Aberdeen - The City Of Roses

Aberdeen offers an explosion of amazing views from an unspoilt waterfront on its eastern coast to the awesome Grampian Mountains in the west. With so many places to visit, it’s pretty much essential to hire a car from Aberdeen Airport. Since it’s the third largest city in Scotland, expect Aberdeen to offer a diverse selection of cosmopolitan merits from the arts to sites of historical interest and endless shopping possibilities. The region of Aberdeen and the Grampian mountains is responsible for that mad drawer of crowds and whisky lovers, the Malt Whisky Trail. When you have recovered from imbibing the whiskies of eight distilleries, then it’s time to follow the Castle Trail amidst the breathtaking views of this majestic region. You will find a whole host of activities including golf, fishing, skiing, whisky tasting and lots more on offer here in The Grampian Highlands.

Don’t be surprised to find a celebration or gala to be taking place while in the city. Visitors and residents often meet to remember the area’s history with traditional entertainment and events such as the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games. Locally known as the “Friendly Games” they are held annually on the fourth Saturday in 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 last remnants of an east coast fire festival traditionally held to welcome in the New Year.You will find a great selection of cheap Aberdeen hotels

The new town of “Granite City” Aberdeen offers superb granite buildings and a wonderful range of superb restaurants, a superb range of top shops and a very lively ‘what’s on’ listing whenever you arrive. Coincidentally, if Aberdeen has such a wealth of riches, why are its own people considered internationally well travelled? Why would they ever want to leave this wonderful place? They say you never seem to appreciate what is beneath your nose but the truth is that Aberdonians can look more forward to returning home more than most of us. Who can blame them? They have everything! A pleasant climate, sandy beaches, the Lemon Tree (Aberdeen’s own perpetual Festival Fringe), picturesque streets, warm friendly people, fishing villages worthy of a place on a postcard and Union Street where you find a whole host of shops, together with three shopping precincts!

Aberdeen is famously nicknamed the “City of Roses” with good reason. A popular landmark and attraction in these parts is that of Duthie Park’s Rose Hill with over 12,000 different captivating varieties and assortments of Rose.

Aberdeen’s old town district has a historic air about it. The area known as Old Aberdeen is a preserved site, and 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 a few hundred yards of one another. Don’t miss an opportunity to visit Aberdeen University’s ancient King’s College with its fifteenth century chapel and fixtures.

While visiting Aberdeen many visitors explore the relationship between the city and North Sea. For a number of years North Sea oil reserves have played a huge part in the growth and prosperity as well as devastating losses of life in the region. Visitors can pay their respects at the Piper Alpha Memorial, a memorial garden situated in Hazelhead Park dedicated to the loss of 167 North Sea oil workers lost in the 1988 tragedy. For further information 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 region of Aberdeen and the Grampians seems to be very compact. This is far from the truth. In actual fact, there is a vast acreage of ground to cover with generous servings of attractions awaiting you at every corner and much will be missed 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 an Aberdeen Airport hire car has many attractions. For the fresh air lovers hiking is a great way to explore these amazing landscapes “off the beaten track”.

The Grampian Highlands

Hiking is certainly the foremost activity of the Grampians with vast areas to explore and virgin landscapes only ever experienced on foot. Walkers can experience a wide range of challenges from the wild coastline to the heights of the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains. If you are looking for an active pursuits holiday the Grampians corner of Scotland will be the perfect solution! The offerings are generous from water-sports to gliding and horse riding to cycling. Off road driving is also on offer as well as hiking Scotland’s official Long Distance footpaths.

Take a trip to Balmoral and in an instant you’ll see why Queen Victoria fondly nicknamed this magical estate her “Paradise”. Built as a holiday destination for the British Royal Family, it is today enjoyed by lots of (non-royal) visitors for its legendary sporting activities such as fly fishing in the River Dee and cycle races across the Royal estate.

Across at the coast there are some brilliant facilities for water sports. A popular event is that of the annual sailing race to Stavanger and back. Peterhead’s marina is very popular with visiting yachtsmen whilst sailing enthusiasts make for Findhorn at Moray Firth.

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