I really like this Ortak store. Its a great size and in a really handy spot in the Bon Accord…read moreCentre. They stock some really lovely jewellery and it is always my first choice when I'm shopping for friends birthdays/special occasions. I remember buying a Terramundi pot from Ortak for my friends engagement. I really love these pots- such a good idea although you can buy them elsewhere. The selection of silver jewellery attracts me usually. I also like there ornaments, I bought my friend a lovely green frog which she loved. They also have some really nice handmade birthday/anniversary cards that are great if you want something less mainstream. You really pay for what you get here.

This is a really lovely gift shop. They stop there own brand goods which are excellent quality as…read morewell as other brands such as Willow Tree, Terimundi and lots of Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired jewelery, ornaments and picture frames. They sell items to suit all price ranges. They stock beautiful items perfect for wedding gifts or baby gifts. They offer a complementary gift wrap service. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

Positives: It is M+S. Also was there on a 50% off selected…read moreitems sale. Negatives: Clothing was all over the place, incorrect sizes on incorrect hangers. Store felt cramped and they had people sweeping/cleaning with tons of customers in store - poor timing in an already crowded store. Tea-room had a dicebel level louder than a L. Zeppelin concert. But ... it is M+S and I love it. The cakes by the slice were a million calories each and sublime ...

I'm a huge fan of their ready-made sandwiches and pastas in the ground floor foods section. I never…read moreimagined I would rave about a ham, cheese and pickle sandwich, but there is something quite special about the British and their sandwiches. The food sections is quite expensive and products are exclusively branded/produced (?) by M&S, but the selection is large and diverse. Shopping here for food, I imagine, is as close as I get to having a Whole Foods-like shopping experience in Aberdeen. They have some ethical and environment- friendly services and products, i.e. fairtrade coffee and tea and 10p shopping bags. The clothes and home sections on the first and upper levels are rather ordinary. Clothing styles are more traditional and nothing too fashion forward. They have a little bit of everything, mostly basics.

been here twice, and i have to say ive never been to a friendlier cafe! everyone here is so beyond…read moresweet, and the food is amazing. my favorite to get is the dirty chai latte and its AMAZING. jessica especially is such a doll, shes been so helpful and always a great laugh. definitely coming back when i visit!!

A few paces away from my old home in Aberdeen, Books and Beans was always a welcome sight. Even…read morewhen I wasn't going in as a customer it was nice to walk by and see open windows framing folks reading books and sipping their lattes or friends chatting over their pastries. I did go in several times to do some writing for my Masters Dissertation, when I didn't want to spend another day in the library or just needed a change of pace. (I will say, this cafe isn't the best for super focused working. The volume was a bit too loud, with various conversations happening in different corners and music playing as well. I was on occasion able to find a nook that gave me a bit more privacy and quiet though.) I also brought friends in to try my neighborhood spot, and then we would be those people chatting away. My usual choice was their chai latte, it was not too sweet, creamy, and well spiced. The overall vibe was just so cheery and cosy, with walls of used books for perusing and purchase, yellow paint, and windows out onto Belmont St for Grade A people-watching. Super cool that all of their coffee and tea is FairTrade, and they're the only independent, fully fair trade coffee shop in Aberdeen. Woop, I'll keep supporting them for sure. Can't wait for my next visit this summer!

Was back home in Aberdeenshire for a wee break and my parents took us in here for a bite to eat. I…read morecan't recommend this place highly enough! I added it myself as its so good. The cafe was a trip down memory lane for me. The others had enormous scones, I had a HUGE girdle scone (jist like Grunny's) with jam and a massive home made fudge biscuit which was to die for. All washed down with a pot of tea, magic. The garden centre itself is the best I've seen, it's spotless, so well organised and well stocked up. If you're in the Banchory area 'nip in' for a cuppa!

A strange combination of souvenir tat cum stationery shop and tea room, the Corner House is…read moresituated in prime position in Aboyne to have completely cornered (sorry, couldn't resist the pun) the lunchtime market. As well as the expected tartan & heather souvenir stuff, they have some nice jewellery, handbags, scarves, novelty mugs, kids' toys, candles, stuffed toys, stationery and other household essentials like lightbulbs. They have a fondness for plaques with witty aphorisms, such as 'sometimes wine is the answer to life's questions'... you get the idea. Down one side of the shop is the tearoom cafe, which is one of the few lunch options available in Aboyne, so consequently it does a roaring trade and gets very busy. We just had soup and a sandwich, but it was nice home-made soup, and the coffee wasn't too shabby either.

This shop mainly stocks kitchenware. They have all the kitchen gadgets you can imagine (and some…read moreyou can't). Lots of fantastic brand names. They also sell other gifts such as ornaments, jewelery, keyrings and stationery. At the rear of the shop is a cafe which is great for lunches. It serves Costa coffee, cakes, salads, paninis and sandwiches. It has a couple of play tables to entertain the kids. All in all a nice shop.

We have lived for years in Aberdeen and this has been the first time we visited the Aberdeen Art…read moreGallery. The building is lovely inside with a nice shop and a couple of decent cafes. We went solely for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition on the second floor. Hence, no observations on the art work, other than that the special exhibition was excellent.

Aberdeen Art Gallery is especially strong for 20th Century British, with interesting pictures by…read moreSpencer, Eardley and the Scottish Colourists. There are a number of decent Victorian paintings and a good clutch of French Impressionists including work by Bonnard, Renoir and Tolouse-Lautrec. There is a good collection of drawings on display too, and some exquisite glassware. The building is beautiful and offers access to the handsome Cowdray Hall, and war memorial.

Nicest ladies working here. Lots of classic ladies' and mens' wear. High quality cashmere and…read morewoolen products to keep you warm. This clothing is manufactured to last. I think polyester would be a rude word to utter in this store. I love this place - went to the one in Edinburgh a year or two ago and this time in Aberdeen. Solid, classy wear.