Aberdeen - West End Historic Streets

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Aberdeen's West End Historic Streets, with Agents helping Secret Squiggle recover the secret phrase he needs to exchange priceless intel outside Harlaw Academy by following his favourite West End haunts, solving the puzzles and cracking the code before enemy spies intercept the secrets.

The mission covers approximately 2.25 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll start at the junction of Holburn Street, Union Street and Alford Place, facing St James' Church, then investigate Aberdeen's swanky West End streets, Harlaw Academy, Queen's Cross, St Mary's Episcopal Church, Rubislaw Terrace and Rubislaw Place, and Nellfield Cemetery before returning to the start area.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route mainly uses paths and pavements through an urban area, but there are steps down from Rubislaw Terrace onto Rubislaw Place, plus busy roads and several junctions to cross.

Stay alert around traffic, use pedestrian crossings where possible and keep Mini Agents close whenever the operation crosses busier roads.

Getting There

By car: Start the mission at the junction of Holburn Street, Union Street and Alford Place, facing St James' Church (AB10 1NT). Park the spy-mobile at Chapel Street car park (AB10 1TF) or Hardgate car park (AB11 6YE).

By public transport: Make your way to the junction of Holburn Street, Union Street and Alford Place, facing St James' Church, to begin the operation. The circular route returns to the start area once Secret Squiggle's code-cracking crisis has been resolved.

Need the Loo?

Plan ahead, Agents - there aren't any public toilets on the route, so it's worth making a tactical comfort stop before beginning your around 2 hour operation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents can join the outdoor operation. 🐾

The route is mainly urban, with paths, pavements, busy roads to cross and steps down from Rubislaw Terrace onto Rubislaw Place. Keep canine recruits close around traffic, junctions and busier stretches, and be ready for a proper city walk through the West End.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-cracking on an empty stomach is poor espionage practice.

Refreshment stops and snack shops are limited, mainly at the start, at Clue 13 and after Clue 17. Pack enough supplies to keep your squad operational, and if the weather behaves itself, you can perch for a picnic at Clue 05.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The West End

Aberdeen's West End is one of the city's swankiest districts, often called the city's 'style mile'. Expect granite townhouses, boutique shops and cosy cafes, with many grand Victorian and Edwardian homes built from the same silver-grey granite that gives Aberdeen its 'Granite City' nickname.

Queen's Cross roundabout

At Queen's Cross roundabout, look for the bronze statue of Queen Victoria in the middle, facing west toward Balmoral. Local legend says that after dark she may appear to turn her head to look back at the city - entirely normal behaviour for a statue under surveillance.

St Mary's Episcopal Church

The route takes you into the grounds of St Mary's Episcopal Church, where there are details to spot in and around the church grounds, including a window engraving and a feature destroyed by enemy action in 1943. It's a good place to slow the mission down and take in the historic surroundings once the urgent intel has been gathered.

Nellfield Cemetery

Nellfield Cemetery gives Agents another quieter historic corner to investigate respectfully. The route points to several memorials and features here, including a bust, Alexander MacDonald's rather low-key memorial and a stone laid by the Deacon Convenor.