Tolbooth Museum

The old prison on Castlegate isn't what you'd expect from a museum - it's genuinely unsettling in the best possible way. This 17th-century tolbooth held some truly grim characters, and the staff haven't softened it up for modern sensibilities. You're walking through actual cells where people were locked away, and the narrow stone corridors still feel claustrophobic.

What strikes you most is how small everything is. The cells are barely wider than a cupboard, and you can touch the walls where prisoners carved their names and dates. There's a proper gallows room upstairs - they didn't hide that away - and the exhibition explains Aberdeen's criminal history with a refreshing lack of sentimentality. It's dark, sometimes harsh, occasionally darkly funny.

Take about an hour here if you're genuinely interested in local history and crime in the 1600s-1800s. History enthusiasts and older kids will find it absorbing. Younger children might find it a bit oppressive, though some cope fine depending on temperament. Admission is free, which is brilliant.

It sits right in Aberdeen's city centre, minutes from the harbour and other attractions. If you're based at Seaview Caravan Park south of the city, it's an easy drive in. Pair it with a walk along the Dee or a visit to the nearby castle - you can easily spend a day exploring this corner of Aberdeen without backtracking.