University of Aberdeen
About Aberdeen, Guide and Top Tourist Attractions
(Aberdeen, Scotland)
Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, next to Glasgow and Edinburgh. Located at the mouth of the River Dee, Aberdeen is famous for its rich granite quarries, which have earned it the nickname 'Granite City'.
Its geographic location obviously accounts for much of Aberdeen's thriving economy. Aberdeen is also called the Oil Capital of Europe, because of the abundance of crude oil in its part of the North Sea, which has serviced most of Europe since the 1970s.
Present-day Aberdeen is the product of an 1891 merger between two separate boroughs, Old Aberdeen and New Aberdeen. Although the two constituents are still identifiable today, they are no longer distinct in terms of charter and administration. Old Aberdeen now carries most of the city's cultural heritage, with many of the historical buildings on its side of the land, including the site of the old King's College (now the University of Aberdeen). New Aberdeen, on the other hand, has grown from a small fishing settlement into the city's centre of commerce and trade.
What to do in Aberdeen
Aberdeen is rich in art and culture, with several museums, theatres, and cinemas dotting the city centre. If you are into art and history, a tour of the city's art galleries is certainly worth your time. The 120-year-old Aberdeen Art Gallery, already impressive by itself, hosts several classic and contemporary art exhibits year round.
Learn about Aberdeen's roots by visiting the Aberdeen Maritime Museum in Shiprow. A relatively new addition to the city's cultural collection, the museum opened in 1997 and displays old ship models, photographs of early Scottish fleets, models of ancient oil platforms, and other artefacts showcasing Aberdeen's close connection with the sea.
For something more modern, visit some of the city's live music venues. Aberdeen has a thriving music scene, with everything from yodelling choirs to rock bands performing regularly at the many bars and pubs in the area. Popular venues include The Lemon Tree and the Aberdeen Music Hall.
Tourist Attractions
Historic buildings and stunning architecture are one of Aberdeen's major highlights. Even city utilities such as the city hall and fire department are housed in magnificent buildings, and there is a fascinating story behind every structure.
Craigievar Castle is definitely worth a look. A cluster of rugged stone towers, the castle looks and feels different at different times of the year. In the summer, it looks like a large candy house with its bright colours and pointed tower peaks; when covered by snow in the winter, it turns a pale, dreamlike pink and resembles a fairytale castle.
Aberdeen is also home to a great number of parks and public gardens. Its wealth of floral treasures is said to include two million roses, three million crocuses, and 11 million daffodils. Victoria Park is known for its wide expanse of flowery landscape and a fountain made of 14 granite varieties donated by a group of Aberdeen's master granite builders. Westburn and Hazlehead Parks are great for sports enthusiasts, with facilities for football, cricket, and other outdoor sports.
