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St Machar Bar: Aberdeen pub’s busiest summer thanks to cruise ship tourists

"It's been fantastic to see people coming to our little traditional Scottish whisky bar.”

St Machar Bar owner Darren Murray enjoying an uptake in business thanks to cruise ship passengers. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson
St Machar Bar owner Darren Murray enjoying an uptake in business thanks to cruise ship passengers. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

The north-east hospitality sector has been hit with many blows over the past couple of years.

But one city publican says he’s had his busiest ever summer thanks to cruise ship tourists.

St Machar Bar owner Darren Murray struck a deal with one of the cruise companies to be involved in their walking tours round Old Aberdeen meaning he’s had hundreds of extra customers.

Hopes for more work with cruise companies

Darren, who took over the pub four years ago, said: “Originally it was going to be one tour every time the cruise ship visited for 20 to 35 people and it ended up being three tours a day with 40 people each tour.

Tourists have enjoyed their excursion to the St Machar Bar in Old Aberdeen. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

“Even outside of that there has been a noticeable difference in tourism. It’s been one of the busiest summers we’ve ever had.

“Even excluding the massive increase from the ship company there’s definitely still been more people.

“It’s been fantastic to see people coming to our little traditional Scottish whisky bar.

“People are really enjoying coming down and seeing some Scottish culture.”

‘Huge potential’ for the city

More than 30,000 tourists, from countries including Germany and USA, have already sampled the delights of Aberdeen this year bringing a much needed boost to businesses.

Aberdeen Whisky Shop owner Nick Sullivan has also seen an uptake in footfall.

He recently moved to larger premises which saw his shop increase by nearly three times and allowed for the creation of a whisky tasting area, with a bar for up to 30 people.

Aberdeen Whisky Shop owner Nick Sullivan has seen a rise in business due to cruise ship passengers visiting. Image: Heather Fowlie/DC Thomson

“From 10am to 12pm we do in-store sampling,” he said.

“It’s really nice to see positive energy coming in and people finding out what they can do in Aberdeen.

“We give out the samples and then can redirect them to the shop. It’s our way to share our love of Aberdeen.”

‘Huge potential’ for the city

Port of Aberdeen chief executive Bob Sanguinetti has described the cruise ship market as having “huge potential” for the city both now and in coming years.

In 2022 there were 21 cruise calls and this year the harbour welcomed 43 vessels.

Bob Sanguinetti sees huge potential in Aberdeen cruise market. Image: Wullie Marr / DC Thomson

Mr Sanguinetti said: “We’ve gone from welcoming around 3,000 cruise ship passengers a year pre-Covid, to more than 30,000 in 2023.

“There is huge potential to grow this market even further. We have bookings already in the diary as far out as 2026.”