Getting Ready for Your Grampian Escape – What to Know Before Your Tour
If you’ve booked a day out with Grampian Escapes & Tours – fantastic! We’re excited to welcome you on a journey through the northeast of Scotland, exploring everything from rugged coastlines to charming villages, historic castles, and hidden gems along the way. To help make your day as smooth and enjoyable as possible, here are a few handy tips before we set off.
🗺️ Meeting Point
All our tours depart from the William Wallace statue on Rosemount Viaduct, right next to Common Sense Coffee House. It’s a central spot and easy to find — just look for the towering statue of Wallace with his claymore in hand.
If you’ve got time before the tour, pop into Common Sense for a warm drink and a bite; they usually open from 08:45 during the week, so you can pop in before we head off. Alternatively, stop after the tour with a nice drink on the terrace and admire the view of Union Terrace Gardens and watch the world go by.
🚶♀️ Getting There
Whether you’re coming from the train or bus station, you won’t have far to go. The meeting point is about a 10-minute walk from Aberdeen Train Station and the Union Square Bus Station. Just follow Bridge Street or Market Street up to Union Street and you’ll find us near the Central Library and His Majesty’s Theatre.
🚗 Parking Nearby
If you’re driving into the city, there are a couple of long-stay parking options nearby:
Denburn Car Park – located just behind His Majesty’s Theatre. It’s about a 2-minute walk to the meeting point. Postcode: AB25 1PU
College Street Car Park – a bit further, roughly 10–12 minutes on foot, but still a good option if Denburn is full. Postcode: AB11 6FD
Both are convenient and usually have spaces early in the morning. We recommend downloading the PayByPhone App to pay for your parking securely.
🚖 Coming from the South Harbour (Cruise Ship Passengers)
If you’re joining us from a cruise ship at Aberdeen South Harbour, you’ll need to arrange your own transport to the city centre. The drive from the harbour to our meeting point takes approximately 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. We recommend pre-booking a local taxi, especially on busy cruise days. A few reliable local taxi companies include:
Rainbow City Taxis – 01224 878787
ComCab Aberdeen – 01224 353535
Booking ahead ensures you’re not waiting too long, and gives you peace of mind that you’ll arrive on time for your tour.
🏨 Local Hotels
There are plenty of hotels within walking distance:
- The Sandman Signature Hotel – just across from the meeting point!
- Park Inn by Radisson
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- Leonardo Hotel at Union Square
- Holiday Inn Express
- and many more!
All of these are less than a 10-minute walk to our meeting spot.
🌦️ Dress for the Weather
Scottish weather loves to keep us guessing, so we recommend checking the forecast the night before. Layers are your friend, and a waterproof jacket is always a good idea — even in summer! Sensible shoes are a must, especially if we’ll be walking around villages or on uneven ground.
We can’t wait to show you the best of Aberdeenshire — from dramatic coastlines to whisky tastings and everything in between. If you’ve got any questions before your tour, feel free to reach out. Otherwise, we’ll see you bright and early at the William Wallace statue!
Grampian Escapes & Tours – your local guide to unforgettable adventures.
