Provost Skene's House
Built in the 16th century, around 1545, Provost Skene's House is one of Aberdeen's few remaining examples of early burgh architecture. The building has been altered several times, particularly in the 17th century when George Skene, after whom the house is named, is thought to have commissioned the carved plaster ceilings. In the 1930s the adjacent houses were demolished, but Provost Skene's House was saved and the interior refurbished.
Provost Skene's House is now home to an attractive series of period room settings recalling the elegant furnishings of earlier times. Visitors can see an intriguing painted ceiling in the Painted Gallery and changing fashions in the Costume Gallery. On the top floor there are changing displays of local history, coins and archaeology.
Group Bookings, Tours and Education at Provost Skene's House
If you are interested in visiting the Museums and Galleries, please see our What's On pages for an updated listing of scheduled talks and concerts as well as visitor hours located on the web page for each individual venue.
Early Years and Primary Education
At Provost Skene's House we can support the following topics:
Homes Long Ago
Jacobites (usually a joint visit with The Tolbooth Museum)
Christmas Customs
We are always happy to develop tours and visits to meet your requirements. Please call us to discuss your needs. We also offer visits linking to our special exhibitions programme.
Self-Guided Primary School Group Tours of Venues
Please download a PDF guideline for visiting Aberdeen Art Gallery. Teachers can also request a CD-Rom of images and resources to support their visit.
Secondary and Further Education
Secondary school teachers wishing to bring their class on a visit to Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums venues are advised to contact the relevant member of staff to discuss the varying subjects or to request a specific tour.
For further details, or if you are interested in scheduling a tour of Provost Skene's House, please contact:
Fiona Mair, Learning Manager
Tel: + 44 (0) 1224 523700
Fax: + 44 (0) 1224 632133
Email: fimair@aberdeencity.gov.uk
There is a regular programme of free lunchtime talks which highlight the exhibitions in the Costume Gallery, as well as giving visitors an opportunity to find out more about life at Provost Skene's House.
For more details please contact:
Alison Fraser, Lead Curator, Collections Access
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 523700
Fax: +44 (0) 1224 632133
Email: AlisonFraser@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Find Us
Provost Skene's House
Guestrow (between Broad Street and Flourmill Lane)
Aberdeen
AB10 1AS
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 641086
Fax: +44 (0) 1224 632133
Email: info@aagm.co.uk
Opening Hours
Open Monday-Saturday
10am - 5pm
Closed Sunday
Admission free
Facilities
The Cellar Café
The 17th century cellar at Provost Skene's House provides an atmospheric setting for one of the city's most popular café's. The café bar offers a variety of snacks, small meals and traditional home bakes as well as wine and Fair Trade Costa Coffee.
Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday 10am - 4:30pm
Closed Sunday
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 522743
Fax: +44 (0) 1224 632133
Crèche Services
In planning your visit to Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums, we are able to offer childcare at the Aberdeen City Council run Leaping Leopards Crèche. The Creche provides childcare for children between birth and 8 years old and is based on Queen Street, opposite Grampian Police Station.
Fees and Bookings
Crèche sessions can be booked in advance or accessed on a drop in basis.
Crèche current charges:
One hour standard rate: £2.60
Access to Leisure rate for qualifying discount cardholders: £1.30
For further information:
Leaping Leopards Crèche Service
2 Shoe Lane
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
AB10 1AL
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 626829
Email: LeapingLeopards@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Web: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/leapingleopardscreche
Accessibility
Provost Skene's House offers disabled access to the ground floor. However, access to
the upper floors is limited because Provost Skene's House is a historic
building. Guide dogs are admitted.
For more information on disabled access to Provost Skene's House please visit DisabledGo.
