Aberdeen City Food Tour

We kick things off where the city meets the sea — at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum overlooking the bustling harbour. Here, we delve into the city’s deep fishing heritage, shipbuilding past, and maritime trade. It’s a chance to imagine Aberdeen’s historic shoreline lined with smokehouses, fish markets, and granaries. Enjoy a classic Aberdonian “rowie” — or buttery — with a smear of marmalade. These salty, flaky treats are part of the region’s coastal identity, once a staple for fishermen needing a hardy bite at sea.

Once the heart of medieval Aberdeen, The Green tells stories of bustling trade, women brewsters, and brewing traditions that stretch back centuries. Before industrialisation, brewing was a domestic skill, and many women earned a living crafting small-batch ales. We explore the area’s transformation, from the old market to today's creative corner, featuring bold NuArt murals. While we don’t taste beer just yet, you’ll start to see how deeply rooted brewing is in the city’s culture.

In the shadow of the Wallace Monument and above what was once a lively stream powering Aberdeen’s early mills, we pause to raise a toast — not with whisky, but with Scotland’s other national drink: Irn-Bru! We reflect on William Wallace, the vanished mills of Denburn, and the city's connection to the textile and grain trades. Around us are layers of architectural history — the striking Triple Kirks spire, St. Mark’s Church, the grand His Majesty’s Theatre, and the Central Library — all part of the Victorian vision of the city.

Standing before the gleaming granite façade of Marischal College, we turn to Scotland’s favourite grain — oats. From porridge to bannocks, oatcakes to crowdie cheese pairings, oats have fuelled Scots for centuries. We enjoy a taste of local oatcakes and cheese, while hearing how Robert the Bruce supported Aberdeen in times of conflict — and how the city gave back. If the moment feels right, we may share a reading of Sheena Blackhall’s witty "How to Make an Aberdonian" — a poetic celebration of local character and food.

In the historic Castlegate, where the Mercat Cross once marked the centre of trade and proclamation, we explore Aberdeen’s market culture. For centuries, this was the place to buy, sell, and celebrate — from weekly markets to royal visits. Now it’s time to enjoy a locally brewed beer, a nod to both the area’s trading past and today’s growing craft beer scene. It's also a chance to highlight Aberdeenshire’s legacy in brewing and distilling — from traditional farm ales to the global success of names like Chivas Brothers.

We finish at one of Aberdeen’s oldest surviving townhouses — Provost Skene’s House. This museum tells stories of Aberdonians who shaped the world. Nearby, Guest Row and Ragg’s Lane once buzzed with bakers and local shops feeding the city centre. We wrap up the tour with a scoop of Mackie’s ice cream — a creamy, locally made treat from Aberdeenshire dairy farms. A sweet way to end our journey through Aberdeen’s flavours, past and present.