Monsters of the Deep Unleashed at Aberdeen Art Gallery
Dive into centuries of sea myths and marine science in this immersive summer exhibition.
A new exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery dives into the murky waters of fear, folklore, and the facts behind our oldest sea legends. Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? opens tomorrow (17 May) and runs until 26 October, inviting visitors to explore everything from medieval sea serpents to modern scientific discoveries.
Timed to build excitement ahead of the Tall Ships Races arriving in July, the exhibition mixes maritime mystery with hard science. It draws on a rich selection of items—from preserved sea creatures to early maps—to uncover the stories we’ve told for centuries about what lurks beneath the waves.
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Set sail with Anything Goes, presented by AOC Productions at the Tivoli Theatre from May 28–31, 2025. This timeless musical comedy aboard the SS American features madcap antics, mistaken identities, and show-stopping tunes.
Don’t miss this dazzling voyage of love and laughter on the high seas—where anything truly goes! Book your tickets today!
Sea Creatures, Legends and the Science Behind Them
Inside the gallery, expect to come face to face with fascinating and unsettling exhibits. These include the skull of a killer whale, the spindly limbs of a Japanese spider crab, and the double tusks of a narwhal. There’s also the unmistakably strange Feegee mermaid, a half-fish, half-monkey curiosity that once fooled Victorian audiences.
One of the centrepieces is the enormous tooth of an extinct megalodon, offering a rare glimpse into the scale of some real-life sea monsters. Alongside the specimens, visitors can see the tools and technology scientists use to explore the deep, from remote submersibles to sonar mapping.
Curator Helen Fothergill said the exhibition paired nicely with Aberdeen’s summer maritime celebration. “With a fascinating combination of medieval maps, preserved sea creatures and artworks, Monsters of the Deep sets the scene for the city’s summer. When you feel the need to come face-to-face with a mermaid or discover what lurks beneath the waves, head for Aberdeen Art Gallery.”
Interactive Experiences and Family-Friendly Fun
Visitors can try building their own sea monster stories in a creative space designed for all ages. A cosy Victorian reading nook invites you to settle in with a classic tale, and kids can explore hands-on activities during family sessions with the team from Macduff Marine Aquarium.
The exhibition is part of a wider programme that includes film screenings in collaboration with Belmont Cinema, talks by guest scientists and storytellers, and a British Sign Language tour led by Trudi Collier on 19 June.
Things get underway on 21 May with a free lunchtime talk at the Maritime Museum by Dr Mitchall Lennan, who will discuss environmental law and ocean conservation.
More Than Just a Scare
At its heart, the exhibition is about more than monsters. It asks why we create these creatures in the first place—and what they tell us about our hopes, fears and the cultures that shape them.
The exhibition was developed in Aberdeen by Helen Fothergill and the team at Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums. It’s based on an original concept from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, and includes loans from institutions including the University of Aberdeen, Loch Ness Centre, Viktor Wynd’s Museum of UnNatural History, and the Natural History Museum.
Visit the Exhibition
Monsters of the Deep runs from 17 May to 26 October at Aberdeen Art Gallery. Entry is £10 for adults, £7 for concessions and free for under 12s. A £14 pass is also available for repeat visits.
Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 4pm on Sundays. For more details, including event listings and tickets, visit the Aberdeen Art Gallery website.
