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The granite gateway of Torry Battery beside its low walls under a blue sky.
Aberdeen

Torry Battery

A granite artillery fort of 1860 on the headland above Aberdeen harbour, now one of the best places in Britain to watch bottlenose dolphins.

Welcome

On the green headland at the mouth of Aberdeen harbour, the granite walls of Torry Battery look out over the North Sea.

The fort was finished in 1860 to guard the harbour, with nine great guns trained on the sea approach, and it served the city through both world wars before it was stood down in 1956.

Today its gateway and walls enclose a grassy square, and the reason most people come is out on the water. The harbour mouth below is one of the best places in Britain to see bottlenose dolphins. On most days there is a good chance of seeing them, often very close to the rocks, and seals, porpoises and even whales pass by too.

Greyhope Bay, a café and community centre in a converted shipping container, sits in the ruins, with warm drinks and big windows onto the sea. The coast path runs on to the lighthouse at Girdle Ness.

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The Daily for 1 November, from Scotland with love. A misty lane runs past slate-roofed cottages toward a wooded hillside.
Not farThe Craftsman CompanyA coffee and ale house on Guild Street in Aberdeen, with brunch and lunch by day, 17 draught beers, and live music at the weekend.1 mileSee itThe granite front of the Craftsman Company on the corner of Guild Street, its door open and its name in the windows.
Before you go

The headland and fort are open at any time.

The Greyhope Bay café keeps its own hours.

Where
Greyhope Road, Torry, AB11 8QX.
Built
1860.
Dolphins
Seen most days.

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Where it is

On Greyhope Road on the headland at the south side of Aberdeen harbour mouth, AB11 8QX.

Close byAberdeen.
  1. Lahore Karahi's front at 145 King Street: a black sign with the name in red over three arched windows in a granite wall.Lahore Karahi1 mile as the crow flies
  2. Golfers on the Balnagask links, the Girdle Ness lighthouse and the sea beyond.Balnagask Golf Course2 miles 5 min by road
  3. Gothic granite façade with pointed arched windows beside Aberdeen Maritime Museum's glass entranceAberdeen Maritime MuseumThe harbour's story.3 miles 9 min by road
  4. Aberdeen BeachAberdeen BeachTwo miles of sand to the north.4 miles 11 min by road
  5. FootdeeFootdeeThe fishermen's squares across the water.4 miles 12 min by road
Directions
Barista serving from a corrugated steel shipping container coffee standCafeFoodstory Beach Hut1.1 miles as the crow flies
Toasted sandwich with salad and chips on a café tableCafeCafe Ahoy1.2 miles as the crow flies
Aberdeen's Mercat Cross stands beneath dark clouds with birds overheadAttractionsMercat Cross1.3 miles as the crow flies
The granite front of the Craftsman Company on the corner of Guild Street, its door open and its name in the windows.CafeThe Craftsman Company1.4 miles
Salad of sliced pear, cured ham, walnuts and edible flowers on white plateRestaurantsFaffless1.4 miles as the crow flies
Chocolate sauce taps beside a Mackie's 19.2 menu card and conesCafeMackie's 19.21.5 miles as the crow flies
Wire mesh otter sculpture perched on a pole against a glass office buildingAttractionsMarischal Square1.5 miles as the crow flies
Plates of seafood at Bistro Verde seen from above on a wooden table: langoustines with salad, scallops, smoked salmon bites and a bowl of fries.RestaurantsBistro Verde1.5 miles
Restaurant dining room with globe pendant lights and tall windows overlooking stone wallsRestaurantsMoonfish Café1.5 miles as the crow flies

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