From enjoying nature trails on Scotstown Moor, taking a walk round the duck pond at Denmore Loch, heading into the city, or north out into the stunning Aberdeenshire countryside, Dubford is an ideal base from which to explore the very best the north east has to offer.
You’ll find a wealth of amenities close by in Bridge of Don including supermarkets, DIY superstores, dentists, the Old Machar and Scotstown Medical Practices, as well as hotels, restaurants, leisure centres, and excellent childcare facilities.
Stage and Screen
As the north of Scotland’s largest Conference Centre, the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre hosts over 600 events attracting around 300,000 visitors from around the world annually.
From the biennial Offshore Europe exhibition, wedding and home shows, to comedy and live music, the centre hosts some of the area’s biggest and most extravagant events.
And from the drama of the latest blockbuster, to the thrill of a great night out at the theatre, Aberdeen really is cultural centre of the north east.
Back in Time
Close to Bridge of Don, picturesque Old Aberdeen is steeped in history and characterised by notable dwellings, streets and unique architecture. Main attractions include King’s College, St Machar’s Cathedral, and the Old Town House.
A short drive north takes you to Pitmedden Gardens, where you can explore the stunning great garden and enjoy woodland walks. Haddo House’s grounds are open all year round, and include Haddo Country Park, with its lakes, monuments, woodland walks
and deer park.
Nature Trail
Stop at the nearby Forvie National Nature Reserve and Ythan Estuary to catch a glimpse of eider ducks and seals basking at the mouth of the estuary.
Closer to home, Donmouth Local Nature Reserve is a beach site in the historic Old Aberdeen part of the City where the River Don meets the sea.
During the summer months the Countryside Ranger Service organises a range of public events at Donmouth including bird watching, seashore searches and minibeast hunts.
Tee off in Style
Golf remains an accessible sport in the city for players of all ages and abilities. In fact, the area has a spectacular selection of championship and scenic parkland courses.
Close to Dubford, you’ll find the Murcar Links Golf Club, which frequently features in the Top 100 courses in the UK. In 2005, the course hosted pre-qualifying for the British Senior Open.
Test your skills at the King’s Links 18-hole course, which runs parallel with the Aberdeen beachfront. Also close by is Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.
The Balgownie course’s front nine holes rank amongst the very best in the world, while the club’s Silverburn Course is a very attractive short, 18-hole course with nine par 3s.
Whet your Appetite
As you’d expect, Aberdeen is home to a diverse range of restaurants and cafes serving cuisine from around the world.
In Bridge of Don, the menu at the Scotch Bonnet Bistro in Jesmond Drive showcases the best of fresh ingredients, while volunteer-run Striders Coffee Shop at the Bridge of Don Baptist Church serves hot drinks and cakes in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere during term time.
Set in stunning woodland at the Haddo Estate, Formartine’s eatery boasts the best of local and seasonal produce, with the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.
Beside the Seaside
The north east is well known for its stunning beaches. Aberdeen Beach has golden sand running the length between the harbour and the mouth of the River Don.
It’s a great place to try your hand at surfing or kite boarding, and the beach also has a popular amusement area along its famous esplanade with restaurants and an amusement park, as well as a multiplex cinema and retail park.
Take a short drive north to award-winning Balmedie Country Park and explore its beautiful, sandy dunes: part of a dune system that stretches 14 miles from the city to just north of the River Ythan at Newburgh.
On the landward side of the dunes is an area of stable grassland, where you’ll find car parks and picnic benches.
Parks and Recreation
With a popular children’s play area, open green spaces, and walled garden, Seaton Park is a much loved treasure on the banks of the Don.
Aberdeen Sports Village and Aquatics Centre on King Street is the premier sports facility in the north east. Open to the public, it caters for a range of activities including athletics, football, swimming, hockey, squash, martial arts and boxing.
And visitors to Transition Extreme at Aberdeen Beach can test their endurance with facilities including the indoor climbing wall, and the skatepark, as well as take part in martial arts classes.