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Aberdeen provides an explosion of amazing scenery from an ancient waterfront on its eastern coast to the spectacular Grampian Mountains in the west. With so so many sights to take in, it’s a good idea to get a hire car from Aberdeen Airport. As it’s the third biggest city in Scotland, expect Aberdeen to have a diversity of cosmopolitan merits from the arts to old relics and countless opportunities for shopping. This area of Aberdeen and the Grampian mountains is the home of that mad drawer of crowds and whisky lovers, the Malt Whisky Trail. Once you have recovered from tasting the world famous whiskies of eight distilleries, then it’s time to explore the Castle Trail amidst the breathtaking views of this wonderful region. There is a huge range of activities including golf, fishing, skiing, whisky tasting and much more on offer here in this picturesque region of Scotland.
Don’t be surprised to find a celebration or festival to be going on during your trip to Aberdeen. Visitors and locals often get together to celebrate the region’s history with traditional entertainment and events such as the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games. Otherwise known as the “Friendly Games” they are held each year on the 4th Saturday of August at Strathdon in Aberdeenshire. Other events worth attending whilst visiting Aberdeen include, the Aberdeen Jazz Festival (March), the Braemar Telemark Festival (March), the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (April-May), the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (June), The Wickerman, Tartan Day and the Stonehaven Fireball Festival. The Stonehaven festival is one of few remnants of an east coast fire festival traditionally held to welcome in the New Year.There are a superb selection of cheap Aberdeen hotels
The new town of “Granite City” Aberdeen offers grand granite buildings and a wonderful range of superb restaurants, the best shops and a very lively ‘what’s on’ listing whenever you arrive. Coincidentally, if Aberdeen has so much to offer, why is its own population recognised as internationally well travelled? Why would anyone want to ever leave this wonderful place? They say you never seem to appreciate what is beneath your nose but the truth is that Aberdonians are able to look more forward to coming home more than most of us. Who can blame them? They have everything! A pleasant climate, sandy beaches, the Lemon Tree (Aberdeen’s own long-running Festival Fringe), picturesque streets, warm friendly people, fishing villages worthy of a place on a postcard and Union Street where you find an awful lot of shops, together with 3 shopping malls!
Aberdeen is famously nicknamed the “City of Roses” with very good reason. A popular landmark and attraction in these parts is that of Duthie Park’s Rose Hill with more than 12,000 different brilliant colours and assortments of Rose.
Aberdeen’s old town district has a nostalgic air about it. The area known as Old Aberdeen is a preserved site, which was once an individual burgh. Here you will encounter its cobbled high street with Aberdeen Art Gallery, Provost Ross’s House, the harbour and many other attractions within close proximity of one another. Don’t miss a chance to explore Aberdeen University’s ancient King’s College with its 15th century chapel and fixtures.
While in Aberdeen many visitors are interested in the relationship between the city and North Sea. For a number of years North Sea oil reserves have fueled the growth and prosperity as well as devastating losses of life in the area. Visitors can see the Piper Alpha Memorial, a memorial garden found in Hazelhead Park dedicated to the loss of 167 North Sea oil workers lost in the 1988 tragedy. If you would like to find out more about oil exploration in the North Sea, the 5 Star Maritime Museum found on the Shiprow, provides exhibitions on the fascinating subject well as an in depth insight to earlier (but equally as dangerous) forms of fishing and shipping in the region.
Take a map and the area around Aberdeen and the Grampians appears very compact. This is far from the truth. In reality, there is a huge expanse of territory to explore with generous servings of attractions awaiting you at every corner and much to miss if limited to public transport. Cycling out in the Aberdonian countryside is amazing and highly recommended for all able-bodied souls. For the rest of us, swapping two wheels for four and exploring the glorious surrounding from behind the wheel of a rental car from Aberdeen Airport has many attractions. For those outdoor types hiking is a great way to explore beautiful landscapes “off the beaten track”.
The Grampian Highlands
Walking is probably the leading activity of the Grampians with vast areas to explore and virgin vistas only ever experienced on foot. Walkers will enjoy a wide range of challenges from the exposed coastline to the heights of the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains. If an active outdoor pursuits holiday is called for the Grampians area of Scotland will be the perfect solution! The possibilities are generous from water-sports to gliding and horse riding to cycling. Another exciting possibility is off-road driving as well as walking Scotland’s official Long Distance footpaths.
Drive over to Balmoral and you will immediately realise why Queen Victoria fondly nicknamed this royal estate her “Paradise”. Constructed as a holiday destination for the British Royal Family, the estate is today enjoyed by many (non-royal) guests for its renowned sporting activities such as fly fishing in the River Dee and cycle races across the Royal estate.
Over at the coast there are some superb facilities for water sports. A notable event is that of the annual yacht race to and from Stavanger in Norway. Peterhead’s marina is extremely popular with visiting yachtsmen whilst sailing enthusiasts make for Findhorn on the Moray Firth.
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