Green spaces and walkways in Aberdeen
Encyclopedia
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
city
City status in the United Kingdom
City status in the United Kingdom is granted by the British monarch to a select group of communities. The holding of city status gives a settlement no special rights other than that of calling itself a "city". Nonetheless, this appellation carries its own prestige and, consequently, competitions...
of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
has a number of famous green spaces and walkways. The parks, gardens and floral displays which include 2 million roses, 11 million daffodils and 3 million crocuses have led the city to win the Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Horticultural Society
The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 in London, England as the Horticultural Society of London, and gained its present name in a Royal Charter granted in 1861 by Prince Albert...
's Britain in Bloom
Britain in Bloom
RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Anglian Home Improvements, is the largest horticultural campaign in the United Kingdom. It was first held in 1963, initiated by the British Tourist Board based on the example set by Fleurissement de France. It has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society ...
Best City award many times, including a period of nine years straight. Most recently it won the 2006 Scotland in Bloom Best City award along with the International Cities in Bloom award. The suburb of Dyce
Dyce
Dyce is a civil parish and suburb of Aberdeen, Scotland, about north west of Aberdeen city centre, and best known as the location of the city's airport. It is on the River Don.- History :...
also won the Small Towns award.
City parks
Aberdeen City Council's website states the city has six "city parks". In rank order these are:NB, little data is available for the area size Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links
Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links
Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. The beach itself is famous for its golden sand and its long curved length between the harbour and the River Don's mouth....
- this may affect the rankings.
| Park | Size rank | Size | Opened date / by | Coordinates | Named after | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazlehead Park Hazlehead Park Hazlehead Park is a large public park in the Hazlehead area of Aberdeen, Scotland. 180 hectares in size, it was opened to the public in 1920, having formerly been the estate of Hazlehead House, home of William Rose, shipbuilder.... |
1 | 180 hectares / 1,800,000 m² | 1920 | 57°8′19"N 2°10′43"W | Formerly the grounds of Hazlehead House, home of William Rose, shipbuilder | Large area forested, football pitches, two 18 hole golf course and one 9 hole, horse riding stables |
| Seaton Park Seaton Park Seaton Park is located in Aberdeen, Scotland and is one of the city's biggest parks. It was bought by the city for use as a public park in 1947 from Major Hay.The River Don passes along the edge of the park... |
2 | 27 hectares / 270,000 m² | 1947 | 57°10′18"N 2°6′9"W | Seaton House, home of the Hays of Seaton | Flowerbeds, football pitches |
| Duthie Park Duthie Park Duthie park, situated in Aberdeen, Scotland, by the banks of the River Dee, comprises of land gifted to the council in 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston, in memory of her uncle and of her brother... |
3 | 50 acres / 202,000 m² | 1899 / Princess Beatrice | 57°7′49"N 2°6′14"W | Elizabeth Crombie Duthie of Ruthrieston | Winter gardens and other ornate gardens. |
| Victoria Park Victoria Park, Aberdeen Victoria Park is a small park in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland.The park has an area of five hectares and opened to the public in 1871. It is named after Queen Victoria. As well as numerous flower beds there is a conservatory and a greenhouse which is open during the summer months... |
- 4 | 13 acres / 53,000 m² | 1871 | 57°9′6"N 2°7′21"W | Her Majesty Queen Victoria Victoria of the United Kingdom Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India.... |
Ornamental park |
| Westburn Park Westburn Park Westburn Park is located in Aberdeen, Scotland and is a large Aberdeen City Council owned public park. It is a 10 hectare site and one of the cities biggest parks.It does not have flowerbeds or gardens and is mainly grass with some trees... |
- 4 | 13 acres / 53,000 m² | 1901 | 57°9′13"N 2°7′22"W | The Westburn (watercourse) | Indoor and outdoor tennis, large grass pitches, children's cycle track, bowls lawn |
| Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. The beach itself is famous for its golden sand and its long curved length between the harbour and the River Don's mouth.... |
? | ? | ? | 57°9′11"N 2°4′38"W | ? | Beach leisure centre (swimming, wall climbing, ice rink NOW RE-OPENED), 18 hole links golf course, beach |
Local parks
Aberdeen City Council's website states the city has seven "local parks". Some of these areAllan Park, a small park near Cults.
Johnston Gardens
Johnston Gardens
Johnston Gardens is a small public garden in Aberdeen, Scotland. The garden has won the Britain in Bloom competition many times ....
(1 hectare (10,000 m²)) is situated in the Rubislaw area. It hosts many different types of flowers and plants which have been renowned for their beauty which have led the gardens to winning categories in the 'Britain in Bloom' competitions.
Rubislaw Terrace Gardens a small 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) park in the centre of Aberdeen, near Queens Cross.
Stewart Park
Stewart Park, Aberdeen
Stewart Park is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is a site owned by Aberdeen City Council. It was bought funds bequeathed by the widow of Mr. John Taylor, a merchant in the city...
(5 acres (20,000 m²)) opened in 1894 and is situated in the Hilton area. The park was named after a former Lord Provost of the city, Sir David Stewart. There are sections is reserved for cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
matches.
Union Terrace Gardens
Union Terrace Gardens
Union Terrace Gardens is a public park and gardens, and important landmark situated on Union Terrace at the heart of Aberdeen, Scotland.- The gardens :The sunken gardens opened to the public in 1879, and cover approximately two and a half acres...
(1 hectare (10,000 m²)) opened in 1879 and is situated in the centre of the city. The gardens are a popular rendezvous in the heart of the city, enjoyed by both locals and visitors. Surrounding the gardens are a number of important ancient protected Elm Trees, and during the summer season at the north end, a formally planted and maintained City Coat of Arms.
Walkways
The Deeside WayDeeside Way
The Deeside Way , is a pathway that travels along the bed of the now removed Deeside Railway, along the north bank of the River Dee in Aberdeenshire.While in operation, the railway was used by the British Royal Family during travel to their Scottish retreat at Balmoral,...
is a popular walkway and track that is used by cyclists and walkers. The trail runs from the Duthie Park
Duthie Park
Duthie park, situated in Aberdeen, Scotland, by the banks of the River Dee, comprises of land gifted to the council in 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston, in memory of her uncle and of her brother...
to Peterculter
Peterculter
Peterculter , also known as Culter, is a suburb of Aberdeen, Scotland approximately eight miles inland from Aberdeen city centre. Peterculter is situated along the northern banks of the River Dee in the vicinity of the confluences with Crynoch Burn and Leuchar Burn...
along the former Deeside Railway which has had its tracks lifted.
The Formartine and Buchan Way
Formartine and Buchan Way
The Formartine and Buchan Way is a long-distance footpath in Scotland, extending from Dyce north to Peterhead and Fraserburgh. It follows the track of a former railway line, the Formartine and Buchan Railway, and is open to walkers and cyclists. Horse riders are also welcome on parts of the track...
is a walkway along old railway route the Formartine and Buchan Railway which ran from Dyce
Dyce
Dyce is a civil parish and suburb of Aberdeen, Scotland, about north west of Aberdeen city centre, and best known as the location of the city's airport. It is on the River Don.- History :...
to Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland with a population recorded in the 2001 Census at 12,454 and estimated at 12,630 in 2006. It lies at the extreme northeast corner of Aberdeenshire, around north of Aberdeen, and north of Peterhead...
. The current walkway is along the entire old route where the tracks have been lifted much like the Deeside Way
Deeside Way
The Deeside Way , is a pathway that travels along the bed of the now removed Deeside Railway, along the north bank of the River Dee in Aberdeenshire.While in operation, the railway was used by the British Royal Family during travel to their Scottish retreat at Balmoral,...
. The track runs almost parallel to the National Cycle Network
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
track between Dyce and Auchnagatt, where the tracks cross over.
A96 road
The A96 is a major road in the North of Scotland.It runs generally west/north-west from Aberdeen, bypassing Kintore, Inverurie, Huntly and Forres, and running through Keith, Fochabers, Elgin and Nairn...
.