Aberdeen: Dark History Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour

Aberdeen’s dark past comes to life through a captivating self-guided smartphone tour. For just $6.99 per person, visitors can enjoy the city’s intriguing history, uncovering tales of the oil industry, slavery, piracy, and colorful characters. Lasting around 45 minutes, the tour begins at Mercat Cross and is narrated by local storyteller Bryan Atchison, providing an engaging experience for history enthusiasts. With unlimited access to the audio guide, participants can delve deeper into Aberdeen’s shadows, discovering why this city’s past is not quite as pristine as its granite facades suggest.

This experience made our list of the 5 Best Walking Tours In Aberdeen.

Key Points

• Self-guided smartphone walking tour exploring Aberdeen’s connections to the oil industry, stories of slavery, piracy, and the city’s colorful past.
• Duration of approximately 45 minutes, starting at Mercat Cross, and accessible through the VoiceMap app with offline access.
• Features narrated audio guide by local producer Bryan Atchison, providing immersive insights into Aberdeen’s darker history.
• Suitable for adults with a charged smartphone and headphones, offering a virtual tour option for at-home experience.
• Tour received an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 from reviewers, praising the engaging storytelling and informative content.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview and Details

What does this self-guided smartphone walking tour of Aberdeen’s dark history entail? Priced from $6.99 per person, this 45-minute tour starts at the Mercat Cross and explores Aberdeen’s connections to the oil industry and its shady residents.

Featuring stories of slavery, piracy, and the city’s colorful past, the audio guide includes insights from local producer Bryan Atchison.

Participants can access the tour before and after their booking date, with a virtual tour option available. The tour requires the VoiceMap app and headphones, and is suitable for adults of any age with a charged smartphone.

Experience Highlights

The self-guided smartphone walking tour immerses participants in Aberdeen’s dark history.

Visitors will learn about the city’s connections to the oil industry and its shady residents. The audio guide, narrated by local producer Bryan Atchison, shares stories of slavery, piracy, and Aberdeen’s colorful past.

Participants can explore these haunting tales at their own pace, with unlimited access to the tour before and after the booking date.

The virtual tour option allows for a fully immersive experience, even from the comfort of one’s own home.

With a focus on informative content and engaging storytelling, this tour offers a unique glimpse into Aberdeen’s lesser-known history.

Technical Information

To access the self-guided smartphone walking tour, users will need to download the VoiceMap app, available for both Android and iOS devices. Once downloaded, the tour can be accessed offline, as all the necessary audio, maps, and geodata are provided. This ensures a seamless experience, even in areas with limited connectivity. To get the most out of the tour, it’s recommended to download it before starting the walk.

Feature	Description
Offline Access	Audio, maps, and geodata available offline
App Compatibility	VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
Download Recommendation	Download tour before starting for best experience
Tour Duration	45 minutes
Free Cancellation	Up to 24 hours in advance for full refund

Participant Information

Typically, the self-guided smartphone walking tour of Aberdeen’s dark history is suitable for adults aged 99 and younger.

Participants will need to bring a charged smartphone and headphones to fully experience the tour. The audio guide, featuring insights from local producer Bryan Atchison, is accessible through the VoiceMap app, available for both Android and iOS devices.

For the best experience, users should download the tour before starting the walk. With the offline access to audio, maps, and geodata, participants can explore Aberdeen’s connections to the oil industry and its shady residents at their own pace.

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Customer Feedback

According to customer reviews, the self-guided smartphone walking tour of Aberdeen’s dark history has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 6 reviews.

Reviewers have noted positive experiences, praising the tour’s insights into the city’s connections to the oil industry and its shady residents. The stories of slavery, piracy, and Aberdeen’s colorful past have also been well-received.

Some customers have suggested extending the access to the tour, allowing them to revisit the experience even after the booking date.

Aberdeen’s Connections to the Oil Industry

As per the tour overview, one of the key highlights of the self-guided smartphone walking tour of Aberdeen is its exploration of the city’s connections to the oil industry and its shady residents.

The tour delves into the history of Aberdeen’s involvement in the oil trade, uncovering tales of unscrupulous individuals who profited from this lucrative industry.

Participants will learn about the less savory aspects of the city’s past, including its links to slavery and piracy.

Through the audio guide’s insights, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of how Aberdeen’s oil industry shaped its development and attracted a diverse array of characters, some of whom were far from upstanding citizens.

Stories of Slavery, Piracy, and Colorful Past

Along With Aberdeen’s connections to the oil industry, the self-guided walking tour delves into the city’s dark and colorful past, uncovering stories of slavery, piracy, and other shady aspects of its history. Participants will learn about Aberdeen’s involvement in the slave trade, with some of its wealthy residents profiting from the cruel practice. The tour also explores the city’s history of piracy, as it was once a haven for seafaring outlaws. On top of that, the audio guide shares insights into Aberdeen’s more vibrant and eccentric characters, providing a glimpse into the city’s captivating and multifaceted past.

Shady Aspect	Details
Slavery	Aberdeen’s role in the slave trade
Piracy	The city as a haven for pirates
Colorful History	Eccentric figures and vibrant past

Insights From Local Producer Bryan Atchison

The audio guide for the self-guided walking tour features insights from local producer Bryan Atchison, who lends his expertise to bring Aberdeen’s captivating history to life.

Atchison, a renowned storyteller, weaves together tales of the city’s oil industry connections and its colorful past, delving into the shadier aspects of Aberdeen’s history.

From accounts of slavery and piracy to the city’s more vibrant exploits, Atchison’s narration provides an immersive experience for tour participants.

The audio guide allows visitors to uncover Aberdeen’s dark secrets at their own pace, supplementing the walking tour with Atchison’s captivating commentary and local insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Has This Tour Been Available?

The tour appears to have been available for some time, as it offers unlimited access before and after the booking date. However, the exact launch date is not specified in the provided information.

Is the Tour Suitable for People With Disabilities?

The tour is not explicitly stated to be suitable for people with disabilities. However, as a self-guided smartphone tour, it may be accessible for some individuals with certain mobility or sensory impairments, depending on their specific needs.

Can the Tour Be Customized for Private Groups?

While the tour isn’t specifically customized for private groups, it can be enjoyed by small groups. Visitors can coordinate with the tour provider to organize a private experience tailored to their group’s needs and interests.

What Safety Precautions Are in Place During the Tour?

The tour provides a safe, self-guided experience with offline access to maps and audio. Participants are advised to use caution and be aware of their surroundings during the walk. Safety gear like reflective vests isn’t required.

Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for Children?

The tour is suitable for adults aged 99 and younger. There are no specific age restrictions or requirements for children, but participants should bring their own headphones and fully charged smartphones.

Recap

The "Aberdeen: Dark History Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour" offers a captivating exploration of the city’s rich and intriguing past. Priced at just $6.99 per person, the 45-minute tour delves into Aberdeen’s connections to the oil industry, as well as tales of slavery, piracy, and its colorful characters. Narrated by a local storyteller, the tour provides an immersive and engaging experience for history enthusiasts.

You can check if your dates are available here: