Getting About with the Gordon Highlanders!
25 September 2014
A tourist getting around a new city can be difficult, especially when using public transport. So we're going out and about to show you how to get to some of our attractions!
Although a museum on military history may not immediately be the top of my list to visit, I was left eating my words yesterday after a fascinating afternoon in the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Stories of love, romance, valour, fighting and costumes – all the elements not only for a fantastic film but a fantastic afternoon!
Getting There – The Details
Bus Number: First Bus – Number 11
Bus Pick-Up Point: Outside Marischal College, Broad Street
Gordon Highlanders Museum Bus Stop: Viewfield Road Stop
Bus Ticket Price: First Bus Day ticket £3.80 and Return £3.50 Mon-Thur after 9.30am and all-day weekends (Be sure to have the exact change to give the bus driver, the First Bus operates an exact fare policy.)
Travel Time: 20 mins and 2 minute walk to the Museum
Starting from right outside the magnificent Marischal College on Broad Street, right in the centre of town it is really easy to get to one of Aberdeen’s most interesting, but a little out of the way attractions – The Gordon Highlanders Museum.
The bus takes you along Union Street into the Westend area of the town, you will pass Victoria Cross and a few moments later arrive at your stop.
When you arrive at the museum you will find the most beautiful building, which Gordon (our fantastic guide) told us some lovely stories about the previous owner and its artistic history.
We began our tour in the Grant Room - usually visitors watch a short film and are then led through the first 100 year history of the Gordon Highlanders and then onto the second 100 years.
It was wonderful to have such a knowledgeable guide - which is something the Gordon Highlanders Museum can be proud of.
Gordon kept us thoroughly entertained with stories of the rather mischievous Duchess Jean and the impressive Sir George White, to name just two!
The exquisite displays throughout the museum kept us interested for a good few hours (though admittedly we could have easily spent the whole day there).
And for the kids, the museum has covered all bases making many of the displays interactive!
"What do you mean I'm not a child anymore?"
And of course there's the dress-up area so you can be a Gordon Highlander for a day!
Of course you can't leave without taking a stop off in the cafe for a lovely cup of tea! (We're not sure if it's something everyone appreciates, but Adelle and I had a good laugh at the fact we both love a good pouring teapot - we weren't disappointed!)
To return to the city centre, head back up the path, cross the road and head left to the nearest bus stop.