Getting around Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Centre Map

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Campus and Accessibility Map

Events will take place in the Macrobert Building and the King’s Pavilion in the Old Aberdeen campus!

*Click the image for a larger view*

Travelling by Bus

City Centre to Old Aberdeen Campus via FirstBus

  • Number 20, from Guild Street (near Aberdeen Bus and Train stations), links the city centre with the main Old Aberdeen campus, and the Hillhead Halls of Residence. 

  • Number 19, from Broad Street, opposite Marischal College, passes to the west of the University along Bedford Road and stops near the Sir Duncan Rice Library.

  • Numbers 1/1/A/1B and 2 travel along Union Street, the city's main thoroughfare, King Street and pass the University. Alight just after the King's playing fields on your left.

Nearest Stops to Old Aberdeen Campus

  • Old Aberdeen (bus no. 20)

  • Bedford Road (bus no. 19)

  • King Street (bus no. 1/1A/1B and 2)

You can also use the Stagecoach service from Adelphi or Union Square Bus station up King Street past the University.

Travelling by Car

Entering the city from the south or west, follow signs for the A90 (Fraserburgh and Peterhead). This leads round the ring road (Anderson Drive).

Exiting from a roundabout (signed Old Aberdeen) onto Cairncry Road, continue to follow the A90 signs through two further roundabouts onto St. Machar Drive.

After a third roundabout, the road bisects Old Aberdeen and local signs will direct you to University sites.

From the north, Old Aberdeen is signposted on the A96 (from Dyce and Inverness) and on the A90 (from Peterhead).

About the University of Aberdeen

Founded in 1495 by William Elphinstone, the University of Aberdeen is over 500 years old and the fifth oldest university in the UK.

Originally opened to train doctors, clergy, and teachers, the university is now host to over 15,000 students across a variety of disciplines.

The University was ranked 2nd in Scotland and Top 15 in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Nature:

If you’d like to brave the cold, the MacRobert building is located within walking distance from the Aberdeen Esplanade! Extending 4km from Bridge of Don to Footdee, linking the sand dunes of Donmouth Nature Reserve with the industry of the North Harbour.

Aberdeen has an abundance of green space within the city.  Adjoining the Old Aberdeen campus is Seaton Park, where you have a chance of greeting otters going about their business in the Don. Victoria Park, also nearby, is a quiet and scenic area with walking paths, picnic tables, and large checkerboards on the concrete.  To the south of the city centre is Duthie Park and the David Welch Winter Gardens, which are well worth a visit (if only to meet McPuddock the animatronic frog).

If you’re able to extend your stay here in the northeast of Scotland, why not explore one of the many castles on our doorstep! Just a 15 minute train raid on the main line south from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, a half-day excursion could take you by train to Stonehaven to enjoy a five-mile round trip by foot to the spectacular coastal fortress at Dunnottar.

Guide to Aberdeen

Art and Culture:

Aberdeen is home to many museums including the Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, and The Provost Skene’s House.

Aberdeen boasts a fair number of music halls and theatres, including the Music Hall, one of UK’s finenst nineteenth-century concert houses. In January, His Majesty’s Theatre will stage the musical Chicago and Hairspray as well as host the Scottish Ballet and Orchestra’s setting of The Nutcracker!

If you need a break from classrooms and would like to continue your conversations over a pint, The Blue Lamp is a wonderful, candle-lit live music venue that hosts Scottish and international acts from jazz groups, to funk bands, to comedians.