Six landmarks across Aberdeen will throw open their doors for this year’s Maggie’s Culture Crawl, as the popular night walk returns to the city on Friday August 28.
Now in its ninth year, the route will take hundreds of walkers dressed head-to-toe in orange past some of the city’s most recognisable buildings, with entertainment, food and a few surprises at every stop.
Since 2017, Culture Crawl has raised more than £500,000 for Maggie’s Aberdeen, with every donation going directly towards supporting people affected by cancer and their families at the centre based in the grounds of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
This year’s venues are: International School Aberdeen, The James Hutton Institute, The Gordon Highlanders Museum, His Majesty’s Theatre, Maggie’s Aberdeen and Park Inn by Radisson.
The walk begins at International School Aberdeen, founded in 1972 as the American School in the city before becoming an IB World School in 1996, where walkers will collect their t-shirts and warm up with a DJ before setting off.
From there, walkers will head to The James Hutton Institute, one of Europe's leading environmental research organisations and the breeder of the blackcurrant varieties that go into Ribena. Walkers will get a rare look behind the scenes with a tour, plus a rock choir performance to keep spirits up along the way.
Next is The Gordon Highlander Museum, housed in the former home of Scottish artist Sir George Reid. 200 years of regimental history, from the Gordon Highlanders’ formation in 1794 to their amalgamation into the British Army in 1994, will be brought to life through a self-guided tour, choir performance and refreshments in the grounds.
This year’s crawl will carry an extra special experience at His Majety’s Theatre which is celebrating 120 years in Aberdeen. Walkers will get a backstage pass to tour the venue during its landmark anniversary celebrations, along with a classic Mackie’s ice cream to enjoy along the way.
The walk then arrives at Maggie’s Centre, where a mocktail class and silent disco will give participants a chance to see first-hand where the money they’re raising goes.
Finally, the night will draw to a close in style at Park Inn by Radisson, where walkers will be welcomed with a celebratory buffet, a bucks fizz and live music from local artist Paul Black to mark the end of the crawl.
Among those taking part this year is Jeanette McPherson, who walked the route in 2025 and is returning this year as a volunteer. She said: "I’m so excited to be returning to Maggie’s Culture Crawl this year to cheer on those taking part.
“Walking it last year showed me just how much this event means to people, and I wanted to be part of that again.”
Registration costs £25 and includes a Maggie's t-shirt, refreshments, food and entertainment along the route, with participants asked to raise a minimum of £150 in sponsorship.
Places can be booked at www.maggies.org/get-involved/events/culture-crawl-aberdeen.