Small Adventures
August 9, 2026
Small Adventures
This week has been full of small adventures — the kind that make settling into a new place feel both charming and unpredictable.
Carol, a friend from church, and her husband took me to Fittie, a former fishermen’s
village near the Port of Aberdeen. It isn’t really a fishermen’s village anymore, but it still carries the charm of what it once was. Today it’s a mix of shops, holiday homes, and regular residences. The houses are small — tiny, really — but each one has a beautiful garden tucked beside it. The whole area is both cute and quietly lovely.
One of the homes was for sale, and it seems these little cottages come with very big price tags. Of course, being right on the beach and next to a lively entertainment area explains it. As they say, “location, location, location.”
Several churches still operate in Fittie. The FootDee Mission meets every
Sunday and Wednesday evening. The area was originally called FootDee — the foot of the River Dee — but over time the name contracted into the friendlier “Fittie.”
This week I also visited the Maritime Museum on ShipRow Lane. The museum was excellent. With Aberdeen’s deepwater harbor, the city has a long maritime history. Until about 1970, the local economy relied on fishing, trading (textiles, timber, and paper), and shipbuilding. The textile, paper, shipbuilding industries have faded away, but timber continues thanks to the vast forests of northern Scotland. In the 1970s, oil and gas exploration began in the North
Sea, reshaping Aberdeen’s identity. Now, as oil and gas production declines — partly due to environmental concerns and partly due to reduced reserves — the city is trying to pivot toward renewable energy, including wave-powered electricity. Aberdeen’s economy feels like it’s standing at a crossroads.
I think I’ve finally gotten my phone sorted out. Last weekend I purchased an eSIM with my UK debit card, but the eSIM wouldn’t load correctly. After staring at my phone far too long, I realized I already had an eSIM — my U.S. number. After consulting my IT advisor (Chris), I went to the Vodafone store and got a physical SIM card. Back at the apartment, I tried to cancel the eSIM, but none of Vodafone’s digital methods worked. Vodafone insists everything must be done online; you can’t speak to a human, only to Tobi, their AI helper. After a full day of trying, I trudged back to Vodafone, prepared to play the confused old lady who couldn’t manage their system. Thankfully, I found a very helpful employee who seemed to straighten everything out. I’m still waiting to see what the next Vodafone invoice(s) look like.
I’m settling in enough now that I’m eating out occasionally. On one of my Vodafone trips, I passed a Five Guys. Those hamburgers looked so good that I stopped in afterward. The burger was delicious. After my second Vodafone visit, I decided to eat out again. I considered Five Guys but thought I should try something different. A sign for Scottish High Tea caught my eye, so I ordered it. According to this restaurant, Scottish High Tea includes fish and chips, peas (not mushy ones, thankfully), a pastry, and tea. Apparently, Scottish High Tea is a real thing, though what’s served varies widely. Some places offer cakes and cookies with tea; others include a hot dish like a meat pie or fish and chips. Mine was wonderful.
My confusion led me to research the difference between afternoon tea and high tea. I always thought high tea was fancier, but I was wrong. Afternoon tea is the elegant one — finger sandwiches, scones, cookies, and strong tea, usually served between 3 and 5. High tea is a hearty meal for the working class, served between 5 and 7, with meat pies, sausages, bread and butter, and strong tea. The terms “high” and “low” tea (afternoon tea) refer to the height of the table the meal is served on.
Trying to add some structure to my week, I looked for a place to volunteer. I’m within walking distance of the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH), so I emailed them to ask if they take volunteers. I expect a polite “thank you, but no thanks,” since they usually want someone who can stay longer than two months. But I figured it was worth asking.
Little by little, Aberdeen is beginning to feel familiar. Between tiny cottages, maritime history, phone misadventures, and unexpected meals, I’m finding my rhythm here. I’m grateful for the small discoveries, the kind people, and the chance to explore this beautiful corner of Scotland.
Aberdeen Weather Cloudy
High 68 F (20C), Low 50 F (10C)
Sunrise: 5:22 Sunset: 9:03 (21:03)
Hours of Daylight: 15 hours and 41 minutes
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