Aberdeen Hotels

Aberdeen Rundown

Aberdeen is the ‘Granite City’, because of its silver grey buildings which glitter attractively when the sun is out. Just like a Texan oil giant, Aberdeen owes its riches to the precious black stuff – and the city is certainly not a cheap date. But Scotland’s third city deserves your patronage for a multitude of reasons – not least because of its wealth of cultural attractions including the Maritime Museum and the Aberdeen Art Gallery – which are free. Off the beaten track somewhat but well worth a visit, is the Gordon Highlanders Museum which tells the story of this famous brave regiment formed in 1794. (Although there are no promises you’ll find out what the devils in skirts wear under their kilts).

Come prepared with plenty of plastic when you step out for a shop on Union Street – every upmarket store worth talking about is here, and Union Square’s new shops, restaurants and entertainments get unveiled in October, for even more choice.

When you’ve splashed your cash and had your fill of history and culture, get yourself some good old fashioned seaside thrills at Aberdeen Beach’s popular Codona Amusement Park -one of Scotland’s most popular funfairs.

Aberdeen’s Top 10

Aberdeen Events

July and August see the Stonehaven and Lonach Highland Games. There’s bound to be a spot of highland dancing thrown in for good measure.

Aberdeen International Football Festival features a week of fun and games in July at Balgownie Playing Fields.

The Castle Fraser Steam and Vintage Fair takes place in June at Inverurie – good wholesome family fun.

The Aberdeen Tartan Festival celebrates all things Scottish not just the fabled fabric design, in the city centre in July – be there or be square.

The Aberdeen Book Fair takes place at the Hilton Treetops Hotel in October. Bookworms never know what they will unearth at this second hand and antiquarian book event.

The City of Aberdeen Clydesdale Horse Show takes place at Duthie Park – a rare treat for fans of all things equestrian.

The Coast Festival of Visual Arts takes place at nearby Banff and Macduff – lead on, because it promises to be another good one in May.

Wrap up warm and gather round the city’s Christmas tree at the Aberdeen Winter Festival Christmas Tree Switch on at the end of November. There’s an added bonus of an early practice for your vocal chords in the short carol service.

The Northern Lights Music Festival is Aberdeen’s premier event with top international names making an appearance during the month of July.

How can you resist the wee little creatures at the Aberdeen Highland Pony Show, one of the best of its kind in Scotland, taking place in August.

When to Go

· Given its northern location and the fact it shares the same latitude as Moscow, Aberdeen is far milder than you might expect. Winter days are short though – with only six hours, 40 minutes of daylight at Winter Solstice.

· Temperatures in the winter months can get down to 0°C, or less. In the summer ,temperatures average out at 18 °C with the odd day or two seeing them climb as high as 30 °C.

· Rain Rain Go Away , Come Again another Day. One of the UKs best known nursery rhymes. Enough said.

Getting There

· Aberdeen Airport is just six miles north of the city centre with a large number of flights both domestic and to Europe. A frequent Airlink service runs from the airport to Aberdeen Railway station – a journey of only 10 minutes.

· National Express runs a frequent cheap coach service from Aberdeen to all main cities in the UK.

· There is an hourly train service from Aberdeen Railway Station to Glasgow and Edinburgh – from where it is possible to get onward connections to London.

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