Aberdeen – Gateway To The Highlands
Aberdeen offers an explosion of amazing views from an old-world harbour on the eastern side to the majestic Grampian Mountains in the west. With so much to see, it’s pretty much essential to get a hire car from Aberdeen Airport. Since it’s the third biggest city in Scotland, expect Aberdeen to have a diversity of attractions from theatre, cinema etc to old historical sites and countless opportunities for shopping. The region 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 sampling the world famous whiskies of eight distilleries, then it’s time to follow the Castle Trail amidst the region’s most stunning of views. You will find a huge range of activities such as fishing, golf, whisky tasting, skiing and lots more on offer here in Aberdeen and the Grampians.
Expect a festival or celebration to be going on during your trip to the city. Visitors and residents often get together to remember the area’s past with traditional entertainment and events such as the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games. Locally known as the “Friendly Games” the Games are held annually on the fourth 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 event is one of last remnants of an east coast fire festival traditionally held to welcome in the New Year.
The new town of “Granite City” Aberdeen offers wonderful granite buildings and any number of fine restaurants, a superb range of top shops and a very lively ‘what’s on’ listing whenever you arrive. Coincidentally, if the city has so many attractions, why is its own population recognised as internationally well travelled? Why would they want to ever leave this wonderful place? They say that you never to appreciate what is beneath your nose but the truth is that Aberdonians are able to look more forward to returning home more than the rest of us. Who could blame them? They have everything! A pleasant climate, sandy beaches, the Lemon Tree (Aberdeen’s own year round Festival Fringe), picturesque streets, warm friendly people, fishing villages worthy of a place on a postcard and Union Street where you find a plethora of shops, as well as three shopping malls!
Aberdeen is famously nicknamed the “City of Roses” with very good reason. A popular landmark and attraction in this area is that of Duthie Park’s Rose Hill with more than 12,000 different brilliant varieties and types of Rose.
Aberdeen’s old town district has a historic air about it. The area known as Old Aberdeen is a preserved site, which was once a single burgh. Here you can find the cobbled high street with Aberdeen Art Gallery, Provost Ross’s House, the harbour and many other places of interest within a few hundred yards of one another. Don’t miss an opportunity to explore Aberdeen University’s ancient King’s College with its 15th century chapel and fixtures.
Whilst visiting 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 region. Visitors can see 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.
On the map, the region of Aberdeen and the Grampians appears very compact. This is deceiving. In actual fact, there is a huge expanse of territory to explore with generous servings of attractions 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 a hire car from Aberdeen Airport has many attractions. For the outdoor types hiking is a highly enjoyable way to explore beautiful landscapes “off the beaten track”.
The Grampian Highlands
Hiking is certainly the premier activity in the Grampians with so much to explore and unspoilt landscapes only ever experienced on foot. Hikers will experience a diverse landscape challenge from the wild coast to the heights of the Grampian and Cairngorm mountain ranges. If an active outdoor pursuits holiday is called for the Grampians corner of Scotland will be the ideal solution! The possibilities are generous from water-sports to gliding and horse riding to cycling. Off road driving is also on offer as well as walking Scotland’s official Long Distance footpaths.
Take a drive to Balmoral and instantly discover why Queen Victoria fondly nicknamed this wonderful place her “Paradise”. Constructed as a holiday destination for the British Royal Family, the area is now enjoyed by many (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 excellent facilities for water sports. A popular event is that of the annual yacht race to Stavanger and back. Peterhead’s marina is very popular with visiting yachtsmen whilst sailing enthusiasts make for Findhorn on the Moray Firth.
