The walk will focus on two buildings, Aberdeen Art Gallery and The University of Aberdeen Duncan Rice Library. These two buildings are contrasts - The Art Gallery was an elegant, but slightly worn building that was modernised a few years ago and now offers the best in terms of gallery spaces, cafes and architectural elegance. The Duncan Rice Library, named for the Principal who conceived it and orchestrated its construction, is an elegant modern building that is around 15 years old. The route between the two can be walked easily (approx 1 mile) and this offers the opportunity to view/photograph some of Aberdeen's commercial heritage. Alternatively, one can take buses that shorten the walk or take a car - however, this last option does require access to a parking app that allows you to pay for parking while you visit the two locations.
We will meet on the morning of March 29th in the ground floor cafe in Aberdeen Art Gallery for coffee at 1030. After a short briefing you will have the opportunity to circulate and take photographs in the art gallery. Please note in neither location are tripods allowed, so please be ready to take your pictures hand-held. Lunch can be taken in the art gallery cafe or at other locations nearby. However, for those wishing to walk to the Duncan Rice Library via various heritage sites, we will start to walk at 1 pm from the foyer of the art gallery. The aim will be to reach the Duncan Rice Library by around 3pm.
Please note that in both locations the buildings are used by members of the public and you must exercise caution not to infringe their privacy and not to disturb their pleasure in visiting/working in these buildings.
57.147969174592, -2.10236625
Meet at Aberdeen Art Gallery ground floor cafe at 1030. The Art Gallery is on Schoolhill in central Aberdeen. It is centrally located in Aberdeen and Google maps will inform you of the best bus service to get close to the building . The nearest car park is Bon Accord on Harriet Street. For the Duncan Rice Library street car parking is essential followed by a short walk - my recommendation is to use College Bounds or University Road (avoid Bedford Road, which has a bus gate - fine £50)
Both Aberdeen Art Gallery and The Duncan Rice Library have lifts to enable access to the higher floors. The walk between the two requires a modest level of fitness but does not involve a significant increase in elevation.