A rather deprived district of N Aberdeen, Tillydrone (known locally as 'Tilly') lies a half-mile (0.8 km) northwest of Old Aberdeen and 1½ miles (2.5 km) north northwest of the city centre. Tillydrone is bounded to the northeast by the River Don and Seaton Park, to the north by Hayton Road, to the west by the railway line, to the south by St. Machar Drive and to the east by the University of Aberdeen. The district comprises a public housing estate built by the City Architect's Department 1968-75 and is composed of blocks of high flats and terraced housing. Designated as a priority regeneration neighbourhood by the local authority, Tillydrone has a number of community services including a library, family centre, housing office, health clinic, police office and community centre There is only one primary school, Riverbank, since St. Machar's Primary School closed in 2008, and St. Machar Academy lies immediately to the south. Tillydrone is also home to Aberdeen Lads Club, founded in 1924 to promote the moral, social and physical well-being of young people.
The early 17th C. Benholm's Lodging lies on Tillydrone Avenue, high above the River Don, having been moved from the city centre in the 1960s.
