Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links

Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links
View from the Esplanade to the sands
Map
TypePublic Beach and Park
LocationAberdeen, Scotland
Coordinates57°9′11″N 2°4′38″W / 57.15306°N 2.07722°W / 57.15306; -2.07722
Operated byAberdeen City Council
OpenAll year
One of the many groynes that protect the beach from sand erosion
View along the beach across the sands

Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. The beach itself is famous for its golden sand and its long curved length between Aberdeen Harbour and the River Don's mouth.

The beach suffers from significant erosion of the sand so there are distinctive groyne or walls, to help keep the sand in place. The beach is popular with walkers, surfers and windsurfers.

Recently in an expensive million pound operation, sand was taken by ship from further down the coast to the south of Aberdeen and sprayed on the beach to replace some of the lost sand. Rocks were then placed in a v-shape formation to try to prevent erosion, much like the groyne.

The actual park area is called Queens Links and takes the form of a large grassy area parallel to the beach. It is popular with many people and often kite-boarders can be seen taking advantage of the strong sea winds. There is a public golf course, the Kings Links.

History

An indoor baths, or bathing station, was located here opposite the Beach Ballroom. It operated from 1898 to 1972 and was subsequently demolished.[1]

Attractions

Queens Links Leisure Park is situated in the area and contains several shops, restaurants, and a 9-screen Cineworld cinema (originally branded under Virgin Cinemas).[2][3] Adjacent to the leisure park is Codona's Amusement Park. Further north along the boulevard is the Beach Ballroom and the adjacent Beach Leisure Centre, which contains a swimming pool, and the Linx Ice Arena.[4] The area is also home to Transition Extreme.

The Beach Boulevard retail park is located here. It was purchased from Abrdn by Realty Income in February 2022.[5]

Transportation

See also: Transport in Aberdeen

Aberdeen Corporation Tramways previously operated a line to the Queen's Links.[6] The area is now accessible by bus. Previously, the beach, Footdee, and the retail park were served by a loop on route 15. In July 2022, bus routes were changed such that the beach and Footdee are no longer served by bus. Route 13 now calls at the Beach Retail Park.[7]

The Beach Esplanade runs along the coast from Queen's Links in the south to Kings Street in the north. In August 2020, a cycle lane was installed on the beach esplanade with funding from the Scottish Government's Spaces for People initiative.[8] However, Aberdeen City Council removed the cycle lane in December 2020.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Public Baths". www.mcjazz.f2s.com. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Aberdeen Cinemas". Scottish Cinemas and Theatres. Archived from the original on 25 July 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  3. ^ "the time has come for the new Virgin Cinema, Aberdeen". Evening Express. 17 July 1997. p. 14. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Beach/Queens Links". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 22 March 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  5. ^ Hebditch, Jon (24 February 2022). "Aberdeen's Beach Boulevard retail park changes hands in massive £60million sale". aberdeenlive. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Tram Routes". www.mcjazz.f2s.com. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  7. ^ Gerrard, Philippa (23 July 2022). "Devastated Fittie residents left 'stranded' after vital bus service is cancelled". Press and Journal. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Work to start next week installing cycle lanes in the beach area as part of on-going work for physical distancing and encouraging active travel". AGCC. 31 July 2020. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  9. ^ Morrice, Emma (2 March 2021). "Section of Aberdeen beach to be closed to remove final Spaces for People measures". Evening Express. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.