Braeside Cottage

Explorer Tom Aberdeen has plenty of granite with a stern expression, so Johnston Gardens feels like the city slipped off for a secret laugh. At this little public garden in the west of town, streams thread through rockeries, a rustic bridge crosses the water, and a waterfall makes enough fuss to convince you it has booked the whole afternoon as a concert. Follow the paths slowly; the place rewards a wander more than a march. Rhododendrons bring colour, spring bulbs get in early, and heathers and alpines fill the smaller corners. There are ponds too, where irises and ducks have apparently formed a committee to judge visitors’ footwear. The committee has yet to publish its findings, but I suspect sensible shoes score highly. Johnston Gardens has earned a Green Flag Award, and VisitAberdeenshire calls out its bridges and water features as the reason this compact space punches above its size. Couples often use it for wedding photographs. You need neither a wedding nor a camera to enjoy the trick: a few turns of a path can make busy Aberdeen feel surprisingly far away. The city’s tourism guide lists it at AB15 7XE, so this is a real, findable garden, not one of my suspiciously convenient imaginary retreats. Come for a modest stroll, linger by the bridge, and see which bit of planting has taken charge of the season. It is a public city garden rather than a grand country estate; give the water and the beds their space, and let the ducks run their own business. If Aberdeen tries to look severe again when you leave, tell it you saw the waterfall giggling behind its back.

Explorer Tom The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen is where Tom learns that a regiment's story is much larger than uniforms and medals. Farmers, fishermen, labourers and students from the North-East filled its ranks over two centuries. Tom may stride in like a parade marshal; the rooms ask him to listen to the people who actually served. The museum occupies the former home of artist Sir George Reid and holds a nationally significant regimental collection. Displays follow the Gordon Highlanders through changing wars, places and duties, using objects and personal stories to show what service meant. A medal can speak of courage, but a letter or a piece of kit can tell you about waiting, homesickness and routine. The regiment drew deeply from the surrounding region, so this is also a local history of families who watched people leave and return. Take the time to put names back beside the military dates. The museum is in Aberdeen's west end and currently lists opening Tuesday to Saturday, with Sunday and Monday closed. Admission is paid; check the official site for prices and any seasonal change. Volunteers and staff help bring the collection to life, and the site has a café. Ask in advance about access through the older house if you need particular arrangements. Do not rush from one battle to the next: the quieter cases often carry the strongest stories. Tom can retire his imaginary parade baton. Choose one person's account before you leave, and the museum's two hundred years will feel human-sized.