Currently Unavailable

1-Day Semi-Private Tour Aberdeen City, Dunnottar Castle & Seals

Luke Tours

Select Option

Highlights

Visiting Aberdeen just once ? ... then join your charismatic kilted storyteller Luke Skye-Walker in a luxury vehicle on this 1-day semi-private tour of Aberdeen City and surrounding areas a visit to one of Scotlands most dramatic monuments, Dunnottar Castle.

Luke is Scotlands most reviewed tour guide with over 700 reviews in 2023 alone, his background in drone photography means you are also CERTAIN to take home the very best photos and videos with you.

You will visit a Maritime Museum, Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, The Tolbooth Museum, Newburgh Seals Beach and there's even time at the end of the tour for an intriguing mystery stop.

As you travel alongside the dramatic North Sea Aberdeenshire coastline, Luke will also immerse you in fascinating stories, historical narratives and a specially curated tour soundtrack.

So grab your boots, cameras and prepare for a more personal experience with Luke as we embark on an epic Aberdeen adventure.

About This Deal

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Union Terrace Gardens, Union Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1NN Scotland

We will start with coffee at the newly built £28.3m Union Terrace Gardens and then take a stroll which includes local information and photo opportunities of the William Wallace statue, His Majesty's Theatre and the Art Gallery before heading down to the Maritime Museum.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Aberdeen Maritime Museum, 52-56 Shiprow Provost Ross House, Aberdeen AB11 5BY Scotland

Your voyage of discovery starts here! Aberdeen being a coastal city has a rich maritime heritage. We will learn everything about Aberdeens long and often dramatic relationship with the sea, from the earliest days of trading, fishing and shipbuilding, to offshore energy and life in the oil industry, your voyage of discovery starts here!

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven AB39 2TL Scotland

We then head off to one of Scotlands most spectacular landmarks, Dunnottar Castle which is about a 25 minute drive south of the city.

In Gaelic, Dunnottar means "fort on the shelving slope”. Its located on a rocky headland with ruins dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, although its said to be the site of a fortification since the early middle ages.

Its strategic location on the North Sea means it played a prominent role even during the Jacobite risings of the 18th century, however its best known as the place where the Scottish crown jewels were hidden from Oliver Cromwells invading redcoats in the 17th century. It was opened to the public in the 20th century and is now one of the most photographed castles in Scotland due to its dramatic location on steep cliffs that drop 50 metres to the sea.

You will get the opportunity to visit the twelve listed buildings that remain here, as well as access the beaches and enjoy some short beautiful hikes around the cliff tops.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven AB39 2TL Scotland

I will also provide you with a drone photograph souvenir at this location (subject to weather conditions).

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Stonehaven Harbour, Old Pier, Stonehaven AB39 2JU Scotland

We then take a short drive to lunch at nearby Stonehaven Harbour, if you didn’t opt to bring a packed lunch with you don’t worry as there are plenty of options here including seafood, traditional and of course fish and chips, there is even a whisky bar if you’re wanting a wee dram.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Tolbooth Museum, Castle St, Aberdeen AB11 5BB Scotland

After heading back into Aberdeen we will visit the fascinating Tolbooth Museum which is located at Castle Street. As its name suggests, it was first established to collect tolls, however in the 17th century the building went on to be used as a prison and place of execution.

Exhibits explain local history and how punishment of crimes evolved over the centuries. Prison cells with their original doors and barred windows can all be accessed as well as the Tolbooths first guillotine, commissioned in the mid 16th century to execute convicted prisoners. Some of those included Jacobite prisoners as they awaited trial following the defeat at The Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The Tolbooth Museum is a real insight into imprisonment and the treatment of prisoners in times gone by. In 2009 the building was investigated for paranormal activity by the tv show Most Haunted.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Newburgh Seals Beach, Beach Road, Newburgh AB41 6BY Scotland

Nature lovers will love the next segment of the tour as we venture out towards the north of the city to one of the most prolific places in the UK for spotting marine wildlife.

The short hike to Newburgh Beach is home to a colony of around 400 seals, they live alongside the sandy estuary of the River Ythan very close to the beach and are happy to be seen going about their business and playing hide and seek in the water in front of delighted onlookers.

I will also bring my binoculars along for the trip because Newburgh Beach is also a hot spot for spotting whales and dolphins who are frequently seen in the North Sea close to the beach. Newburgh’s wide and beautifully sandy beach and with its surrounding dunes also makes for the perfect home for bird life with hundreds of species including the largest population of Eider Ducks in Europe.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

We then return to Aberdeen where if time and weather allows I will take you to a mystery location to end the tour with a dram of whisky close to the city centre, but whatever the weather brings on your tour there’s plenty to see and do and your sure to have a memorable time visiting me in my home city of Aberdeen ‘the Silver City’.

Duration: 1 hour

Additional Information

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Inclusions
  • Complimentary iPad and Wi-Fi
  • Bottled Water
  • Drone Souvenir Photograph
  • Dram of Whisky

Exclusions
  • Food and Drink
  • EUR 10.50 - Dunnottar Castle Admission Fee

Departure Point
Union Terrace Gardens, Union Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1NJ, UK

Departure Time
08:30 AM
Duration
9 hours 30 minutes
Return Details
Returns to original departure point

Voucher Info
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Luke Tours in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.

This offer is not eligible for promo codes.

Fine Print

14-day cancellation rights do not apply; no refunds or exchanges permitted. Voucher valid only for date and time listed; may not be exchanged or redeemed for other dates. Purchaser name and phone number must be provided at checkout; this information will be shared with Viator and the tour operator for purposes of order fulfillment. Groupon promo codes may not be used for this offer. Groupon voucher Terms of Sale do not apply. See the tour operator's terms and conditions for this offer here. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts.