Newly moved to Aberdeen to Study, I thought I would share how I have found the grey city so far.
What better way to explore a new place than to go for a 4 hour long hike, starting at the beach and ending back in the city. The not so bleak beach was a pleasant surprise and very long 4 mile walk. Not what you would expect to find a meer 30 minuted from the granite city. The walk along the promenade was peaceful watching the waves crashing against the beach and the various dogs patiently waiting for their humans.
After reaching what felt like the most north Aberdeen could get, we crossed a bridge to continue walking to the Brig o’Balgownie (Bridge of Don), a contender for one of the oldest bridges in Scotland. Despite not being able to get a picture of the stunning bridge, due to all the over-grown trees and private land in the way (the shots online are deceiving and must have been taken from a boat) ; the view from on top of the bridge was not too shabby!
Seaton park was just a 20 minute walk from the Brig o’Balgownie and upon first entering looked more like a woodland than a park. Full of various birds and squirrels, a tranquil place to walk and take in nature. Maybe a bit eerie if you are on your own though! Eventually it opens up to the river Don, which can be seen from the Brig o’Balgownie and just a little further on is the park. Appearing more like a secret garden than a park with the place relatively empty and decorated with colourful flowers. The dominating architecture by the far entrance to the park is St Machar’s cathedral.
Beginning the walk back takes you through Old Aberdeen with narrow cobbled streets and the University King College grounds. Filled with old buildings and little shops the Sir Duncan library stands out as towering modern building amongst the rest of the university.
Just a 30 minute walk back and your back in the city centre, which is loaded with shops, cafes (Predominantly caffe Nero) and street art. Of course it would not have been the complete Scottish experience without a scotsman in a kilt playing the bag pipes for a crowd outside the Bon Accord shopping centre. The highlight of the centre has to be the splendid Neo-gothic architecture of Marischal college, this is part owned by the University and the council. Although, all the buildings are pretty and sparkling in the sun from the grey granite. Another hard to miss feature of the centre is the seagull’s, which give the centre the seaside feel. Aberdeen the grey city or Seagull city I will let you decide!
Travel, Oceans and Sunsets 