Pittodrie Stadium

If you are thrown into a tub of French cheese, it may be a Pit’o’Brie. This is not that. But depending on who turns up to see the Dons play, it may be just as smelly.
First-​Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium — I’ve been to Pittodrie twice, but only once to watch a game. It was my 3^rd fave experience in Scottish football but only because my fave Scottish team (Celtic) got a narrow and thrilling win. One of my most memorable nights watching Celtic for sure. Then when I was on tour here in 2011, the morning after the night of my concert, I went to relive the memories and walk around the stadium. I noticed that it hasn’t changed a bit.
It’s still huge, it’s still intense, but it badly needs a makeover and perhaps to have the corners filled in. Maybe that will happen soon. If it does, this grand old stadium from the 19^th century could earn the 5^th star that I want to give it.
So when I was doing my first tour of Scotland in 2011, I also hit up every single stadium in the country. My obsession with footy (soccer to Americans) is the reason. Every stadium review — like all my reviews — are based on first-​hand personal experience, usually from multiple visits. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was «stuck» in UK for 3 months, I went to most of them yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at many of them, which I will post later. Also, when back in Scotland I plan to take more pix, and add more stadia! So watch this space!
*** return to regular review ***
The grand home of Aberdeen FC way up by the ocean in NE Scotland, this 1899 stadium holds 21k and is one of the biggest in Scotland with a fierce support. It was the first all-​seater stadium in the UK. It’s the 3^rd largest stadium being used by a top club. It has a cool granite façade. They might move to a new stadium but that would be a tragedy really since this one is so good.
It’s 15 mins from the city centre on foot and Briony has been there. it’s an expensive ticket. It could be better atmosphere-​wise if the corners were filled in but it’s one of the better stadiums in the country.
It’s very close to the sea which makes it absolutely freezing.

Pittodrie is the home of Aberdeen FC, although it may not be for much longer with the long-​planned moved to an out-​of-​town «Aberdeen Arena» still on the cards. For me, this would be a real charm, as Pittodrie has a great character that reminds me of my home town club Nottingham Forest’s City Ground. Mainly because the seats are the same colour and there’s a big stand at one end…
Aberdeen are currently undergoing a renaissance and are finally challenging Celtic for the Scottish League. The upturn in fortuntes has no doubt contributed to the bigger crowds, creating a better atmosphere on match day.
If you’re a footy fan and you get the chance to visit I would definitely recommend, as it may not be around for much longer, to be replaced by a ground with much less character and history about it than Pittodrie. If the match is dire you can always leave and head to the beach in a couple of minutes!

By total coincidence, there was a game on at Pittodrie when we were visiting Aberdeen for a weekend away. My husband, a life-​long Aberdeen fan had never been so it made sense to pop along for the Saturday afternoon game here.
It’s a handy ground if you’re in Aberdeen city centre as it’s about a 20 minute walk. The Pittodrie Bar isn’t far away and is a must-​visit for a drink before the game if you really want to get into the spirit of things. A short walk down Merkland Rd E and you’re at the ground.
Now, I’ve not been to many football grounds in my time so I’m a bit of a novice. There’s no ticket office — you just pay at the turnstiles as you go through. Be prepared to part with a huge wad of cash — £26 each for adults. We were seated in the Y stand which is on a 45 degree angle to the pitch but actually provides a really good view. If it’s raining though, try to sit somewhere else as this is the only stand at Pittodrie that isn’t undercover. Thankfully when we were there, the sun was out and it was only moderately-​bloody-​freezing (dress warm, obviously).
In this area there was a food van selling pies, hot drinks, soft drinks etc and prices were a little ridiculous (£2 for a cup of tea?!) but you don’t really have a whole lot of choice once you’re in the ground. I did try a Pittodrie pie but as I couldn’t tell what the filling actually was, just ate the pastry and left the dangerous part to Graeme.
The ladies toilets were pretty basic and absolutely freezing — they are pretty much outdoors and there was only two cubicles in the stand we were in. Not many ladies go to the football in this country though so there was never much of a wait.