Aberdeen Union Street Audio Tour: Self-Guided with GPS

Two kilometers of Aberdeen's history, narrated as you walk it

This self-guided audio walking tour of Aberdeen's Union Street uses GPS-triggered narration on your smartphone to reveal the city's history and landmarks as you move through them. Starting at Holburn Junction and ending at Marischal College, the route covers roughly two kilometers and takes about an hour of walking time, though you pause whenever you want. The VoiceMap app works offline, so you don't need data or a signal once you've downloaded it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Self-guided walking tour of Aberdeen

• Start at Holburn Junction, west end
• Walk along Union Street
• Visit Gilcomston Church
• See Wallace statue
• Pass St. Nicholas cemetery
• View Union Terrace Gardens
• Learn about the Granite City
• End at Market Cross

The Experience

The tour begins at the western end of Union Street and unfolds at whatever pace suits you. Once called "The Finest Street in the Empire," Union Street holds most of Aberdeen's architectural and cultural weight, and this audio guide unpacks that history stop by stop. You start the app on your phone, put it in your pocket, and the narration triggers automatically when you reach each marked location—Gilcomston Church, the Wallace statue commemorating Scottish independence, St. Nicholas cemetery, Union Terrace Gardens, and the granite landmarks that earned Aberdeen its nickname. The audio is professionally mastered and designed for all ages, though you'll need earbuds or headphones.

The walking distance is roughly two kilometers, which takes about an hour if you keep moving, but most people stop for coffee, photos or to step into the gardens and other sites along the way. The app's GPS knows where you are and plays the right narration at the right moment, so you don't have to hunt for stops or worry about missing something. You can pause, rewind, or skip ahead whenever you want. The route ends at the Market Cross, which has stood in Aberdeen since 1686.

You get lifetime access to the tour once you purchase it, and the VoiceMap app stores maps, audio and geodata offline, so you can walk without a data connection. The route is wheelchair accessible with small modifications, and strollers work for infants and small children. You'll need your own smartphone and headphones; the tour itself doesn't include entry to museums or other attractions you might pass, and food and drinks are on you.

What’s included

• Lifetime access to the Explore Union Street audio tour.
• VoiceMap mobile app with offline maps, audio and GPS data.
• professional narration in English.
• the ability to pause, rewind and skip ahead at any point.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours

Is this one for you?Start at Holburn Junction without needing a car or a guide to meet you—the app triggers narration automatically as you walk, so you move at your own speed and stop whenever something catches your eye. This works for anyone staying in Aberdeen without transport, or anyone who prefers to explore alone rather than in a group.

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Top questions

How long does the Aberdeen Union Street audio tour actually take to walk?

The walking distance is roughly two kilometers and takes about an hour without stopping, but most people pause for coffee, photos or to visit the gardens and landmarks along the way, so the full experience often stretches to two or three hours depending on how much you linger.

Does the audio guide work if I don't have a phone signal or data?

Yes—the VoiceMap app downloads the audio, maps and GPS data to your phone before you start, so the tour works completely offline and the narration triggers automatically as you reach each stop.

What are the main stops on Union Street I'll hear about?

The tour covers Gilcomston Church, the Wallace statue, St. Nicholas cemetery, Union Terrace Gardens, the granite landmarks that define the Granite City, and concludes at the Market Cross, which has stood in Aberdeen since 1686.

Can I do this tour if I use a wheelchair or push a stroller?

The route is wheelchair accessible with small modifications, and strollers work for infants and small children, so families and people with mobility needs can complete the full walk.

What do I need to bring or have ready before I start?

You'll need a smartphone with the VoiceMap app installed and headphones or earbuds to hear the narration; the app works offline once downloaded, so you don't need a data connection during the walk.