By Andy, founder
The North East winter is long and dark, but it has its own magic: crisp mornings on the beach, frost on the granite and a warm welcome by the fire. If you've been waiting for the right moment to meet someone, the quieter months are a good time to do it. Here are some easy winter dates to try.
Out in the weather
Take a crisp walk on the beach
A bright, frosty morning on Aberdeen beach or at Balmedie is one of the best things about a North East winter. Walking side by side takes the pressure off, and it's easy to extend if it's going well.
Watch the sun come up over the North Sea
Aberdeen faces east, and in winter the sunrise comes late enough to catch without an alarm at dawn. Find a spot on the beach or at Girdle Ness and bring a flask.
Get out to Deeside
Deeside in winter, with frost on the trees and snow on the hills, is beautiful. A short walk and a warm café in Banchory or Ballater makes a lovely day date.
Warm and cosy
Find a fireside pub
From the city to the villages, there are plenty of pubs with a log fire and a quiet corner. For a first date, a weekday afternoon is ideal: calm, unhurried and easy to leave after one drink if you'd like to.
Visit the Winter Gardens or a museum
The Winter Gardens at Duthie Park are warm whatever the weather, and the Art Gallery and Maritime Museum are free. Talking about what you're looking at is a natural icebreaker.
Share a proper afternoon tea
A tearoom on a dreich afternoon is hard to beat. Add a buttery or a slice of cake, and you've got something to talk about straight away.
Festive and seasonal
From late November, the city and towns across the shire light up for Christmas, with markets, carol concerts and late-night shopping. A stroll round the lights with a hot chocolate makes a lovely early date. And at Hogmanay, the Stonehaven Fireballs are a New Year's night out you won't forget.
A few winter tips
- Check opening times. Many places keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.
- Plan for the dark. It's dark by mid-afternoon in December, so a lunchtime date is often easier.
- Check the roads. Snow and ice can close routes out to Deeside and Buchan, so have a plan B.
- Dress for the weather. Nobody is at their best cold and soaked.
- Stay safe. Meet somewhere public and make your own way there. Our guide to dating safely has more.
Looking for more ideas? Our first date ideas in Aberdeen work all year round.
- date-ideas
- winter
- aberdeen
