Museums and galleries in Aberdeen

Museums and galleries in Aberdeen

1. See

   Aberdeen Art Gallery

   The Aberdeen Art Gallery is set in a Victorian building with an exquisite marble and granite main hall. On the ground floor are housed modern works including pieces by Tracy Emin and Gilbert & George, with many others. Upstairs hang more traditional paintings and sculpture. These include Impressionist pieces and workandy the Scottish Colourists. There are frequent temporary exhibitions (see website) and also display of antique silverware and decorative pieces. Columns in the main hall display the many different colours of local granite used to build the city. There is a good gift shop too. For those who like art, an afternoon could easily be spent here, but at least a quick browse is well worth it for anyone.

   Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-4PM·Admission free

2. See

   Aberdeen Maritime Museum

   This museum, rated 5-star by the Scottish Tourist Board, tells the story of Aberdeen's relationship with the sea, from fishing to trade to North Sea oil. It offers an extraordinary insight into the mechanics and technology of ships and oil rigs, Aberdeen's rich maritime history and the lives of some of the people who have worked offshore in the North Sea for the past 500 years. The newest part of the complex is a blue, glass-fronted building on the cobbled Shiprow. Inside is a spiral walkway, rising upwards around an eye-catching model of an oil rig. Connected to this structure are the much older buildings which take visitors through a series of castle-style corridors and staircases to reach the numerous room sets, historical artefacts and scale models. If your time in Aberdeen is limited, go and see this. There is so much to see, and even the buildings themselves are worth a look. There is also a restaurant that is slightly expensive, but the food is pretty good. There are excellent views of the harbour from the top floor.

   Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-4PM·Admission free

3. See

   Gordon Highlanders Museum

   The Gordon Highlanders were formed in 1881 from an infantry division of 1794, and amalgamated into the Highlanders in 1994, now a battalion within the Royal Regiment of Scotland. They were thus involved in two centuries of wars and campaigns, and 13 of its men were awarded the Victoria Cross. Exhibits include a Nazi flag from Hitler's staff car and mock-up First World War trenches. It's housed in the home of the Victorian artist Sir George Reid, and has a large garden.

   Feb-Nov Tue-Sat 10AM-4:30PM·Adult £12, conc £9, child £6

4. See

   King's Museum

   This University-run museum on the King's College campus has rotating exhibitions. The building, a 1727 townhouse, is closed for redevelopment.

   Closed

5. Do

   P&J Live

   The Event Complex

   Exhibition and events venue which opened in 2019, replacing the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. The biennial Offshore Europe exhibition, held in early September of odd-numbered years, is the biggest event.

6. See

   Sir Duncan Rice Library

   Striking modern building by St Machar Park west side of the campus. It's accessible to the public, with a ground floor gallery for exhibitions.

   Mon-Fri 8AM-10PM, Sat 9AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-10PM

7. See

   Tolbooth Museum

   The tolbooth was the main municipal building or Town Hall, for council meetings, courthouse and jail. This 17th-century example had jail cells in centuries past, and played a key role in the city's history, including the Jacobite rebellions. The museum has fascinating displays on crime and punishment, and on the history of the city. Limited access for visitors with mobility difficulties.

   as of Jan 2024 it is temporarily closed, pending building survey·Free

8. See

   Zoology Museum

   This museum is on the ground floor of the university's Zoology Dept. It has a big collection of specimens, from protozoa to the great whales. Exhibits include taxidermy, skeletons, skins, fluid-preserved specimens and models.

   Closed until further notice·Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Aberdeen (CC BY-SA 4.0).