Union Street is Aberdeen's best known thoroughfare. It's eastern end merges with Castle street where the Mercat Cross stands in a cobbled square. Head along King Street past the Arts Centre and glance left as you cross the busy junction. The hulking granite form of Greyfriars Church is impossible to miss. Continue on King Street and take a left into Merkland Road at the entrance to St Peter's Cemetery. Turn right on to Spital and keep going towards College Bounds into the university area and the heart of old Aberdeen Burgh. We pass the King's College Campus then follow High Street which ends at the old Town House. Cross straight over and take a road named The Chanonry. Drop into Cruickshank Botanic Garden on your left for a relaxing pause among beautiful flowers and shrubbery. Entrance is free.
Once rested, return to The Chanonry and explore the grounds of St Machar's Cathedral. Pass into Seaton Park and admire the gardens that form the enchanting Cathedral Walk. More information about things to see in the old town of Aberdeen can be found in this PDF. Bear left at the fountain to pick up the path alongside the River Don. Follow the meander round to Don Street with its charming old houses. Turn right before the bridge and re-join the riverside path. This ends at the busy A956. Cross straight over at the pedestrian lights and take the Esplanade. The walkway parallels the Don estuary and it's worth quickly scrambling up the sand dunes to take in the sea view. The path turns south at the river mouth and becomes a formal promenade by the beach. Look out for the famous ballroom as we reach the leisure area. Follow signs to Aberdeen Harbour which lies within the Dee estuary. General access is prohibited as but you can view the heavy duty shipping from behind the perimeter fence. Make your way back to Union Street, perhaps checking out the excellent Maritime Museum on Shiprow. No admission charge.
