Enjoy an unforgettable and unique tour of Aberdeen with a friendly personal guide from ToursByLocals. Discover its rich history and picturesque coastline with a passionate private guide eager to share their city with you.

As you stroll down Union Street you'll soon realise why it is called "The Granite City" from the architecture. No sooner can you be in the bustling city soaking it all in than on Aberdeen Beach, only a short journey away.

Bullers of Buchan is not to be missed with stunning clifftop views and local wildlife including puffins!

With over 260 castles in Aberdeen, Slains Castle was built in the 16th Century and said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.   A visit to Glen Garioch Distillery for a wee dram is a must, where they have been producing whisky since 1797.

With much to explore feel free to suggest to your own ToursByLocals guide alternative places and activities. Your personal guide is happy to make changes so it is a truly tailored experience.

Aberdeen-Scotland

Half Day Aberdeen Castle and Historic Area Private Tour

Enjoy a fascinating tour of the historical areas of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with a local guide.

Aberdeen and Shire contain many beautiful and fascinating buildings and Castles. We will go well beyond the surface and discover nearly 1000+ captivating years and I will share with you stories of times gone by whilst we marvel at amazing sites.

In Old Aberdeen, we explore the buildings of the 15th Century University, a 12th Century Cathedral with an amazing heraldic ceiling and a dark secret. After we leave the city we wil visit Dunnottar Castle, one of the world's most iconic, impregnably built on a sheer headland. In Royal Deeside we visit Drum Castle, a stunning 13th Century Castle dating back to Robert The Bruce, and also Crathes Castle, a 16th Century masterpiece.

All tours can be tailored to suit. Some attractions are subject to seasonal openings. Please contact us for details.

Please note at Dunnottar there is a gentle slope from carpark to see it, but to go inside there is a long staircase.

Kings College and Chapel, original site of Aberdeen University dating from the 15th Century

St Machar's Cathedral, a site of worship dating back to the 12th Century

Kings Chapel, dating from the 15th Century

Kings College Chapel, dating from the 15th Century

Robert The Bruce Statue outside Marischal College

Highlights of Historical Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Coastline, Castles and Caves Full Day Tour

Visit our castles on the coastline which lie mostly forgotten about. Sitting high up on precarious ledges over looking the sea.

I started doing this tour because it has inspired authors and poets for many years, which bring a sense of awe to those who care to come and share the experience with me.

We look down into sunken caves where the sea allowed smugglers to drop their ill gotten gains under the cloak of darkness. Venture into some caves (tide's allowing) and hear the pounding sea upon the "door".

The picturesque village of Pennan, which hugs the sea below steep cliffs is a great way to finish off our coastal adventure.

2 course Seafood lunch at Saphlingbrae Hotel

Discover the County's Forgotten Castles and Smugglers Dens

Royal Deeside and Balmoral castle shore excursion

Today's private tour will take us into Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside, an area west of Aberdeen, around the River Dee and more precisely between the beautiful villages of Banchory and Braemar, which are 40 miles apart. A large part of the Royal Deeside overlaps the Cairngorms National Park, which is the largest one in the UK in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
When it's open, we can visit Balmoral Castle and estate ( this is seasonal ). The estate and its original castle were bought from the Farquharson family in 1852 by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. Soon afterwards the house was found to be too small and the current Balmoral Castle was commissioned. The architect was William Smith of Aberdeen, and his designs were amended by Prince Albert. Balmoral remains the private property of the monarch and is not part of the Crown Estate. When the Castle is not open, the options are Dunnottar Castle, and Forest, Crathes Castle and Banchory.
Tours are completely customisable to suit your needs.

Crathie Kirk ( this is where the royals go to church )

Royal Deeside full day tour with private transportation

Scotland is proudly home to the world's finest Whisky, and I offer a private tour to the best distilleries. We normally visit 2 or 3 depending on opening times, length of tasting tour, pick up location and availability.

Distilleries are part of Scottish heritage and culture, and you will learn the secrets of how the famous drink is crafted and have the opportunity to sample the beautiful offerings.

Most distilleries are located in stunning settings and are very much intertwined with the local history and there is an option to visit a castle as well.

I can recommend which distilleries to visit and you know you can sit back and relax and let me do the driving, knowing that everything has been organized for you.

Some of the most popular are Macallan, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Aberlour, Glenfarclas, Ballindalloch and Glenallachie. but you can choose, if a certain Whisky is your passion.

Please note the actual guided tasting distillery tours require separate payment (invoiced via PayPal).

Bespoke tour to some of Scotland's best distilleries

Full Day Private Whisky Tour plus optional Castle from Aberdeen

Whisky Story - Behind the Bottle Full Day Tour

The purpose of this tour is to delve behind the scenes of where Scotland's National drink comes from.

Depart Aberdeen on the coast and drive through the countryside to visit a farm where malt barley is produced. Enjoy the farmhouse fayre with a "fly cup" traditional mid morning coffee and buttery.

Move on to Knock distillery, to see how a very small whisky making operation works behind the scenes. No gift shop but you can purchase a bottle or two of anCnoc whisky. Finish off the visit with lunch, using local produce round the kitchen table at the distillery.

Visit an 'Aladdin's cave' of whisky at The Spirits Embassy in Huntly. Here we find a unique range of hand-selected whisky and other premium spirits and liqueurs.

Picnic lunch in the distillery boardroom with a dram.

Three cheers at Balmoral when Harry and Meghan were married

Malt Barley Farm and Small Distillery with Transportation

Enjoy a fascinating walking tour of the historical areas of Old Aberdeen with a local guide.

Aberdeen contains many beautiful buildings, built from local granite which sparkles in the sunlight, but we will go well beyond the surface and discover nearly 1000+ captivating years and I will share with you stories of times gone by.

In Old Aberdeen, we explore the buildings of the 15th Century University, a 12th Century Cathedral with an amazing heraldic ceiling and a dark secret, a secret graveyard very few locals know about, and many other interesting sites and beautiful, preserved buildings.

Some attractions are subject to seasonal openings. Please contact us for details.

Highlights of Historical Old Aberdeen and its Dark Secrets

Aberdeen Private Walking Tour

Half Day Aberdeen City Limits - No Limits Tour!

Drive in luxury to see Aberdeen University, Kings College Chapel and St Machar's Cathedral in the Old Town.

Relax as we drive along the beach (1 mile long) to visit the old fishing village of Footdee, or Fittie as it is known locally, at the harbour mouth. Stop for a coffee and waffles or if you prefer a rowie (local morning roll) at Mackie's 19. 2 Ice cream parlour in Marischal Square.

Enjoy hearing the stories of the city as we walk to Aberdeen's oldest building, Provest Skene's House, the tales behind the statues and the principle buildings. All this before a walk trough St Nicholas graveyard to The Prince of Wales Pub for a traditional Scottish pub lunch.

The archway at the University of Aberdeen

Union Terrace Gardens with His Majesty's Theatre behind.

Dressed up at Aberdeen Incorporated Trades Centre.

Old Aberdeen, Footdee Heritage Fishing Village and the City Centre

Aberdeen & Shire Castle & Distillery Private Group one Day Tour

Enjoy a fascinating tour of the historical areas of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and a Distillery visit, all with a local guide.
Aberdeen and Shire contains many beautiful and fascinating buildings and Castles. We will go well beyond the surface and discover nearly 1000+ captivating years and I will share with you stories of times gone by whilst we marvel at amazing sites. We also visit a superb Distillery for a tasting tour (included in cost).

In Old Aberdeen we explore the buildings of the 15th Century University, a 12th Century Cathedral. Dunnottar Castle, is one of the world's most iconic, impregnably built on a sheer headland. In Royal Deeside we visit castles dating back to Robert the Bruce.

There is also the option to visit Balmoral Castle which may change the itinerary. Please contact us for opening dates.

All tours can be tailored to suit. Some attractions are subject to seasonal opening. Please contact us for details.

Highlights of Historical Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and a Distillery Visit

An amazing day out to see some of the most famous and iconic castles in Scotland (There are many castles in Aberdeenshire). We pick you up/drop you off at your Aberdeen Hotel/Train Station/Port.

This is a private tour for your party only.

The route and itinerary can be changed to suit. Please advise us of any required changes.

Please contact us for details of castle opening dates. Balmoral Castle has extended its opening dates. Glamis is open Spring to Winter.

If you would like to visit a Whisky distillery instead of a castle, please let us know so can book the tasting tour. Advance booking is always required for a distillery.

Most castles grounds are free to access (except for Balmoral) but charge for internal tours. We recommend you per-purchase your tickets for Balmoral and Glamis Castle.

All attractions are subject to seasonal opening times. Please contact us for details.

Please note at Dunnottar Castle there is a gentle slope from carpark to see it, but to go inside, there is a long staircase.

An amazing day out to see some of the the most famous and iconic castles in Scotland.

Private Crathes Balmoral Glamis Dunnottar Castles Tour from Aberdeen. Distillery option.

Aberdeen & Shire Historic Area and Castles Private One Day Tour (Balmoral Castle Option).

Enjoy a fascinating tour of the historical areas of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The area contains many beautiful and fascinating buildings and Castles. We will go well beyond the surface and discover nearly 1000+ captivating years and I will share with you, stories of times gone by whilst we marvel at amazing sites. The itinerary can include Balmoral Castle and please contact us regards its opening times.

In Aberdeen the tour includes ancient architectural marvels of Old Aberdeen we explore the buildings of the 15thC University and a 12thC Cathedral. Dunnottar Castle, one of the world's most iconic, impregnably built on a sheer headland. On Royal Deeside we visit stunning castles dating back to Robert the Bruce.

When open, there is also the option to visit Balmoral Castle (which may change the itinerary).

All tours are private and can be tailored to suit. Attractions are subject to seasonal opening.

At Dunnottar there is a gentle slope from carpark to see it, but to go inside there is a long staircase.

Highlights of Historical Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with Balmoral Castle option.

Private Aberdeenshire Coastal Historic, Castle and Distillery Tour

Enjoy a fascinating tour of the historical areas of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and a Distillery visit.
Aberdeen and Shire contains many beautiful and fascinating buildings and Castles. We will go well beyond the surface and discover nearly 1000+ captivating years of history and we also visit a superb Distillery for a tasting tour.

Suggested itinerary: In Old Aberdeen we explore the buildings of the 15thC University, and a 12thC Cathedral. Dunnottar Castle, is one of the world's most iconic, impregnably built on a sheer headland. We visit Kinneff Old Church were the Honours of Scotland (a crown, sword and sceptre dating from the 15thC) were famously hidden after being smuggled out of Dunnottar.

After lunch we visit the Arbikie Distillery albeit relatively young, produces a fabulous range of Whiskies, Gins and Vodka and has a glorious location overlooking Lunan Bay.

All tours can be tailored to suit. Some attractions are subject to seasonal opening. Please contact us.

Aberdeen tours

Explore with 11 tours and 3 guides.

Malcolm D.

$ 439 (USD)

Alasdair B.

$ 1,093 (USD)

Csaba

$ 1,514 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 824 (USD)

Alasdair B.

$ 1,101 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 164 (USD)

Alasdair B.

$ 615 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 752 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 866 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 756 (USD)

Malcolm D.

$ 729 (USD)

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