As Aberdeen gets ready to welcome the Tall Ships fleet to the city from 19 - 21 July, a major new special exhibition opens to the public at the Art Gallery on Saturday 17 May.
Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction? invites visitors on a journey from medieval imaginings to modern-day discoveries through a combination of legend, folklore and science.
From a Feegee mermaid, to the spindly legs of a Japanese spider crab, there are many strange and wonderful things on display. Visitors will come face to face with the skull of the world’s largest warm-blooded predator, the killer whale, the tooth of an extinct megalodon and the double-tusked skull of a narwhal. Eerie deep-sea specimens from across the globe will be displayed, as well as some of the technological tools scientists use today to explore the ocean floor.
Councillor Martin Greig, and Curator Helen Fothergill pictured at Monsters of the Deep exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery. Credit: Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums.
What to expect
There’s a wealth of activities to enjoy at the Art Gallery and Maritime Museum, inspired by Monsters of the Deep. From a British Sign Language (BSH) exhibition tour, talks by intrepid explorers, scientists and the curator of the UnNatural History Museum, to creative sessions and hands-on family fun with Macduff Marine Aquarium, and classic monsters-inspired film screenings with the Belmont Cinema. There’s something for all-ages to enjoy.
The exhibition is based on one originated by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall and has been re-imagined for Aberdeen by Helen Fothergill, Service Manager, Aberdeen Archive, Gallery and Museums, and her team of curators and exhibition officers. The many lenders to the exhibition include the University of Aberdeen, Loch Ness Centre, Viktor Wynd’s Museum of UnNatural History, Natural History Museum, National Museums Scotland, National Maritime Museum Cornwall and the University of Southampton.
When Aberdeen was confirmed as a destination for the Tall Ships Races, the Archives, Gallery & Museums team immediately set about bringing this amazing exhibition, originated by the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, to the city. With a fascinating combination of medieval maps, preserved sea creatures and artworks, Monsters of the Deep sets the scene for the city’s summer of maritime celebrations.
We've been able to work with some wonderful and supportive people during the development of this project and could not have done it without the help of our partners and willing lenders. So when you feel the need to come face-to-face with a mermaid or discover what really lurks beneath the waves, head for Aberdeen Art Gallery!
With the opening of Monsters of the Deep, we’re just weeks away from welcoming the Tall Ships to Aberdeen. There’s a tremendous sense of organisations pulling together to showcase the best of Aberdeen and we’re grateful to the many partners who have supported the exhibition, including the University of Aberdeen Collections for important objects loans and the Friends of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums for supporting talks by Darren Naish and Viktor Wynd as part of the public programme of events.
The summer in Aberdeen is set to be full of exciting maritime-related things to do, including the second year of Festival of the Sea. I hope that as many people as possible will enjoy the celebrations.
Find out more
Monsters of the Deep: Science Fact or Fiction is located in the Special Exhibition area of Aberdeen Art Gallery, and will be displayed from Saturday 17 May – Sunday 26 October 2025.
The exhibition will have special opening times during the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen, with extended opening until 8pm (instead of the regular 5pm) from Friday 19 – Sunday 21 July.
Full programme details are available on the Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums website.