The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk

If you’re a history buff or simply curious about the hidden stories cities hold, the Dark Side of Aberdeen tour offers a fascinating peek into the city’s darker chapters. This self-guided audio walk takes you through some of Aberdeen’s less polished, more intriguing stories—piracy, slavery, and insurrection—that often go unnoticed in the typical sightseeing circuit. It’s a chance to explore at your own pace, with crisp narration guiding you from one historical site to another.

What we love about this experience is its balance of affordable price and engaging storytelling. At just $8.99, it’s a wallet-friendly way to spend an hour or so uncovering the city’s hidden past. Plus, the fact that it’s self-guided means you don’t need to worry about schedules or large groups—perfect for those who prefer to walk at their own speed. However, one thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t include any entrance fees, so if you want to visit the museums or specific attractions along the way, you’ll need to buy those tickets separately.

This tour is particularly suited for history enthusiasts, curious travelers, or anyone interested in a more unvarnished view of Aberdeen. It’s also great if you enjoy walking and exploring cities with a sense of discovery rather than a structured tour bus. If you’re traveling with kids or looking for family-friendly activities, keep in mind that the content is quite mature, dealing with darker themes.

Key Points

• Cost-effective at $8.99 per person, offering good value for a self-guided experience.
• Flexible schedule; start and stop anytime, with audio playing automatically via GPS.
• Rich storytelling delivered by professional narration, making history engaging and accessible.
• Includes offline access, so no need for a data connection during your walk.
• Approximate duration of 30-40 minutes makes it a manageable outing.
• Highlights historic sites like Marischal College, Provost Ross’ House, and the Green, with stories that add depth to your understanding of Aberdeen.

The Itinerary and What You Can Expect

Starting Point: Mercat Cross

Your journey begins at the Mercat Cross, right near the Tourist Office, a central and accessible spot. From here, the tour takes you through the streets of Aberdeen, weaving in and out of the city’s past. Most of the walk covers about 1.5 km, which is a comfortable pace to take in the stories and sights without feeling rushed.

Stop 1: Marischal College

The grand finale of the walk offers a dramatic view of Marischal College, a striking building that’s both historic and modern. The narration here is engaging, giving context to the architecture and its significance in Aberdeen’s story.

Stops Along the Route

• Aberdeen Maritime Museum: Inside, you’ll find exhibits on the city’s relationship with the sea, focusing on fishing, shipbuilding, and oil industries. It’s a good place to get a visual sense of Aberdeen’s maritime heritage, even if you don’t go inside (tickets are not included).
• Provost Ross’ House: Built in 1593, this is the second-oldest building in the city. The house offers a glimpse into early 18th-century life, with views over the harbor that hint at Aberdeen’s shipping past.
• The Green: Historically a busy market square, this spot remains lively today, surrounded by bars and restaurants—ideal for a quick refreshment or some photos.
• Sir George Skene’s House: A historic residence with period furnishings and collections of coins and local artifacts, giving insight into the city’s civic history.
• Marischal Square: This modern development combines old and new, housing shops, a hotel, and the famous Mackie’s ice cream parlour—a fun contrast to the historic sites.

What Makes it Special

The narration is crisp and well-produced, making it easy to follow along without feeling like you’re missing out. Many reviews praise the knowledgeable guides and the quality of the audio, which adds a layer of professionalism not always found in self-guided tours.

Practical Considerations

Price and Value

At $8.99, this tour is a smart pick for budget-conscious travelers. It offers a self-paced exploration of some of Aberdeen’s darker stories without the cost or scheduling constraints of a guided group. For the price, you get a rundown of sites that might otherwise require a lot of research or multiple visits.

Duration and Flexibility

With an estimated 30-40 minutes of narration, most people can complete it comfortably during a quick afternoon walk. The flexibility to pause and resume means you can fit it into your schedule—perhaps combining it with a meal or a visit to a nearby café.

Offline Access

The tour’s offline feature is a real plus, especially if you’re trying to avoid roaming charges or don’t have reliable internet. You can listen without an internet connection once downloaded, making it practical whether you’re in the city or on the move.

Group Size and Accessibility

Limited to a maximum of 10 travelers, the experience feels personalized. It’s accessible for most travelers, with service animals allowed and proximity to public transportation. The tour’s format makes it suitable for individuals, couples, or small groups.

Authentic Feedback from Tour Participants

Reviewers consistently mention how informative and tech-savvy the tour is. One reviewer shared, “Great tech which allows you to not be rushed and do your at a convenient time,” highlighting the flexibility that self-guided tours offer. Another noted how they “learnt a lot” despite being a lifelong resident of Aberdeen, demonstrating that this tour provides fresh insights, even for locals.

Several also appreciated the unsanitized, honest portrayal of Aberdeen’s history, with one saying, “It was so refreshing to hear an unvarnished view of Aberdeen history.” And if you’re doing the tour at night, as some reviewers did, you might find certain sites less accessible but equally atmospheric.

Who Is This Tour Best For?

This experience is ideal for history enthusiasts, curious explorers, or those who love walking through cities with a story behind every corner. The affordable price, combined with the ability to control your pace, makes it perfect for travelers who want a flexible, engaging way to learn about Aberdeen’s darker past. It’s also well-suited for people who prefer audio-guided experiences over large group tours, especially if they’re traveling solo or in small groups.

However, if you’re looking for a family-friendly, light-hearted sightseeing activity, this might not be the best fit. The themes are quite mature, and the focus on piracy, slavery, and insurrection might not suit young children.

The Sum Up

All in all, the Dark Side of Aberdeen self-guided audio walk provides an affordable, insightful, and flexible way to explore the city’s lesser-known stories. It shines in its storytelling quality and ease of use, making it a worthwhile addition to your Aberdeen trip if you enjoy uncovering the city’s hidden or darker history.

Travelers who appreciate self-paced exploration, well-produced narration, and a focus on authentic, sometimes gritty history will find this tour engaging and thought-provoking. It’s best suited for those who want to combine light exercise with historical learning, especially if they’re interested in stories of piracy, slavery, and social upheaval that shaped Aberdeen.

If you’re okay with paying a modest fee for a self-guided experience that you can start anytime and pause whenever you like, then this tour is definitely worth considering. Just remember to bring your smartphone fully charged, and be prepared for some walking through the streets of Aberdeen to piece together its intriguing past.

FAQs

Do I need a network connection to do the tour?
No, the VoiceMap app works offline once you’ve downloaded the tour, so you can explore without worrying about internet access.

How long does the tour take?
The narrated part of the tour lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, but you can take longer if you pause and explore the sites or walk at a leisurely pace.

Are tickets to museums or attractions included?
No, the tour covers external sites and stories; entrance fees for any museums or attractions are not included and would need to be purchased separately.

Is the tour suitable for children?
While the narration is suitable for all ages, the themes discussed are quite mature—piracy, slavery, and insurrection—so parental discretion is advised.

Can I do the tour at night?
Yes, some reviewers have done the tour at night, which adds a different atmosphere, though access to some sites may be limited depending on opening hours.

What’s the starting point?
You start at the Mercat Cross on Castle Street, near the Tourist Office, a central and easy-to-find location.

Overall, if you’re after a unique way to uncover Aberdeen’s shadowy stories at your own pace, this audio walk is a solid choice—informative, flexible, and surprisingly engaging for such a modest price.