Duthie Park

Located a 30-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the NorthLink Ferries terminal in Aberdeen, Duthie Park is a popular place to step away from the noise of the city and enjoy a peaceful stroll in tranquil surroundings.

First opened to the public in 1883, the 44-acre Victorian park extends along the banks of the River Dee in the Ferryhill area of Aberdeen.

The park also connects directly to the Deeside Way, a popular scenic walking and cycling route that leads from Aberdeen to Ballater in the Royal Deeside.

The History of Duthie Park

In 1880, the land that Duthie Park now occupies was gifted to Aberdeen City Council from Elizabeth Crombie Duthie of Ruthrieston. She wished to create a space ‘for the wellbeing and recreation of Aberdeen inhabitants’ in memory of her uncle, Walter Duthie, and her brother, Alexander Duthie.

The park was officially opened three years later on the 27th September 1883 in which HRH Princess Beatrice attended.

Today, Duthie Park remains a cherished part of Aberdeen retaining much of its original Victorian design. A £5 million restoration project, completed in 2013, restored its historical features and enhanced the beauty and accessibility of the park.

Things to see in Duthie Park

There are many things to see and do within Duthie Park that are all connected by a series of well-maintained tarred paths. Check out a full guide of things to see in Duthie Park here.

Some of the park’s main sites of interest include:

• Award-Winning Play Areas – Previously voted Scotland’s best play space, Duthie Park boasts two exceptional playgrounds – one for younger children and another designed for those who love adventure.
• Victorian Features – The park is home to a magnificent bandstand, ornate fountains and a boating pond that has been in use since 1907. These elements reflect the grandeur of the parks original design.
• Linked Lakes – These three lakes were integral to McKelvie’s vision and have been lovingly restored. The middle lake now mimics a traditional Scottish lochan, attracting a diverse range of wildlife.

• The Mound – One of the most distinctive features in the park, The Mound was created using earth excavated from the linked lakes. Climb to the top for stunning panoramic views of the park and surrounding areas.
• Japanese Garden – Designed by Takashi Sawano, this tranquil garden is a place of reflection that commemorates those who lost their lives in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• McGrigor Obelisk – Made from striking red Peterhead granite, this obelisk was originally located at Marischal College before being moved to the park in 1906. It honours Sir James McGrigor, a key figure in British military medicine.

David Welch Winter Gardens

One of the park’s biggest draws is the David Welch Winter Gardens, said to be the third most visited indoor plant collection in Scotland and one of Europe’s largest indoor gardens.

Named in honour of David Welch – Aberdeen’s former Park Director – the Winter Gardens are free to enter and is open daily.

Housing one of Britain’s biggest collections of cacti and succulents (even a talking cactus!), the Winter Gardens are a lovely place to explore come rain or shine where you can view rare and exotic plants from all over the world.

The Park Café

After a wander through the park and the Winter Gardens, we recommend stopping by The Park Café where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, hot and cold drinks, as well as delicious cakes.

With indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the perfect way to end your visit to Duthie Park by sitting down with a bite to eat and taking in the peaceful scenery.