Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city (pop. 202,000) after Glasgow and Edinburgh, and is the county town of Aberdeenshire in the Grampian Region. It is known as a major centre of North Sea oil and the chief seaport in the north-east of the country. It has been constructed almost entirely from local granite which has been quarried at Rubislaw, to the west of the city, for roughly 300 years. This grey granite, whose mica deposits sparkle like silver, has historically caused the city to have the nicknames of ‘Granite City’ of ‘Silver City’, although today it is more likely to be called the ‘Oil Capital of Europe’!! Located on a bay of the North Sea on the mid eastern coastline of Scotland, the city stands between two rivers, the Dee and the Don, on a long sandy beach. In the clear coastal air of the far north-east the city stands out clear and solid, and despite being the centre of the North Sea oil industry, it is a lively holiday resort.
Traditionally Aberdeen was home to a large fishing fleet and a thriving port, which prospered during the 19th century from ship-building and textiles. It was at this time that the city was largely rebuilt of local granite by Archibald Simpson and others, and became known as the ‘Granite City’. The most interesting of the granite buildings, and possibly one of the finest in the world, is the Marischal College in Broad Street with its soaring perpendicular façade. It was built in 1593, rebuilt in 1844, and combined in 1860 with the 15th century King’s College, to become Aberdeen University. King’s College, named after King James IV, still has its original crown tower and chapel with superb 16th century woodwork and modern stained glass. Nearby, is the Brig O’Balgownie which is the most famous medieval bridge in Scotland. It was opened in 1329 to carry the main road north from the city. The Cathedral of St Machar was originally built in the 12th century, but the present building was completed in 1513 under the auspices of Bishop Elphinstone, who also founded the University. It has a splendid 16th century heraldic ceiling with 48 coats of arms, a collection of medieval charters and another of silver chalices. The interior walls were stripped of all their plaster in the 20th century to reveal the original stonework. The area around the cathedral is the oldest part of Aberdeen. Grant’s Place, just off the High Street, is of some interest as it contains a row of cottages built in the early 18th century, and just beyond is Wright’s and Cooper’s Place, named for the Incorporated Trades of the old burgh.
Other sites, in the city, worthy of mention:
Marischal College building houses the Marischal Museum which covers 8000 years of local and world history, a very interesting and worthwhile place to visit displaying an insightful look at north-eastern Scotland!!
Sited in the city’s oldest house, the Maritime Museum in Shiprow, once the home of a prosperous merchant, Provost Ross, gives ample historical data of Aberdeen past. Has been rated 5 star by the Scottish Tourist Board.
Provost Skene’s House in Guestrow, an old stone house which is now a domestic museum, has rooms furnished in period style and a chapel with early 17th century religious paintings.
The Aberdeen Art Gallery located in the Victorian ‘James Dun’s’ House in Schoolhill, have paintings ranging from 18th century portraits, by Reynolds and Hogarth, to modern works by Nash and Bacon.
Mercat Cross, sited in Castle Street and built in 1686, is built from red-sandstone which glows amidst the surrounding granite, and has a 5 metre pillar surmounted by a marble unicorn rising from the roof.
The Old Tolbooth, the scene of public executions until 1857, preserves the ‘Aberdeen Maiden’, said to be the model of the French guillotine.
The Gordon Highlander’s Museum, St Lukes Viewfield Road - where you can see the dramatic true story of one of the most famous of Scotish Regiments. For military enthusiasts this is a must see museum.
Other places of interest within 30 kilometres.
Crathes Castle, 25 kilometres south-west of Aberdeen, a 16th century tower house with delightful gardens. Now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.
Drum Castle, also a National Trust for Scotland property, has a 13th century tower and a 17th century wing.
Banchory, set in wooded countryside, is an attractive holiday village with a factory that distils ‘Dee Lavender Water’ from the locally grown plant.
Pitmedden Gardens, north of Aberdeen, are 17th century and in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.
Did you know that – the anthropological Museum in Marischal College, exhibits a 5 ½ metre sealskin canoe found drifting at the mouth of the River Don in 1700, complete with its Eskimo occupant?
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