The 15 Best Aberdeen Tours & Excursions

1.Aberdeen City Centre Walking Tour (2pm)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 217 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $19Our pick

Start at the Robert the Bruce Statue with a local guide such as Kirsty, Bronwyn, John, or Conor. In about 90 minutes, you’ll connect Marischal College, street art, old lanes, witch-trial stories, The Green, Shiprow, and the Maritime Museum. Expect a friendly group of up to 20, with plenty of outdoor walking.

“We had a fabulous walk through Aberdeen with our guide Kristy. Very small group. She was very knowledgeable and gave us great insight into the history and present day culture of the city. Would highly recommend this tour and guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dunnottar Castle and Royal Deeside Small-Group Tour from Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $78

Spend about nine hours exploring Aberdeenshire with a driver-guide in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. Visit dramatic Dunnottar Castle, pause at the Falls of Feugh, and walk through Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve. Guides such as Alan, Neil, and Darryl add history, local stories, and occasional extra stops. Castle admission and food cost extra.

“It was a beautiful day. We happened upon a stone lifting competition and Darryl stopped. It was amazing side detour. Darryl was so fun and knowledgeable. Approachable with questions and allowed us to be in control of our tour. Would recommend it again and again. We had Darryl earlier in the week and my 12 year old niece was hoping it would be him again I was so glad it was.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Loch Ness and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $129

Travel from Aberdeen in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide such as Jim, Neil, Doug, or Alan. See Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield, cruise Loch Ness past Urquhart Castle, and enjoy comfort stops, Highland views, and possible extras such as Highland cows and village stops.

“Loch Ness, the shaggy cows. The tour guide Alan was friendly and informative. He wore a kilt for the tour. Can be cold, so bring extra layers.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.North East Coastal Trail Small Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $78

Travel from Aberdeen in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide. See Spey Bay, Bow Fiddle Rock, Cullen, Portsoy, Bullers of Buchan, and Slains Castle, with time for coastal walks, local food, seabirds, and Scottish stories. Guides such as Jim, Neil, Chris, and Alan have been praised for warmth and humor.

“What a lovely experience! Our tour guide Neil was kind, patient, and full of stories. He took time to get to know the group and was clearly passionate about Scotland and its history and environment. I would absolutely go on other tours with Rabbie’s (the local tour company). Thanks!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Balmoral & Royal Deeside Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $144

Travel from Aberdeen in a small group of up to seven with guides such as Alex, Jamie, Jacqueline, or Calum. Spend two hours at Balmoral, then visit Ballater, Cambus O’ May Suspension Bridge, Tomnaverie Stone Circle, and Queen’s View. Balmoral admission costs extra, and Crathes Castle replaces it when Balmoral is closed.

“What a wonderful tour! Alex, our tour guide knew so much HISTORY AND BACKGROUND with every stop we made! Balmoral Castle and grounds was beautiful! Stops at bridges and spawning streams, the path that the Queen would take on way to Balmoral— the whole trip was wonderful!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $143

Travel from Aberdeen with a local guide such as Alex, Jamie, or Jacqueline to Gardenstown, Crovie, Pennan, Fraserburgh, Bullers of Buchan, Collieston, and Newburgh. Expect narrow coastal roads, fishing history, wildlife, photo stops, and a maximum group of seven.

“The day was lovely. Our guide was a native of Peterhead where we stopped for lunch. The countryside and coast reminded me of nova scotia. First stop was Gardenstown which is a cute old fishing village. Next we took a 10 minute trail along the beach to Crovie, population 4. Our next stop was a few minutes more down the road to Pennan, pop 6. It’s also famous as the filming location for a minor cult classic called Local Hero where the phone booth plays a big role. We drove thru Fraserborough and saw Scotland’s oldest lighthouse but couldn’t stop to take a good pic. Next we went to Peterhead…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Aberdeen’s Distillery Discovery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $47

Meet Alan and Dan at City of Aberdeen Distillery for a one-hour small-group tour with a double gin and tonic, a look at restricted production areas, gin-making stories, botanical facts, and tastings of London Dry and fruit gins. Finish in the botanical garden and browse the shop.

“The best! Had so much fun on this tour. We learned about gin and got to taste lots of it! Our hosts Allan and Dan were very engaging, funny, and informative. Loved it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Speyside Whisky Trail Day Tour from Aberdeen Including Admissions

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $143

Travel from Aberdeen into Royal Deeside and Speyside in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. You’ll visit Corgarff Castle, the Whisky Castle, Speyside Cooperage, and Cardhu Distillery, with a cooperage tour and Cardhu tasting included. Guides such as Neil, Chris, Jim, and Doug bring local stories, though whisky fans wanting two full distillery visits may find the day light on tastings.

“Neil was a fantastic guide and host. The scenery was so beautiful, and the distilleries were awesome! I only wish I could have tipped him, I wasn’t able to exchange money before my trip commenced. I will highly recommend Rabbies for tours, and for future trips.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 29 reviews · 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $8

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap audio walk from the Tolbooth Museum through Aberdeen’s old streets, graveyards, university quarter, harbor, and The Green. Hear stories of public hangings, treason, witches, bodysnatchers, and child-snatchers while moving at your own pace. The tour lasts about 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes and works offline in English.

“Interesting stories told well; saw the city in a different light ; explored parts of the city that I wouldn’t otherwise”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 21 reviews · 30 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $8

Follow a self-guided VoiceMap audio walk from Mercat Cross to Marischal Square. GPS cues lead you past Aberdeen Harbour, the Maritime Museum, Provost Ross’s House, The Green, and historic civic buildings while the narration examines piracy, slavery, and insurrection. Pause for museums, coffee, ice cream, or photos as you go.

“Great way to see the city and get your bearings! Found my way round with ease and saw things by normally seen”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.2 hour Gin School Experience in Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $192

At City of Aberdeen Distillery, the Head Distiller guides you through gin’s origins, botanicals, and small-scale distilling. You’ll sample Aberdeen Gins, make a recipe with more than 100 botanicals, choose your strength and label, then take home a full-sized 70cl bottle. The session starts at 2pm and lasts about two and a half hours.

“Generous tasting. A true education about gin. A chance to develop your nose and make some deliciousness.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Aberdeenshire Private Half Day Castle & Historic Building Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $245

Travel by private vehicle with Malcolm or another Time Exposure Travel guide from Aberdeen to Dunnottar, Crathes, Drum, and Old Aberdeen. You can shape the route around your interests, spend more time on history or gardens, and avoid public transport. Castle interiors cost extra, while outside views are generally free.

“Truly amazing trip to Scotland and I would definitely recommend using a local guide to show you the sights around Aberdeen. Malcolm was great and had so many interesting facts and stories to share everywhere we went. My only issue was I wish I could’ve spent more time exploring the countryside and visited more castles. I guess I will just need to visit again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Aberdeen & Shire Castle & Distillery Private Group one Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $535

Join Malcolm for a private seven to eight hour tour through Aberdeenshire, with pickup in Aberdeen, Stonehaven’s Dunnottar Castle, Crathes Castle, a traditional lunch stop, and a distillery tasting. You can adjust the day to suit your group, swap the distillery for Balmoral Castle, and request help with German interpretation.

“Fantastic day with Malcolm. Very knowledgeable and flexible in his timetable for us. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Great sense of humour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $108

At City of Aberdeen Distillery, a head distiller guides you through juniper, single botanical distillates, Aberdeen Gin samples, and a blend-your-own gin task. Dan and Alan help create a friendly, social session. You finish with a G&T of your choice and a Q&A. The class lasts about two hours and is limited to 20 people.

“One of the best things I have had the pleasure of booking. Dan & Alan are the perfect team and their passion shows. I had an absolute ball. The group was small and we all chatted and laughed. There was a good selection of things to purchase, especially for long haul travel. Thoroughly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Aberdeen Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Walk through Old Aberdeen with a local guide such as Malcolm or Mike, visiting St Machar’s Cathedral, King’s College Chapel, Powis Gates, the Mercat Cross, and a little-known 16th-century graveyard. The two-hour tour is in English, returns to the cathedral, and suits anyone who enjoys history, architecture, and personal guiding.

“Tour guide, Malcolm, was knowledgeable and enjoyable. Old Town Aberdeen is quite an interesting place to visit.”

Check availability →Read our full review