Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Aberdeen has long been a city defined by the sea. The Port of Aberdeen was established almost 900 years ago in 1136 by King David I of Scotland and, according to the Guiness Book of Business Records, it is the oldest existing business in Britain.

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum does an excellent job at telling the story of the city’s long-standing relationship with the North Sea, from its early days as a thriving fishing port to its modern role as Europe’s oil and gas capital.

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum is just a 10-minute walk from the NorthLink Ferries terminal, making it an ideal first-stop when exploring the city or to pass time before catching a ferry to Orkney or Shetland. The museum is open daily and free to all visitors.

*Exhibits within the Aberdeen Maritime Museum photo © Copyright VisitScotland / Kenny Lam*

Things to see at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum

The displays inside the museum go into great detail and are arranged thematically over four floors. Some of these themes include:

Shipbuilding – see beautifully detailed ship models from 1689 to present day (did you know that between 1790 and 1989, roughly 3,000 ships were built in Aberdeen?)
Fishing – Aberdeen flourished as a major fishing port in the 19^th and 20^th centuries (an incredible 97,500 tons of fish was landed here in 1950!)
Oil and Gas – following the discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea in the late 1960s, Aberdeen became known as the ‘oil capital’ of Europe.
Wreck and Rescue – a newer display detailing dramatic shipwrecks and daring efforts to save lives at sea.

*The replica Murchison Platform stretches through the Aberdeen Maritime Museum photo © Copyright VisitScotland / Kenny Lam*

The museum’s centrepiece, an eight-metre-high 1:33 scale model of the Murchison Oil Platform, dominates every floor as it extends through the heart of the building. This model offers a detailed look at the engineering marvels of the offshore industry, showcasing how oil and gas are extracted from the depths of the North Sea.

From the top floor, take in spectacular panoramic views of Aberdeen Harbour and watch fishing boats and larger vessels navigate the busy port (see if you can spot one of our ships!).

*Looking across Aberdeen Harbour from the Maritime Museum photo © Copyright VisitScotland / Kenny Lam*

Other facilities and accessibility

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum has been developed over the years to improve its accessibility to all. A lift and ramps provide access to most areas, and an induction loop system is available in the auditorium for those with hearing difficulties.

Please note that while the most of the museum is fully accessible, parts of the Provost Ross’s House are not accessible for wheelchairs and prams.

Before you leave, be sure to stop by the museum gift shop which offers a selection of nautical gifts, souvenirs, and books!

For latest information about the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, please visit: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/plan-your-visit/aberdeen-maritime-museum