Aberdeen is a truly unique city. Its architecture is defined by the granite that gives it its nickname, and the culture of the place is very much wrapped up in the city’s long maritime history. Here is Quingo Scooters’ guide to Aberdeen, the hidden jewel of the north east of Scotland.
Enjoy the unique architecture of St Machar’s Cathedral
If there is one thing you’ll notice when you head to Aberdeen (apart from the wind), it’s the city’s stunning buildings. The city is largely built out of granite, and one of the most impressive buildings is the ancient St Machar’s Cathedral. The first Norman cathedral was built on this site in 1131, and the building’s stunning stained glass windows and fortified frontage are well worth a look. The walls do contain a dark secret though – when William Wallace (of Braveheart fame) was hanged, drawn and quartered, one part of him was buried in the walls.
There is no accessible toilet (you’ll have to use the one at The Hub in St Machar’s Drive nearby), but other than that there is level access via automatic doors into this medieval building. Once you’re inside there is access throughout, with the exception of the gallery. The cathedral doesn’t have its own car park, but there are often spaces next to the churchyard itself.
Have a peaceful moment in Johnson Gardens
If the dark drama of St Machar’s is all too much then we recommend spending a few hours among the colourful blooms of the Japanese themed Johnson Gardens. It’s been part of Aberdeen’s daily life since the thirties and it is a wonderful place to come and enjoy some natural peace and quiet in the heart of the city. It’s especially beautiful at the moment as the spring flowers come into bloom. There is relatively level access throughout the gardens, but look out for a few steep slopes. The paths are a mix of tarmac, cobbles, and some chipping. It has its own car park, but no designated Blue Badge holder spaces.
Soak up some of Aberdeen’s maritime heritage
Of course the sea is an ever present influence in Aberdeen, and there are few better places to get a sense of this history than the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. It is a fascinating way to learn more about this city’s long and often dramatic relationship with the sea, and includes collections that cover everything from ship building to fishing and of course, the oil and gas industry. It is also almost fully accessible to those of us using a mobility scooter, with ramps and lifts throughout. It doesn’t have its own parking, but there are designated Blue Badge spaces at the Shiprow NCP car park nearby
Get hands on with history and culture at Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Aberdeen’s main art gallery is currently closed for a huge refurbishment, but many of its treasures are on display at the Aberdeen Treasure Hub. This unique place is where the city stores many of its collections when they are not on display in the city museums and galleries, and is a fascinating opportunity to see everything from objects that are a part of the city’s maritime history through to some of its most famous paintings. It is only open on Wednesdays and Thursdays but it is well worth making the time to visit this fascinating (and fully accessible) experience. You will need to book in advance though, so just give the team a call on 0 3000 200 293 to arrange your visit.
Eating out in Aberdeen
There are plenty of great places to eat out in Aberdeen, and if you are looking for something cheap and cheerful then you can’t do much better than Jo Jo’s Coffee Shop. It’s fully accessible and just a fantastically friendly place to enjoy lunch (and we also recommend their afternoon tea). If you’re after something a bit more up market then head to the No 1 Bar & Grill on Queen’s Terrace. It’s still pretty informal but they serve a great range of modern Scottish dishes (think lots of fresh fish and steak) and it’s level and accessible too.
About Quingo Scooters
The Quingo Scooter range features six models to suit your needs and budget. New models are now available from just £22/week on our new contract hire scheme which includes all servicing and maintenance, Insurance, Roadside Recovery, Call Outs and Consumables including Batteries and Tyres. For more information on this or the latest Quingo Scooter range, please visit our website. Alternatively, if you have any Service questions you can always contact us or call customer services on 01582 430 900.
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All Quingo Personal Mobility Vehicles are provided by Forever Active, the UK’s exclusive distributor. Forever Active is a trading name of Advantage Marketing Corporation Limited (AMC). AMC Limited is an appointed representative of First Senior Insurance Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. First Senior Insurance Services FSA Register number is 30847
