ABERDEEN'S BLITZ: REMEMBERING 21 APRIL 1943
WEDNESDAY 23 MAY 2018

As a follow-up to our indoor talk, those who are feeling fit can join us to visit the actual sites of the bombings from the fateful night of 21st April 1943.  At nearly 3miles this is a strenuous walk, so wear appropriate shoes/boots! Beginning at the site of Kittybrewster Railway Station, we follow the route of the enemy bombers down into the centre of town, finishing on John Street. More details here.

MEET: Kittybrewster Council Depot, 38 Powis Terrace (MAP) about 15min before start point
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION approx 2.25hrs
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

HIDDEN ABERDON: TALES OF THE RIVER
FRIDAY 25 MAY 2018

This tour is part wildlife-walk and part history of a long-lost part of Old Aberdeen. Beginning at the university library and ending at the medieval Brig o Balgownie, we pass through the Chanonry, historic former precinct of the Bishop of Aberdon to Seaton Park, once the estate of the Gordons and then Hays of Seaton. Plenty to see, and there's always the chance some of Seaton Park's wild creatures will put in an appearance, including squirrels, seals, otters, herons, ducks (of all varieties) and even bats! More here.

MEET: Sir Duncan Rice Library, Meston Walk, Old Aberdeen (MAP) about 15min before start point
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: approx 2hrs
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

LOST CINEMAS OF ABERDEEN
MONDAY 28 MAY 2018

Aberdeen truly could describe itself as Cinema City in the early 20th century - with a total of 42 cinemas, and 30 operating at any one time, we had the most picter hooses in Scotland.  Following on from the indoor talk, this is your chance to see the sites of these once glorious cinemas in situ.  Only the Belmont Filmhouse remains in its original position with its original exterior, but sadly nothing remains of so many others which were architecturally stunning in their own right. With the background stories to each cinema on the route, we attempt to cover the ones from the city centre only.  More details here.

MEET: Nuffield Health Club, Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen (Former Odeon Cinema), (MAP) around 15min before the start.
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: approx 2hrs
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

TALES OF OLD TORRY
THURSDAY 31 MAY 2018

We begin at the foot of Sinclair Road, near the heart of the old fisher village, once an independent royal burgh, now a forgotten suburb, come and learn the stories and history of the former Kincardineshire settlement, which finally became part of Aberdeen City in 1891.  Also making a pilgrimage to the now closed Aitken's Bakery on Menzies Road, the reputed home of the rowie!  More details here.

MEET: Junction of Sinclair Road & Baxter Street (site of Torry Bar), about 15 min before start (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: Approx 2.25hrs
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

FITTIE: ABERDEEN'S PLANNED FISHER VILLAGE (MINI TOUR)
FRIDAY 1 JUNE 2018

A brand-new addition to our mini-tours series; beginning on Pocra Quay near the site of the original Block House, a stone fort first erected in the 15th century to protect the city from "English invaders", we follow the fall and rise of the fisher residents of the Kirktoun of Futty, who forced the council into providing them a new home when harbour development threatened to obliterate the old village of Pockraw in the late 18th century.  More details here. 

MEET: Footdee Dock Workers' Memorial, Pocra Quay, Opposite Memorial Cross (MAP) about 15min before start
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: Approx 1hr
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

ABERDEEN'S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
TUESDAY 5 JUNE 2018

Celebrating Aberdeen's largely forgotten industrial heritage, including textiles, milling, granite, combworks and candles! A lengthy wander beginning in Rosemount and finishing in front of the weel-kent soap and candle manufactory Ogston & Tennant, representing four generations of the Ogston family, including Police Surgeon, Francis Ogston, and his son, Dr Alexander Ogston, who first introduced antiseptic surgical techniques in the city.  More details here.

Meet: In front of Bon Accord Free Church, Rosemount Viaduct (MAP)
Starts: 7.30pm
Duration: Approx 2hrs
Tickets: Click HERE to book or in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

OLD TORRY: THE LOST VILLAGES (MINI TOUR)
THURSDAY 7 JUNE 2018

Another of our short-and-sweet mini tours for those who just want a taster of our walks.  However, this is a bit of a hike! We start at the ruins of Torry's medieval kirk, Old St Fitticks, and walk UP (and we do mean up, we're literally climbing Torry hill!) to the Balnagask Motte, home of early medieval chief, Cormac of Nigg, then cross Victoria Road and down into the old fisher village, of which very little remains.  8 centuries of history in one hour! Think you know Torry? Think again! Details here.

Meet: St Fittick's Kirk, St Fittick's Road, Torry (MAP)
Starts: 7.30pm
Duration: approx 1 hr
Tickets: Click HERE to book or in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

BURKERS & BODYSNATCHERS: MURKY MEDICAL MISDOINGS IN ABERDEEN
WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE 2018(for one night only!!!)

One of our special street theatre "ghost tours" returns for one date, taking you back to the days of Burke & Hare et al!

Learn of the murky medical doings of the surgeons, students and professional resurrectionists in the city from the 1800s to the passing of the Anatomy Act in 1832 which put an end to the theft of bodies from cemeteries and legalised the supply of corpses to medical research.  Featuring two "ghosties" of the past, the night-watchman turned grave-robber, James "Satan" Sangster, and the poor unfortunate who was cut open on the anatomy table after students mistook his drunken state for actually being dead!! (NOT SUITABLE FOR UNDER 10s)

MEET: Outside Greyfriars' Church, Queen Street (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: Approx 2hrs
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow 

CASTLEGATE: THE BLACK KALENDAR
MONDAY 18 JUNE 2018

Returning for its second run, a disturbing insight into the horrors of the Castlegate in the 18th and 19th centuries via tales of Aberdeen's court record, aka "The Black Kalendar"; including the bloody execution of John Gordon, middle son of the Duke of Huntly, the bizarre Frankenstein-style experiment carried out on the body of killer, George Thom, and the brutal slaying of Alexander Seaton outside Pitfodels Lodging, now the court annexe! Further details here.  Not suitable for under 10s.  

Come early for your supper to our start point, Old Blackfriars and present your ticket to get 25% off your food order! (Applies to ticketholders ONLY, must be mentioned while ordering)

MEET: Downstairs bar, Old Blackfriars, Castlegate (from 15min before start) (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: Approx 2hrs
TICKETS: Click HEREto book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow 

OLD ABERDEEN HISTORICAL SECRETS: MINI TOUR
TUESDAY 26 JUNE 2018

First chance in June to enjoy our whistle-stop tour of Old Aberdeen's Kings College Campus and some of its hidden gems including the Snow Kirk and the colourful coats of arms displayed on the exterior of Kings' Chapel.  A suitable introduction to the university's history for prospective students, so do try it out! All mini tours are at the special price of £5 each. Tour description HERE.

MEET: Outside Elphinstone Hall, Regent Walk/ Kings Lawn (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: Approx 1hr
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow 

THE WAY OF THE ASH TREE - ABERDEEN'S OLDEST STREET
WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2018

Revamped for 2018 and now including Marischal Square's dubious modern development! Netherkirkgate is Aberdeen's earliest recorded street, mentioned in a land grant of 1212AD, as "Vicus Franxini" - Ash Tree Way.  We begin near the site of St Thomas's almshouse and make our way along what is left of this ancient route, including St Nicholas Kirk, the site of the Wallace Tower, and the reviving of the Guestrow, which is all but gone, apart from Provost Skene's House, one of only two medieval buildings left in the city.  Full details can be found here.

MEET: Outside Prince of Wales pub, St Nicholas Lane (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: Approx 2hrs
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

CASTLEGATE'S HISTORIC PAST: MINI TOUR
TUESDAY 26 JUNE

A whirlwind tour of Castlegate's Georgian, Victorian and medieval past including the Mercat Cross, Peacock's Court, the Salvation Army Citadel and the tale of Aberdeen's vanished castle.  Ends near Old Blackfriars pub where you can get 25% off your food order by presenting your ticket.  Pop in for either a late or early supper! More details here. 

MEET: Mercat Cross, Castlegate (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: Approx 1hr
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

SUFFRAGETTES & OTHER LOCAL QUINES
WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE 2018

A revamped version of our women's history walk which now features the "Suffragette Spirit" mosaics of Nuart 2018 artist, Carrie Reichardt.  Celebrating the women who made a difference to Aberdeen, including Caroline Phillips, journalist and secretary of the local Women's Social & Political Union; Dr Mary Esslemont, GP and pioneer in the British medical profession; Rachel Annand Taylor, poet and teacher who struggled with a mentally-ill husband; and Mary Webb, the little known pianist from Leamington Spa who wrote what became Aberdeen's most famous football anthem - the Northern Lights of Aberdeen.  Many, many more will also get a shout-out in this roll-call of fantastic local (and not so local) quines.

MEET: Outside Fierce Bar, Exchange Street (across from Grosvenor Casino) (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: approx 2hrs 
ENDS: Golden Square
TICKETS: Click HERE  to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

LOST LOCHLANDS: HISTORIC GEORGE STREET AND ITS ENVIRONS
THURSDAY 28 JUNE 2018

Aberdeen's once popular shopping street sat atop the medieval Loch of Aberdeen, thus there is much history to be revealed in this small area including the old Soup Kitchen, St Paul's Episcopal Kirk, the NORCO headquarters, "Soapy" Ogston's Candle & Soap Factory; George Street's three lost cinemas, the Grandie, the Central and the Kings, all demolished, and of course, those shops we love and miss so much, like the Rubber Shop and Maxwell's.  A nostalgic wander through the Lochlands, transformed by development, but never to be entirely forgotten.

MEET: Outside John Lewis, George Street (MAP)
STARTS: 7.30pm
DURATION: approx 2hrs 
ENDS: Loch St nr Balaclava Bar
TICKETS: Click HERE to book or, in person at Visit Scotland's iCentre, Shiprow

more dates will be added very soon!

Please note, if dates are not shown it means there are no tours planned yet for those dates or they are free for private bookings.