The Tolbooth Museum is one of Aberdeen's oldest buildings and one of the best-preserved 17th century gaols in Scotland. It features displays on local history and the development of crime and punishment through the centuries. The Tolbooth Museum provides a unique experience in the form of its atmospheric 17th and 18th century cells, original doors and barred windows.
Key Stage 4 (15-16)
Key Stage 4 (15-16)
At KS4, there has been a gradually burgeoning number of types of educational visits – foreign language school exchanges, cultural visits all over Europe and further afield, sports competitions, youth conferences, winter sports and adventurous activities in more extreme environments. The Duke of Edinburgh Award becomes available at 14 years old and continues to be offered for those up to 24 years of age, and pupils of many ages start work on specialist awards in areas such as mountaineering, sailing and river sports. This increase in venue variety has led to a proliferation of specialist companies catering for these activities.
The aims of history trips tend to be more focused in KS4, with study trips to the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation and the 1944 Normandy Landings often proving popular along with the 1815 Waterloo battlefield. Venues of this type are often catered for by specialist travel companies to ensure participants get the best experience available.
A lot of schools have a tradition of school trips with their choirs, orchestras and musical/theatre students. There are specialist companies that can help any school wishing to explore this possibility, and many venues have tailored activities for groups that can help improve performers’ confidence and motivation.
British schools have been the forerunners in Europe for undertaking challenging outdoor activities both at home and abroad (you can visit here for good list of activities and gateway sites) but there is a notable increase of interest at KS4 in science-based trips – most notably the Science and National History museums in London, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Macclesfield, Techniquest in Cardiff, and the Bristol Science Centre, all of which have reported an increase in visitors in recent years.
Suitable Venues
One of Aberdeen's oldest buildings and one of the best-preserved 17th century gaols in Scotland
Aberdeen Football Club Collection
Collection of football memorabilia associated with Aberdeen Football Club and it’s supporters. Please note that viewings are currently by appointment only.
The Trust aims to keep what was formerly St Peter’s Church in good repair and to house items and historical records relevant to Peterculter and the surrounding area, incorporating information on the Church, the Paper Mill (now closed), local organisations past and present, and local personalities.
A 250-year-old but ‘n ben cottage furnished as a home of about a century ago.
Session Cottage is open by arrangement only.
University collection: art, design, architecture, pharmacy, engineering collections
The University holds an extensive collection of artistic and historical artefacts. These include paintings, models, teaching equipment, student drawings and photographs that will allow staff, students and visitors to explore Robert Gordon University’s history.
Provost Skene's House is temporarily closed to the Public
The House will be closed during the development of Marischal Square. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
The House
Since the restoration of this fascinating building in 2008, the museum and exhibition space is housed in what were the ground floor ice house chambers used in the salmon fishing operation. There is a small Bothy area complete with bunks where fishermen would have slept. This now houses our genealogy facility.
The Centre is housed in part of a Victorian school dating from 1837. The Corbett Museum offers changing displays relating to the history of the area – domestic and farming, peoples and their trades, education and the kirk. Visitors can view the extensive photographic archive and browse the comprehensive collection of newspaper cuttings.
The Nelson Tower was built by the Forres Trafalgar Club in commemoration of Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The Tower was opened in 1812 and is the most northerly of all Britain’s Nelson monuments. Visitors may climb to the top of the octagonal tower and enjoy spectacular views across the Moray Firth.
Kinnaird Head was the first lighthouse to be built by the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1787 and the only lighthouse to be built on top of a fortified castle. In 1824, the lighthouse was reconstructed inside Kinnaird Castle by Robert Stevenson, engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board.
Relive the great days of steam trains at the former Maud Railway Station
Relive the great days of steam trains at the former Maud Railway Station. Sound effects add to the nostalgia of varied displays of railway memorabilia. GNSR memorabilia; photographs of Maud railway heydays; browsing corner with books and photographs.
Maud Railway Museum is housed in the former station buildings at Maud Junction in rural Aberdeenshire.
Situated in the Railway Station building, the volunteer-run museum encompasses both railway and local Insch history, including a scale model of the railway, photographs, artefacts, archive material and everyday stories of how life used to be in Insch.
The Grampian Transport Museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800's, to some of the fastest cars ever made.
The only Visit Scotland 5-Star Attraction in Aberdeen, the museum tells the extraordinary 200 year story of “the Finest Regiment in the World!”
At the Gordon Highlanders Museum you can re-live the dramatic story of one of Britain’s most famous regiments through the lives of its outstanding personalities and the soldiers of the north-east of Scotland who filled its ranks. Changing exhibition programme, interactive displays, guided tours, events and activities for all ages.
Relive the early days of the industrial revolution at Garlogie Mill. See the rare beam engine - the only one of its type to have survived intact on its original location - which powered the woollen Mill.
The charm of Fyvie ranges from its 13th-century origins to its stunning Edwardian interiors. The castle is home to a superb collection of arms, armour and paintings, including works by Raeburn and Gainsborough.
Step back in time through centuries of history at Fraserburgh Heritage Centre
Step back in time through centuries of history at Fraserburgh Heritage Centre. From the bustling quayside in the age of sail to the haute couture of dress designer Bill Gibb and the exciting adventure of Antarctic exploration, the 4 star visitor attraction offers a wealth of exhibits and a fascinating experience for all the family.
Discover the importance of the rural carpenter to the local community in the days before mass-produced goods, with displays of early tools and an audiovisual presentation. See a craftsman working in wood; relax in a Victorian-style garden; view early workshop machinery.
The Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust was set-up in 2007 to take over the remaining building of the former Ferryhill locomotive depot, restore it and transform the site into a working railway heritage site for the North East of Scotland. In this endeavor, the Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust has the active support of Aberdeen City Council and the Ferryhill Community Council.
Founded in 1871, the Falconer Museum is one of the oldest in the district. The museum houses a wealth of Moray’s heritage and features displays on local history, social history, geology and archaeology.
Elgin Museum is owned and managed by The Moray Society and is Scotland’s oldest independent museum. It is housed in a Grade A listed building, designed as a museum by local architect Thomas Mackenzie, and built in the Italianate style in the golden local sandstone. It opened in 1843.
The Museum of Scotland's Catholic Heritage
Blairs Museum contains spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years while the beauty of St. Mary’s Chapel never fails to make an impression.
Blairs Museum is home to a magnificent collection of paintings, church textiles, sacred and domestic silver and Jacobite memorabilia belonging to the Scottish Roman Catholic Church.
Schools
A local museum with material relating to the social and natural history of the town
A local museum with material relating to the social and natural history of the town and immediate district. Collections include scientific instruments which belonged to the astronomer James Ferguson and the natural history collection of Thomas Edward.
Pages
Featured Provider
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
Login/Sign Up
Latest News
Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.