Trees in the arboretum at Cruickshank Botanic Garden, with the spires of St Machar's Cathedral behind

Where to go · Aberdeen

Forest bathing at Cruickshank Botanic Garden

The University of Aberdeen's botanic garden in Old Aberdeen, with an arboretum beside St Machar's Cathedral.

The Cruickshank Botanic Garden belongs to the University of Aberdeen and sits in Old Aberdeen, about three miles from the city centre, beside St Machar's Cathedral. Alongside the Sunken Garden and the Rock Garden it has an arboretum, a collection of labelled trees where the cathedral spires show between the branches. It is a garden rather than a forest, but the arboretum is a calm place to slow down among mature trees in the middle of the city.

The main entrance is off The Chanonry, and entry is free. It opens daily, with longer hours from April to September, and closes over Christmas and New Year. Parking nearby is limited, so it is easier to come by bus or on foot from King Street or the High Street. The arboretum and Sunken Garden are not wheelchair accessible, and the garden has no public toilets at present; there are toilets and a coffee shop at The Hub across St Machar Drive.

Practical

Managed by
University of Aberdeen
Parking
Limited on-street parking near St Machar's Cathedral and Tillydrone Avenue; university car parks at weekends
Terrain
Garden paths and grass; arboretum not wheelchair accessible
Nearest station
Aberdeen, about 10 minutes by car
Facilities
No public toilets in the garden at present; toilets and coffee shop at The Hub nearby
Opening and entry
Free; open daily, shorter hours October to March, closed over Christmas and New Year
Official page
abdn.ac.uk

Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.

Guides nearby

A guide within 15 miles of Cruickshank Botanic Garden

More woodlands in Aberdeen

All venues in Aberdeen
Wide view across Countesswells on the western edge of AberdeenCountesswellsWide forest tracks, Scots pine and young broadleaves on the city's western edgePath at the entrance to the woods at the Den of Maidencraig, AberdeenDen of MaidencraigSmall nature reserve with ancient woodland in a steep den, wetland and a pondTrees at Hazlehead Park, AberdeenHazlehead ParkLarge wooded city park with woodland paths beyond the gardens and café

Photos: Countesswells, Tristan Ferris (CC BY 2.0); Den of Maidencraig, Ralph Greig (CC BY-SA 2.0); Hazlehead Park, David Lecore (CC BY-SA 2.0).