From Arbroath, Karl travelled to Aberdeen. His short visit made the news in two Aberdeen papers:

“Creelman, who is a bright and vigorous looking young fellow, is on his way to John o’Groats and will return by the West Coast to Glasgow ‘doing’ the Trossachs en route. He called at Aberdeen Town House in the course of yesterday afternoon having a letter of introduction to Mr Brown, of the City Chamberlain's office and showed his ‘credentials’ to a number of Town Counsellors” (Aberdeen Firsthand News).

“Arriving in Dundee, he proceeded to Aberdeen, where he arrived yesterday (May 21, 1901). Creelman has cycled 11,915 miles and has walked 1400 miles. After remaining in Aberdeen for a short time, during which he visited the Town House, Post Office and other places, the tourist left for Inveraray. From there, he proceeds to John O’Groats and then to Glasgow, London, and the Continent, arriving home in November of this year. Among others, Creelman carries a letter of recommendation from Sir Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada” (Aberdeen Press).

Karl’s “credentials” consisted of five separate letters from distinguished Canadians endorsing his character as he set out around the world:

The earliest letter was dated April 11th 1899 and typed on the letterhead of the Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia, signed by George Henry Murray*, Premier of Nova Scotia.
To whom it may concern: I take pleasure in certifying that the bearer, Karl M. Creelman, is a citizen of the Province of Nova Scotia, and a young man who has always borne an excellent character. I feel sure that he will not be ungrateful for any attention or consideration shown to him.
On the letterhead of the Privy Council Canada, dated April 20th 1899, was a typed letter from Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister.
To whom it may concern: I take pleasure in certifying that the bearer, Karl M. Creelman, is a citizen of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada and from all the reports I have, a young man who has always borne an excellent character, and deserving of all the attention and consideration that may be shown to him.
Dated April 21st 1899, was a handwritten letter signed by Firman McClure, the Colchester County Representative at the House of Commons.
I have much pleasure in certifying that the bearer Mr Karl. M Creelman is a native born Nova Scotian. He and his family have resided in Colchester County, Nova Scotia where they have each and all borne the highest character. I can confidently recommend him to anyone to whom this is presented as a young man who can be trusted to the fullest extent.
Interestingly, handwritten beneath this assertion of the Creelmans' character was an attestation of Mr McClure’s prominence, signed by Richard William Scott, Secretary of State, Canada.
I certify that the writer of the above, Mr Firman McClure is a Minister of the House of Commons of Canada representing Colchester County Nova Scotia and a gentleman whose recommendation of Mr Creelman may be accepted with the fullest confidence.
On the letterhead of the Town Office of Truro, Nova Scotia was a typed letter dated April 25th 1899, from the Mayor of Truro, George W. Stuart.
To the world at large, Our young friend and townsman Karl M. Creelman who is about to attempt a cycling trip around the globe on his own resources, not for the purpose of earning a wager having naught of the gambling nature in his composition, but for the higher and more laudable object of learning wisdom and seeing the world. I take pleasure in declaring him one of our best boys, and seeing him return in manhood and the accomplishment of his aims.
Lastly, dated June 19, 1899 –– while Karl was in Montreal –– is a typed letter from Brenton A. Macnab, Assistant Managing Editor of the Montreal Daily and Weekly Star:

To whom it may concern; Having personal knowledge of Mr Creelman and being convinced of the bona fides of his undertaking, I have no hesitation in recommending him to the consideration of newspaper men. There is “good copy” to be had out of a talk with him.

I credit Karl with a lot of foresight for requesting these letters in advance of his global travels. I haven’t found any documentation on how or why he solicited these letters. Presumably, the Mayor of Truro and the Colchester House of Common representative would have been familiar to Karl or his family. Still, the Premier and the Prime Minister are much more prominent and would have taken some effort by Karl to receive such a letter.

Conversely, my credentials have included an updated passport, visas for specific countries and ‘WhatsApp numbers’ for local connections shared by friends and colleagues. I didn’t consider requesting letters from local, provincial, or federal politicians anticipating that I’d neither be successful nor, sadly, that such letters wouldn’t impart any influence.

*George Henry Murray served as the eighth premier of Nova Scotia for 26 years and 188 days, the longest unbroken tenure for head of government in Canadian History.

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The Karl Journey is now registered as an official expedition with the Royal Geographical Society