which also has lovely old fashioned cafes if you avoid the likes of pizza hut and TGIF. If you walk to the southern end of the beach Footdee (fittie) is an interesting fishing village part of town well worth seeing.

Try http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/acc/Whatson/default.asp to find out whats on while your here.

If you have access to a car and are out and about I would recommend this shop/restaurant/exhibition space as something different and definately "local": http://www.millersmidmar.info/millers/

Local kids go back to school on 22nd August so everything should be less busy after that.