8 must try activities in #beautifulABDN
18 April 2018
There is a reason they call our vast countryside and 165 miles of coastline the ‘great outdoors’. Check out these eight incredible and exhilarating activities you’ve just got to do when you visit Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
1. Learn to go with the flow
One of the wonderful things about being on the coast is that we have loads of watersports. Try out Stonehaven Paddleboarding where you can take paddleboarding tours along the coast to Dunnottar Castle and see it in a whole new perspective. Or further up the Aberdeenshire coast you also have the option of coastal rowing or dinghy sailing at Cullen Sea School or learn to surf at Surf and Water Sports Club Scotland in Banff.
For more inspiration on watersports to try in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire click here.
2. Travel to Alaska while you #visitABDN
Experience the thrill of mushing at Huskyhaven. Meet Iditarod musher Wattie McDonald and his elite team of Siberian Huskies who can guarantee you an experience you won’t forget. For the ultra adventurers embark on a twilight mushing experience.
3. See if you can hack it
Giddy up and explore the beautiful rolling countryside in the Cairngorm National Park (the UK’s largest national park) by horseback. Embrace your inner cowboy/girl and explore a side of the Cairngorms you don’t see by car with Glen Tanar Equestrian Centre. Or if you prefer something closer to the city check out Hayfield Riding Centre in Hazlehead Park.
4. Escape from reality
If you haven’t heard of them yet, escape rooms are the new phenomenon that is taking the world by storm. The highly addictive interactive puzzle games are great for getting the adrenaline rush and leave you feeling like Sherlock Holmes. Luckily for us we have two fantastic places to experience it for yourself: The Locked Door and Breakout Games both located in Aberdeen City Centre.
5. Soar above the clouds
Get a bird’s eye view of Royal Deeside and the Cairngorm Mountains with Deeside Gliding Club (renowned for being the foremost Wave soaring site in the UK). You can take to the sky with a fully trained instructor and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
6. Duck for cover
Play the role of the action hero as you takepart in the fastest growing sport in Europe (according to Delta Force Paintball). Paintball is a high-speed game where participants simulate military combat by trying to hit their opponents with a paintball. However, for those less inclined to get a couple of bruises you can also take part in Laser Tag at Battlegrounds Adventure Activities or Splatmaster at Bedlam Aberdeen.
7. Take aim
If you’re looking for something different, why not give knife or axe throwing a go? You’ll feel dauntless as you test your aim and hone your skills. This activity is growing in popularity and you can participate at Battlegrounds Adventure Activities and Deeside Activity Park. No hand-eye coordination? Why not take a shot with archery or crossbow instead at Lochter Activity Park.
8. Unleash your inner Tarzan at a fairy-tale castle
Feel like Tarzan as you swing through the trees at Go Ape tree-top assault course. Go on an unforgettable adventure when you scale the heights in this high ropes course with tarzan swings, zip wires and rope ladders. Go Ape at Crathes Castle is Go Ape’s most northerly location in the UK and is set in the majestic grounds of a fairy-tale castle. Once you’ve had your fill of daring thrills take a more relaxed wander through the gardens and the castle itself
All information is correct at the time of publishing, we recommend that you check opening times and information for individual places before visiting.