The 6 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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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!”

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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!!!”

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6.Aberdeen’s Ancient Heritage and Folklore

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $135

Spend 7.5 hours with Jacqueline of Grampian Escapes Tours exploring Pictish forts, carved stones, ancient circles, and local folklore around Aberdeenshire. The small group, with no more than seven people, allows room for questions and possible custom stops. Bring lunch, walking shoes, and poles for the hill sections.

“Jacqueline was an amazing guide! The tour ended up with just me so she was so accommodating and asked me what I was interested in seeing for a more personalized experience. I had a great time and got to see some wonderful sites and hear great history/folklore.”

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