Aberdeen: Crime & Punishment Audio Walking Tour by GPS

Summary

Walk Aberdeen’s darker history at your own pace through centuries of crime

You’ll walk Aberdeen’s streets guided by your phone, hearing true stories of crime & punishment as you pass sites like Marischal College and Mercat Cross. Pause whenever you want for coffee or photos—just pick up where you left off. The audio brings old scandals and harsh laws alive in places you’d never expect. It might stick with you longer than you think.

What’s the experience like?

I started the audio tour just outside what used to be Aberdeen’s gaol — you can still feel the chill in the stone even on a busy day. The voice in my ear was friendly, almost like a local who’d seen too much, and pointed out where hangings happened right there. I don’t know why, but seeing regular people pass by, totally unaware of what went on here centuries ago, made me shiver a bit. It was only 3km for the full loop but I kept stopping — not just for photos at Marischal College (it really does look like something out of a storybook), but because every corner seemed to have some wild story attached.

The Mercat Cross looked harmless enough until the guide started talking about public punishments and that one queen’s crackdown on treason. There was this moment when I leaned against the cold granite and tried to imagine crowds gathering for news or justice — it’s hard to picture now with all the shops around. And then we wound our way down these tiny alleys near St Andrew’s Cathedral; honestly, I got a bit lost once but the GPS kicked in and nudged me back on track. The stories about bodysnatchers and medical students behind King’s College were both gross and fascinating (I’ll never look at anatomy rooms quite the same).

There was this old graveyard where the wind kept knocking my scarf loose — I lingered longer than planned just listening to tales of witch trials and church punishments. At The Green I grabbed a coffee from some indie café while hearing about child-snatching gangs (which made me side-eye every shadow for a minute). The Maritime Museum popped up near the end if you want to duck inside — I didn’t, but maybe next time. What surprised me most? How close all this history felt, like it hadn’t really left Aberdeen at all. Sometimes you catch yourself staring at a doorway or street sign and thinking about who else stood there before you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Aberdeen's crime history

• Start at former Aberdeen gaol
• See public hanging site
• Visit Mercat Cross for announcements
• Learn about queen and treason
• Pass Balmoral Castle-style tower
• Walk through Seabury Court
• Visit old University anatomy rooms
• Hear about bodysnatchers
• Explore atmospheric graveyard
• See grave of controversial doctor
• Learn about church punishments and witches
• Visit The Green hipster enclave
• Hear stories of child-snatching gang
• Explore Aberdeen harbour punishments
• Pass Maritime Museum
• Option to explore Maritime Museum

Top questions

How long is the Aberdeen crime & punishment audio tour?

The walking route is 3km and takes about 45 minutes without stops.

Does the self-guided audio tour work offline?

Yes, after downloading in the VoiceMap app, it works offline including maps and audio.

Where does the tour start in Aberdeen?

The tour starts outside what used to be Aberdeen's gaol, now a museum.

Is this walking tour suitable for kids or families?

The content covers historical crimes and punishments; parental discretion advised.

Do I need internet during the tour?

No, once downloaded via WiFi or data beforehand, no internet is needed during your walk.

Can I pause or restart the audio if I stop somewhere?

Yes, you can pause anytime for breaks or photos and resume when ready.

Are there any entry fees included?

The price covers lifetime access to the audio tour; entrance to attractions is not included.

Is public transport nearby for getting to the start?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the starting point.

What’s included

Your experience includes lifetime English-language access to this GPS-triggered audio walking tour through Aberdeen using VoiceMap on iOS or Android devices. You’ll also get offline access to maps and narration so you can wander without worrying about signal—or time limits—just bring headphones and let your phone guide you from story to story around town.