Aberdeen Music Hall, Aberdeen (must see)

The Aberdeen Music Hall, located on Union Street in the heart of the city, is one of Scotland’s oldest and most significant concert venues. Originally designed as the Assembly Rooms by renowned Aberdeen architect Archibald Simpson in 1820, the building was completed in 1822. It transformed into a concert hall in 1859 and has since been a cornerstone of Aberdeen's cultural scene. A historic venue, the Music Hall hosted Aberdeen’s first cinema screening in September 1896. It also houses a bronze plaque memorializing the citizens of Aberdeen who served in the Spanish Civil War.

The Music Hall reopened in 2018 after undergoing a major redevelopment. Its main auditorium, known for its excellent acoustics, seats 1,300 and regularly welcomes performances by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. The venue also plays host to the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and a variety of pop and rock acts, having seen performances by icons like David Bowie, Emeli Sandé, Led Zeppelin, and Iron Maiden.

In addition to the main auditorium, the Music Hall features two smaller spaces, the Big Sky Studio and the Tutti Creative Learning Studio, offering versatile spaces for events and community engagement. Operated by Aberdeen Performing Arts, alongside His Majesty's Theatre and The Lemon Tree, the Music Hall continues to serve as a vital hub for concerts, comedy shows, and cultural events, embodying nearly 200 years of Aberdeen's rich musical and community life.