Day 149 – Aberdeen, Scotland

Aberdeen, Scotland, was a new port for Viking on the British Isles Explorer itinerary, replacing Invergordon in the Scottish Highlands, which Tim and I had visited in 2022. While Tim took the day off, I was excited to explore a new destination and selected an eight-hour, optional excursion, “St. Cyrus, House of Dun & Distillery,” with the promise of visiting an elegant Georgian manor house with gorgeous plasterwork. This was the description:

Witness a stunning landscape rich in birdlife, tour a Georgian manor and enjoy lunch with artisanal spirits. Take a scenic coastal drive to St Cyrus Nature Reserve and walk along the Lurgies path, which winds along the area's namesake river basin. The largest stretch of inland saltwater in the UK, it fills and empties with the tide, revealing mud flats and salt marshes where otters, herons and pink-footed geese like to feed. Nearby, visit the 18th century House of Dun, a perfect example of Georgian opulence. Built by renowned architect William Adam, it features spectacular plasterwork, well-preserved period furniture, handstitched embroidery, paintings and historic artifacts set within breathtaking formal gardens. Afterward, you will head to the family-owned Arbikie Distillery to taste artisanal spirits with a ploughman's lunch, before returning to your ship.

Viking Sky sailed into Aberdeen Harbour, now known as the Port of Aberdeen, on a breezy morning. The harbor was first established in 1136 and is the oldest business in Great Britain. Aberdeen also boasts one of the newest ports as well, since the Port of Aberdeen opened South Harbour in 2023.

Arriving at the Port of Aberdeen

Aberdeen is one of the sunniest cities in Scotland, and our beautiful, sunny drive along the scenic coast featured bright green and yellow fields, charming towns, and dramatic clifftops with views of the North Sea.

A Scenic Drive Along the Coast of Scotland

We stopped at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, where we admired the towering volcanic cliffs and sandy beach. I was just as impressed, however, by the beautiful arched bridge and viaduct that we passed on the way to the reserve.

Arriving at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve After Passing a Beautiful Arched Bridge and Viaduct

The Dunes and Beaches of St Cyrus National Natural Reserve

Our next stop was the Arbikie Distillery, one of the world's most sustainable distilleries. Here we learned about the world of whiskey during a guided tour, and we ended with a tasting. We then moved to the restaurant, where we were served a Ploughman's Platter, an amazing assortment of premium cheeses, cured meats, crusty bread, and local produce. It was delicious.

Whiskey Tour at the Arbikie Distillery

Ploughman's Platter

Highland Cattle at the Arbikie Distillery Farm

The highlight of the day for me was our final stop, House of Dun, a property of the National Trust for Scotland. Georgian style architecture is one of my favorites, and House of Dun is a wonderful example of a Georgian manor house. Designed in 1730 by William Adam, the most prominent architect in Scotland during the early eighteenth century, the house reflects the classical symmetry for which the style is known.

House of Dun, with William Adam's Original Drawing

House of Dun

Other Facades of House of Dun

Before visiting the interior of the house, I wandered around the lovely walled garden, which was filled with late spring blooms. The south terrace provided expansive views towards the Montrose Basin.

Formal Gardens

Late Spring Flowers in the Walled Garden

The plasterwork inside the house was even more breathtaking than I had anticipated, especially in the main saloon. Designed by Joseph Enzer, the plasterwork designs depict both classical scenes and family emblems. They were amazing.

Exquisite Plasterwork in the Main Salon

Dining Room

Once I returned to Viking Sky, Tim and I attended the Local Wine and Cheese special event on the Pool Deck before heading to the World Café for a Nordic dinner.

Wine and Cheese on the Pool Deck with JunJun's Fanciful Birds