Best Landmarks near Old Aberdeen

St Machar's Cathedral in Old Aberdeen is a historic fortified kirk with origins dating back to around 580 AD. Named after the Celtic Saint Machar, the site evolved from an early place of worship into a grand medieval cathedral by the 15th century. Though no longer a bishop’s seat since 1690, it remains a striking example of Scottish Gothic architecture, famed for its heraldic ceiling, twin western towers, and rich ecclesiastical history.

The Kirk of St. Nicholas Colonnade in Aberdeen is a historic architectural feature completed in 1829, designed to separate the Kirkyard from Union Street. Featuring a central archway flanked by elegant double Ionic columns, it stands as a distinguished example of early 19th-century neoclassical design, marking the entrance to the grounds of the ancient Kirk of St. Nicholas, the city’s original parish church dating back to the 12th century.