August 9, 2023 - Aberdeen, Scotland

 August 9, 2023 - Wednesday - Aberdeen, Scotland

We arrived at the dock in Aberdeen on time with bright skies. The storm we had avoided grew in strength and battered the west coast of Norway. A Norwegian next to us at breakfast got news updates that said there was considerable damage in some parts of Norway. We were lucky to escape with only some discomfort due to the vicious seas.

Building around the church ruins and graveyard

We never learned what this building is

A shuttle bus took us near the town center. Where it dropped us off we viewed a large number of offshore oil rig servicing vessels. Scotland also has oil interests in the North Sea and Aberdeen is the closest port to shelter and provision the servicing vessels. We walked from the shuttle stop past a large mall and started our way uphill to the center. First we passed moored service vessels. They are large nd imposing. We only wish we knew how they worked.

At the top of Market Street we turned onto Union street We were now headed to an imposing building housing some government offices. Farther on was a nice square with the Aberdeen sign at one end and the castle at the other. in between were shops lining the square and a war memorial statue. We headed through the square on our way to the castle. We passed through a small flea market and arrived at a spot to photograph the castle. Once done we started down the street next to the castle. At the top of a small alley we spied a sign pointing to St. Peter RC church. We went down the alley and found the entrance to a delightful little church. With obligatory pictures taken we went back up to the square. 

Looking down Market Street

Government offices

The castle

St. Peter Church

War Memorial

As we move toward the Aberdeen sign at the end of the square we saw a very colorful rabbit statue. We went to take pictures of it and commented that it was almost like the Chicago Cows of a few years ago. As we took our pictures a delivery man whose truck was stopped nearby came over to offer an explanation of the rabbit. There are 30 of them placed around the city sponsored by a charity supporting cancer victims and research. there are another 10 elsewhere in the area. Various businesses sponsor the creation and placement of the rabbits. At the end of the summer they will be auctioned off and the buyers may display them in front of their businesses. We thanked him and moved on toward the shopping district.

On the way we walked into a small square with a rabbit and at the back of the square there was a rainbow staircase. We paid homage to the rabbit and walked to the side of the square. There was an old church with some broken and boarded up windows. It was nice looking building. A few stairs next to it took us up to a very old cemetery. We did some admiring of the gravesites and as we left we notice a side gate. Going through it took us to a beautiful courtyard with a children’s playground. Off to one side was a shopping mall and at the back were residential buildings.

Playground

The mall entrance was locked and directed us to the entrance at ground level. To get to it we made our way down the rainbow staircase. The main door was there leading to the Marks and Spencer store. This could not have been a better discovery as we were in need of a WC. They were on the second floor and they were free. Our lucky day.

We returned to Union Street and made our way down a few blocks before turning back toward Market Street. The retail establishments along here were small and tired. One could tell that this was once a prominent district. Now its Golden Days were past. We wondered if the decline was the result of the loss of shoppers due to the long Covid interruption.

A few of the open stores

More cemetery shots. The bird was not bothered by us.

Back at Market Street we headed toward the shuttle stop. We were making our way through a myriad of traffic light controlled crossings toward the waiting shuttle. With just two more streets to cross the shuttle left. We waved at the driver, but he was already in traffic when he saw us. We went into the mall to get out of the heat. We did not shop. Twenty minutes later we returned to the stop. It was now crowded with passengers. We joined the end of the line and prayed that we would get on when the bus arrived. The shuttle arrived twenty minutes later. It was late. We were inching toward the door when the driver got off and starting counting those of us still in line. We breathed a sigh of relief as he let us board. Only five more people got on and he closed the door. About twenty passengers were left waiting.

Soon we were aboard Pursuit and enjoying a late lunch with cold beers. Now we could relax until the evening entertainment. This was a beautiful and enjoyable day.