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

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Explore the murkier corners of Aberdeen at your own pace with this highly acclaimed self guided audio walking tour of Aberdeen. Beginning from the Mercat Cross, you'll weave your way through hundreds of years of history while discovering the stories of piracy, slavery, and insurrection that the city hides in plain sight. Hear about "Indian Pete" and his efforts to banish child slavery. The tour is ready whenever you feel like taking a stroll. It plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. It does not need a network connection to work. If you've got an hour and want to see some of the grisly and gloomy corners that Aberdeen has to offer – this is the tour for you!

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

VoiceMap Application

Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Lifetime access to 'Dark Aberdeen: Piracy, Slavery and Insurrection' tour

Smartphone

Transportation

Food/drinks

Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

What To Expect

Marischal College

The tour takes you on a wandering walk beginning at the Mercat Cross, near the Tourist Office, and ending with a dramatic view of the city's crown jewel - Marischall College. Start the tour in the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let your guide direct you through the streets. The total walking distance is approximately 1.5km and takes about an hour without stopping, but you can pause anytime! Most people will opt to stop for a coffee or ice-cream snack or for photography opportunities along the way. The narration is crisply mastered by a professional audio engineering staff, and the tour creates an engaging experience that is suitable for all ages that can wear ear buds. Key landmarks include: • Mercat Cross (Market Cross) • Aberdeen Harbour • Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Provost Ross House • Marischal Square and Marischal College • Provost Skene's House The exact route can be seen upon downloading or viewing the tour. Audio from the tour can also be previewed at this site.

40 minutes • Admission Not Included

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum charts the close relationship between Aberdeen, its harbour and the sea. Inside there are fascinating exhibits from the fishing, ship building and oil industries.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

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

Reviews

3.90

21 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Very good loads of good...
Gail M,
Jul 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Very good loads of good information although some a little but outdated due to construction works. Overall really good
Some directions are...
Linda F,
Jul 3, 2025
- Viator
3.00
Some directions are outdated as new construction and street renovations are happening. Also, we were lost a couple of times as some descriptions were incomplete.
Not as Dark as Expected
Jason C,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
4.00
This audio tour works really well but it had less dark side stuff than I expected. Although the the slavery stuff was harrowing. The GPS trigger for audio worked great!
Great is of tech and highly informative.
John M,
Feb 22, 2023
- Viator
5.00
Have lived in Aberdeen all my life and still learnt a lot from the tour. Great tech which allows you to not be rushed and do your at convenient time. Looking forward to our next one.
Great way to explore the city found out lots of interesting facts and will definitely do it again with my partner
sophie w,
Oct 19, 2022
- Viator
5.00
Finding new places in Aberdeen that I've never seen before or didn't know anything about. Will definitely recommend