Aberdeen – Home Of Roses and Malt Whisky

Aberdeen gives us a wealth of wonderful views from an unspoilt harbour on its eastern coast to the majestic Grampian Mountains in the west. With so many places to visit, it’s well worth the cost to get a rental car from Aberdeen Airport. Considering that it’s the third largest city in Scotland, expect the city to have a wide selection of attractions from the arts to old relics and countless opportunities for shopping. This area of Aberdeen and the Grampians is the home of that magnet for discerning drinkers everywhere, the Malt Whisky Trail. If and when you have recovered from sampling the outstanding malt whiskies of eight distilleries, there is the Castle Trail to explore amidst the breathtaking views of this wonderful region. You will find a whole host of activities such as golf, fishing, skiing, whisky tasting and much more on offer here in The Grampian Highlands.

Don’t be surprised to find some form of festival or gala to be taking place whilst you are in the city. Visitors and locals often meet to remember the area’s heritage with traditional entertainment and events like the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games. Locally known as the “Friendly Games” the event 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 event is one of last remnants of an east coast fire festival traditionally held to see in the New Year.There are a superb selection of luxury Aberdeen hotels

The new part of Aberdeen known as the “Granite City” offers grand granite buildings and any number of fine restaurants, a superb range of top shops and a very lively ‘what’s on’ listing whatever time of the year you arrive. Coincidentally, if the region has such a wealth of riches, why are its own people considered internationally well travelled? Why would they ever want to leave this marvellous city? 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? Everything is here! 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 a whole host of shops, together with 3 shopping precincts!

Aberdeen is famous as the “City of Roses” with very good reason. A popular attraction and landmark in these parts is that of Duthie Park’s Rose Hill with in excess of 12,000 different captivating varieties and types of Rose.

The Old Town district of Aberdeen has a historic air about it. The area known as Old Aberdeen is a preserved site, which was once an individual burgh. Here you will encounter the 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 15th century chapel and fixtures.

Whilst in Aberdeen many visitors explore 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 pay their respects at the Piper Alpha Memorial, a rose garden found in Hazelhead Park dedicated to the memory of the 167 oil workers lost to the North Sea in the tragedy of 1988. If you would like to find out more about oil exploration in the North Sea, the 5 Star Maritime Museum found on the Shiprow, offers 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 seems to be very compact. This is deceiving.  In reality, there is a vast acreage of ground to cover with plenty 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  an Aberdeen Airport rental car has many attractions. For the outdoor types hiking is a wonderful way to explore beautiful landscapes “off the beaten track”.

The Grampian Highlands

Walking is probably the foremost activity of the Grampians with so much to explore and virgin landscapes only ever experienced on foot. Walkers can experience a diverse landscape challenge from the wild coastline to the high altitudes of the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains. If an active outdoor pursuits holiday is called for this Grampians region of Scotland will not let you down! The offerings are generous from water-sports to gliding and horse riding to cycling. Off road driving is also on offer as well as exploring Scotland’s official Long Distance footpaths.

Take a drive to Balmoral and you will immediately realise why Queen Victoria fondly nicknamed this royal estate her “Paradise”. Constructed as a royal holiday destination, the area is now enjoyed by many (non-royal) guests for its world famous 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. The marina at Peterhead is very popular with visiting yachtsmen while sailing enthusiasts make for Findhorn at Moray Firth.