Sea Monsters, Myths and Real Science at Aberdeen Art Gallery
A new series of talks connects folklore of the sea with marine science.
Aberdeen has always been shaped by the sea, from its harbour and the beach to the stories told about what might lurk beneath the waves. This year’s visit of the Tall Ships will have put paid to any doubt you may have had about that.
Aberdeen Art Gallery is continuing those tales and placing them alongside real science with a fascinating series of talks this summer linked to its exhibition Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction?
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Sea monsters then and now
On Saturday 30 August, palaeontologist and writer Darren Naish will present Sea Monsters Past and Present. His talk looks at how centuries of folklore often stem from real animals, such as whales, giant squid or the fossils of ancient reptiles.
Naish is well known for making complex science accessible. He has written widely on dinosaurs, pterosaurs and prehistoric seas, and was chief scientific consultant for the Apple TV+ series Prehistoric Planet. He also curates DinoCon, the UK’s largest event celebrating palaeontology.
Studying living giants
Marine biologist John Spicer will turn attention to today’s oceans. His research focuses on how marine life functions and adapts, from microscopic organisms to the largest Antarctic species.
Spicer will give two talks in early September. The first, We saw giants!, on Wednesday 3 September, explores the challenges of studying Antarctic giants and why their survival matters. His second, What has the ocean ever done for me?, on Thursday 4 September, takes a broader look at how the sea underpins daily life, from oxygen to possible medicines. He is also visiting Lochside Academy to speak with pupils about marine science in practice.
Aberdeen’s oceanic connections
What makes these talks stand out is the voices behind them. Naish brings a fascination with how legends and fossil records intersect. Spicer is known for combining expertise with humour and openness, making complex ideas approachable.
For a coastal city, these subjects feel close to home. The talks offer a way to think differently about the North Sea and its connections to the wider world, whether through the myths we tell or the science shaping our future.
Event details
Darren Naish: Sea Monsters Past and Present
Saturday 30 August 14:00–15:00, Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen Art Gallery. £10/£7.
John Spicer: We saw giants!
Wednesday 3 September, 12:30 (45 mins), Aberdeen Art Gallery. Pay what you can.
John Spicer: What has the ocean ever done for me?
Thursday 4 September, 14:00–15:30, Aberdeen Art Gallery. Pay what you can.
Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? continues at Aberdeen Art Gallery until 26 October. Follow this link for more info and booking on this and many more Aberdeen Art Gallery events.
