Car Hire Aberdeen :: Aberdeen City Guide

Situated on the East coast of Scotland, Aberdeen, known as the Granite City after the hard stone with which the majority of the buildings are made, is the third largest city in the country. It lies within the county of Aberdeenshire (formerly the Gramrian region) on the banks of the rivers Dee and Don. Historically Aberdeen's prosperity are linked to the sea, with whaling and fishing being major industries for much of its past. The city was also a major textile, paper, and rope producer until relatively recently when in 1970, oil was discovered in large quantities below the North Sea.

The city certainly cashed in on the find and due to its proximate position and the convenience to the oil industry of having a major, long established port on its doorstep, Aberdeen has become the oil capital of Europe. Other industries such as chemical engineering, oil and gas, heavy engineering and the food and service industries have also boomed on the piggyback of the oil giants. Not surprisingly, tourism in the area has also enjoyed a revival.

Aberdeen has a lot to offer. This ancient and historical settlement goes back many centuries and has been fought over many, many times by the opposing English and Scots armies. It has been burnt to the ground at least twice and can boast association with Robert the Bruce, William Wallace of ‘Braveheart ‘ fame and old ‘Longshanks', Edward the First.
The city is famous for its outstanding parks and gardens. Nicknamed the "Flower of Scotland", the city has one a Britain in Bloom award at least ten times.

Aberdeen possesses a number of excellent museums and galleries in its city centre, and some outstanding examples of architecture including the magnificent Marischal College and St Nicholas Kirk. It became a University town in 1860 following the merger of two ancient colleges, one catholic and one protestant.

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Must See in Aberdeen

• Aberdeen is surrounded by some of the most enthrallingly beautiful countryside in the U.K. Take the car and a map and just drive north and west to see natural marvels of landscape that will leave you breathless with admiration. If you decide you want a little extra, join the Whisky trail and search for the little distilleries that dot this great landscape. You won't be disappointed.
• Closer to home in the city itself, Aberdeen Maritime Museum is well worth a look. It is actually constructed around an old oil rig, and tells the history of Aberdeen and its connection with the North Sea. A visit to The Stratosphere interactive science museum is also fun.
  
  

Events in Aberdeen

• March - Aberdeen Jazz Festival
• Late April to May - Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
• June - City of Aberdeen Highland Games
• July – Speyfest. Traditional and modern music and late-night ceilidhs
  
• August - Lonach Highland Gathering and Games
• September - The Braemar Gathering
• September - Autumn Speyside Whisky Festival
• December - Stonehaven Fireball Festival