New tourist trails have been launched to encourage visitors to discover some of Aberdeen’s most popular sights and its hidden secrets.
A series of seven train guides of Aberdeen and two maps of popular hills aim to show visitors the historical and natural gems around the city.
Tourism is becoming an increasingly important industry for the Granite City as the region diversifies away from the traditionally dominant oil and gas industries.
Produced by the city council, the designs include routes around the Aberdeen coast, people and places , sculptures and curios, boundary stones, the city’s granite, Old Aberdeen Trail and maritime links.
The maps are for Kincorth Hill, known locally as the Gramps, and Brimmond Hill, and feature the local landscape as well as historical features and nature.
Pointers are given on where to see dolphins from the shore, the Andy Scott sculpture Poised, stones marking the boundary of the ancient city, the historic village-within-the-city of Footdee and the iconic Granite Mile of Union Street.
Lord Provost Barney Crockett said: “These trail guides are a fantastic way for both people who live locally and visitors to find out about our beautiful city.
“We have an abundance of history, nature, and stunning buildings for people to discover in a city which is very walkable, so it’s great these trail guides have been produced.
“We want to encourage people to get out and walk or cycle around Aberdeen and hope these trail guides help folk to get out there and learn what’s in the city.”
The trail guides and maps are available through the links www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/trails.
Limited numbers of paper versions will be available at Marischal College, the Town House on Queen Street, the tourist information centre on Union Street and at hotels and other locations.
Chris Foy, chief executive of VisitAberdeenshire, said: “These seven new trails will add an extra dimension to any visit to Aberdeen, encouraging visitors and locals alike to get out and about to explore the city’s natural and built heritage all year round.”
Several additional trail guides are planned for this year including a city centre nature trail, an architecture trail and street art trail.
