500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Highlights
- Discover Aberdeen's dark history of crime and punishment
- Explore major landmarks and learn their chilling stories
- Experience a self-guided tour with the freedom to pause
- Learn about the fascinating world of bodysnatchers and witches
- Immerse yourself in the hipster enclave of The Green
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Self-guided audio tour
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Duration 45 min to 2 hr 15 min
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Offline access to audio and maps
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Lifetime access in English
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Total walking distance 3 km
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Starts outside Tolbooth Museum
Experience the dark and intriguing history of Aberdeen with the 500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour. From bodysnatching to witchcraft, this immersive tour will transport you back in time as you explore the city's landmarks and learn about its darkest chapters. With the freedom of an audio guide, you can start, pause, or restart the tour at your own pace, allowing you to soak up every fascinating detail. Follow the GPS audio cues on your smartphone and let Scot Free Tours guide you through the city's history of baffling and unjust laws. Discover the chilling stories behind Aberdeen's gaol, the Mercat Cross, and the Anatomy Rooms, among other important locations. This 3km walking tour takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, but you can pause anytime to truly absorb the atmosphere. Don't miss the chance to uncover Aberdeen's secrets and immerse yourself in its rich history of crime and punishment.
At a Glance
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Free cancellation
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45 minutes
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Instant Confirmation
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Available in English
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Mobile voucher
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Private Tour
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Family friendly
Featured Reviews
Explore 500 years of crime in Aberdeen with a self-guided audio tour, uncovering dark stories at your own pace while visiting iconic landmarks.
Included
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Lifetime access to this tour in English
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Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
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VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
Excluded
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Transportation
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Smartphone and headphones
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Food and drink
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Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
Meeting Point
Start outside the Tolbooth Museum on Union Street. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.
Castle St, Aberdeen AB11 5BB , United Kingdom
End Point
This tour ends outside the Aberdeen Town House a few metres from the start location and within easy access to public transport.
Union St, Aberdeen AB11 5BU , United Kingdom
What to expect
Now a museum, this used to be the gaol, where criminals in Aberdeen were kept. We’ll point out where public hangings used to take place as we start off our tour on crime and punishment in Aberdeen.
Castlegate
The Mercat Cross is where public announcements would be made – and public punishment would be handed out. The structure is decorated with carvings of Scottish monarchs and we’ll be focusing on the story of one queen and how she dealt with an outbreak of treason.
Salvation Army Citadel
The tower of this impressive building is modelled on the one at Balmoral Castle. We’ll pass by it on the tour and it makes a great photo stop.
We’ll pass through Seabury Court next to St Andrew’s Cathedral to give you a sense of the winding streets Aberdeen used to have.
Marischal College
This used to be part of the University of Aberdeen and was traditionally where medical students would study. We’ll take you round the back to the Anatomy Rooms where dissections would take place and tell you all about Aberdeen’s relationship with bodysnatchers.
An atmospheric graveyard, filled with lots of history. We’ll point out the grave of one doctor whose morals left a lot to be desired. You'll also see the ‘mither kirk’ of Aberdeen, which used to be the centre of early Aberdeen. Learn about horrible church punishments and how witches were imprisoned.
The Grn
People have been living in The Green for thousands of years – but don’t make the mistake of thinking that makes it old fashioned. It’s a small hipster enclave in Aberdeen with lots of street art and independent restaurants and shops. Here you will hear stories of the child-snatching gang that used to operate in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Harbour
Aberdeen grew up around its harbour - so it only makes sense that over the years it has been used for some particularly unpleasant punishments.
The Maritime Museum is a delightful little museum that helps you get to grips with Aberdeen’s maritime past, from fishing to the oil industry. We pass it on our tour and there is a chance to go in and explore for yourselves.
Aberdeen
This self-guided audio tour takes place in Aberdeen.
The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.
Additional Information
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Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Service animals allowed
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What our experts say
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Download VoiceMap app before arrival
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Stop by The Coffee House for a snack
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Explore nearby Marischal College
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Take public transport to reach start easily
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Pause the tour to capture great photos
More About this Experience
Introduction
500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour is an immersive experience that takes you on a fascinating journey through Aberdeen's dark and intriguing past. On this tour, you'll explore the city's major landmarks while delving into the gripping stories of crime and punishment that unfolded over the last five centuries. From notorious bodysnatchers to witchcraft trials and unjust laws, this audio tour offers a unique perspective on the city's history.What to expect?
During the 45 to 135-minute adventure, you can anticipate an enthralling exploration of Aberdeen's hidden secrets. With the help of your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, the tour will play audio automatically, guiding you to the exact locations where historic events occurred. You'll witness iconic sites like Marischal College and the Mercat Cross, while immersing yourself in the gripping narratives of crime and punishment that took place there. This self-guided tour allows you to set your own pace, pause whenever you like, and resume at your convenience.Who is this for?
This self-guided audio tour is perfect for history enthusiasts and curious explorers alike. Whether you're a local looking to uncover hidden tales or a visitor eager to immerse yourself in Aberdeen's rich history, this tour is designed to captivate and educate. It's an ideal activity for individuals, couples, friends, or families with older children who appreciate historical stories filled with suspense, intrigue, and a touch of the macabre. Don't miss this opportunity to discover Aberdeen's fascinating past in a unique and immersive way.Why book this?
Unleash your inner detective and embark on a thrilling journey through the darker side of Aberdeen's history. This self-guided audio tour provides the freedom to explore at your own pace, offering a truly personalized experience. With the VoiceMap mobile app, you'll be transported back in time as the audio narratives unfold precisely where they happened. The engaging storytelling, combined with the city's iconic landmarks, creates an immersive adventure unlike any other. This tour allows you to unlock the secrets of Aberdeen's past and gain a deeper understanding of its culture, traditions, and the resilience of its people.Good to know
Before embarking on the tour, make sure to download the VoiceMap mobile app and enter the provided code in advance. The self-guided audio tour starts outside the Tolbooth Museum on Union Street, easily accessible via public transportation. The tour covers a total walking distance of 3km, taking approximately 45 minutes without stopping. However, feel free to pause or take your time exploring each location. Remember to bring your smartphone and headphones to fully enjoy the immersive audio experience. Get ready to uncover the secrets of Aberdeen's intriguing past in a way that fits your schedule and interests.Reviews
Previous participants rave about their engaging and immersive experience on the 500 Years of Crime and Punishment audio tour. They commend the audio narratives, which bring the stories to life, and appreciate the ability to explore at their own pace. Travelers particularly enjoyed visiting the iconic landmarks and learning about the fascinating and often unseen history of Aberdeen. Many rate this self-guided tour with five stars, calling it an exceptional way to learn about the city's past, all while feeling like a true adventurer. Don't miss out on this captivating journey through time.This is a popular product and the date you are looking for just sold out. Next available date is