Aberdeen’s Summer of the Sea Explores Myths and Marine Life
Join Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums venues for a June packed with sea creatures, stories and creative workshops.
There’s something about the sea that sparks curiosity. Whether it’s the stories we tell, the artefacts we uncover, or the myths we weave, our oceans hold a unique pull. This June, Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums is inviting you to dive into a world where the line between science and story blurs.
From an exhibition of Aberdeen Harbour’s past to hands-on workshops and talks about creatures of the deep, AAGM’s summer programme offers a mix of learning, creativity and a chance to reflect on our relationship with the sea. It’s a celebration of our shared curiosity, discoveries, and the ways we make sense of the world.
Would you like to see your message here? Let's talk.
Open Road presents a screening of Meet the Buchanans, an off-beat documentary about the first Clan Buchanan Chief in over 300 years. With missing historical records, much of the inauguration ceremony is improvised, offering a fresh take on the role of Clans today.
Join director Barbara Orton and Professor Alison Lumsden for a post-screening Q&A. Catch it at Fittie Community Hall on Friday 6 June at 7pm, doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets are £5, pay by card or cash.
From Myths to Modern Science
One highlight of the programme is Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction?, which opened in May. Set within the Art Gallery’s special exhibition spaces, it draws on medieval maps, folklore, and contemporary science. Expect encounters with deep-sea oddities like narwhal skulls, megalodon teeth, and a Feegee mermaid. It’s a journey through centuries of sea monster sightings, made all the more intriguing by today’s technology revealing what truly lurks beneath.
A BSL-interpreted tour on 19 June will explore these themes, while Dr Charles Paxton’s lunchtime talk on 4 June offers a deep dive into the evidence behind sea monster sightings. “Statistical analysis indicates that there is evidence of large animals to be discovered in the sea, and that witnesses are sharing real experiences—even if they might not actually have spotted a mysterious creature,” Paxton says.
Harbour Stories and Artistic Encounters
Opening on 8 June, From the Archive: Aberdeen Harbour invites visitors to look at how the city’s waterfront has transformed over the last century. Using rarely seen photos from the Port of Aberdeen’s archive, the display highlights the interplay between change and continuity, showcasing snapshots of industry at work mixed with scenes that feel closer to home.
Also opening this month, All Fired Up: The Art and Science of Ceramics (from 14 June) showcases over 170 ceramic works from the Sandy Dunbar collection. While not strictly about the sea, the collection’s exploration of craft mirrors the curiosity seen in other exhibitions. Dunbar’s comment, “I am now deeply interested,” captures that same sense of wonder seen throughout AAGM’s summer events.
Workshops, Talks and Storytelling
Musical Memories returns with sessions on 13 and 27 June for those living with dementia and their families. Stitching with the UFOs on 3 June invites you to join a local stitching group and contribute to an ongoing communal project, whether by finishing your own piece or adding to the collective work.
For a mix of art and conversation, Inspired Gallery Meets on 20 June will bring photographer and illustrator Flying Lion to the Art Gallery for a playful workshop on creating sea creature-inspired illustrations. Families can also take part in Creature Crafts on 21 June during Welcome to Aberdeen Art Gallery. It’s part of Refugee Festival Scotland, where postcards, crafts and music will fill the space with stories from home and abroad.
Bringing the Sea to Life
On 18 June, the Maritime Museum hosts a talk on how decommissioned oil rigs and renewable energy structures can serve as artificial reefs, with speakers from the University of Aberdeen and National Decommissioning Centre. This talk offers a fresh look at how industry and environment intersect.
Film fans can join a screening of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World on 28 June, brought by Belmont Community Cinema Ltd. Set against the backdrop of Napoleonic naval warfare, the screening anchors the month’s seafaring theme with adventure and storytelling.
A Quiet Invitation
If all this talk of sea monsters and maritime history feels a bit much, there’s space for gentler encounters too. Baby Boogie on 14 June offers little ones and their carers a morning of music and movement, while Artroom with Grampian Hospitals Art Trust takes place on multiple dates throughout June for adults looking to experiment with materials and techniques in a welcoming setting.
Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums’ summer programme blends the playful with the profound, weaving together stories of science, art, history and community life. Whether you’re there to pore over archives, craft a creature, or simply share a story over a coffee, there’s a sense of discovery waiting just beneath the surface.
For more details on all these shows and events, head to the Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums what's on page.
