 |
Aberdeen |
|
|
|
|
|
King's College in Old Aberdeen
Aberdeen (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Dheathain) is Scotland's third largest city, with a population of about 202,000. Aberdeen is the county town of Aberdeenshire, and the chief seaport in the north-east of Scotland.
Aberdeen is commonly referred to variously as "the Granite City", on account of the grey, occasionally sparkling building stone used in older buildings in the city; and the "Flower of Scotland", Aberdeen long having been famous for outstanding parks, gardens and floral displays. These days, Aberdeen also boasts the title of Oil Capital of Europe thanks to the supply of crude oil in the North Sea, and stands on a bay of the North Sea, between the mouths of the rivers Don and Dee.
More in
Aberdeen >>
SEE DO EAT
Forecast currently unavailable.
|
|
|
 SEE
- Aberdeen Art Gallery [9] Schoolhill. Tel: 01224 523700, [10] Open Monday-Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm-5.00pm. The Aberdeen Art Gallery is set in a Victorian building with an exquisite marble and granite main hall. In the several large rooms there are housed paintings and sculptures numbering in the hundreds, featuring Impressionist pieces as well as modern art and works by the Scottish Colourists. There is also a display of antique silverware and decorative pieces. There are also numerous special exhibits by many acclaimed artists, a recent example being Quentin Blake. For those who like art, an afternoon could easily be spent here, but at least a quick browse is well worth it for anyone. Admission free.
- The Gordon Highlanders Museum [11] St. Lukes Viewfield Road. Tel: 01224 311200, [12]. Open first Tuesday in April to last Sunday in October, Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am-4.30pm, Su 1.30pm-4.30pm (last admission 4pm). November-March open by appointment only. Closed Mondays. At the Gordon Highlanders Museum you can re-live the compelling and dramatic story of one of the British Army's most famous regiments, through the lives of its outstanding personalities and of the kilted soldiers of the North East of Scotland who filled its ranks. Exhibits include a real Nazi flag from Hitler's staff car, and there is a small cinema where you can watch a film on the history of the regiment. For the younger visitors there are a number of uniforms to try on, and there is also a coffee shop. For those interested in military history this small gem is a must. Admission: Adults: £2.50, Children: £1.00, Seniors: £1.50, Closed season: £3.00.
- The Maritime Museum [13] Shiprow. Tel: 01224 337700, [14]. Open Monday-Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm, Sunday 12.00pm-3.00pm. This attraction, rated five-star by the Scottish Tourist Board, offers an extraordinary insight into the mechanics and technology of ships and oil rigs, Aberdeen's rich maritime history and the lives of some of the people who have worked offshore in the North Sea for the past 500 years. The newest part of the complex is a blue, glass-fronted building on the cobbled Shiprow, just minutes from Union Street. Inside is a spiral walkway, rising upwards around an eye-catching model of an oil rig. Connected to this structure are the much older buildings which take visitors through a series of castle-style corridors and staircases to reach the numerous room sets, historical artifacts and scale models. If your time in Aberdeen is limited, go and see this. There is so much to see, and even the buildings themselves are worth a look. There is also a restaurant - slightly expensive, but the food is pretty good. Admission free.
- The Marischal Museum [15] Broad Street (entrance through arch). Tel: 01224 274301, [16] Open Monday-Friday 10.00am-5.00pm, Sunday 2.00pm-5.00pm. Covering 8000 years of local and world history, this generally undiscovered museum houses the results of numerous expeditions by local people over the past two centuries. The collection, speread over several floors in the stunning Marischal College building, includes pieces from such diverse locations as the Balkans and Tibet. As well as the varied international exhibits, the museum also presents an insightful look at the history of the north-east of Scotland under the banner of The Encyclopeadia of the North-East. Very worthwhile, and considering the range of excellent displays the free admission seems all the better. Admission free.
|
|
|
DO
The nearest Aberdeen has to a Bohemian Quarter is centred around Belmont Street, halfway down Union St. It has many nice bars, live music venues, a couple of second-hand book stores and an arthouse cinema, named The Belmont.
The Belmont Picturehouse on Belmont Street is also host to the City of Joy, the international church in the international cinema. A vibrant place on sundays, it is worth a look if you want to guage the religious temperature of the City. [17]?
|
|
EAT
Aberdeen has hundreds of restaurants, catering for every taste, to choose from. As with shops, there are well-known, easy to spot places, and out of the way ones. However, we'll leave the exploring up to you. Here is a list of more popular haunts in the central area, sorted by "cuisine":
If you want a lunchtime soup or sandwich try the Beautiful Mountain or Books and Beans on Belmont Street. Both are popular because of their good soup, sandwiches and atmosphere.
- Earl Of Sandwich, Market Street. The best sandwich shop in town playing the best music in town. Moving soon to just around the corner on 'The Green', the original village center of Aberdeen.
- Pizza Express, Union Street. A very good menu with great food. Modern setting. Not the cheapest, but reasonable.
- Musa art and music cafe, 33 Exchange St. A great reastaurant/cafe/art gallery with the best food in Aberdeen and sometimes with live music
- La Lombarda, 2-8 King Street. One of Aberdeen's most popular Italians, and with good reason. Good location next to Castlegate.
- Little Italy, 79 Holborn Dtreet. A bit pricey, but a wonderfully rustic decor makes for great atmosphere. A bit out of the way.
- KURY, 22-24 King Street. Consistent rave reviews make this Indian restaurant a hotspot. Slightly overpriced, but it's worth it.
- The Royal Thai, [24]. The oldest Thai restaurant in Aberdeen and it shows in how exceptional the food is.
- Yatai, 73-75 Skene Street, a short walk from Union street. Small and a little expensive, but excellent Japanese food including Sushi.
- Chinatown, 11 Dee Street, just off Union Street. Great Chinese food along with nice, vibrant decor and a bar make this restaurant highly recommended.
- Jimmy Chung's, 401-405 Union Street. Perhaps the best Chinese restaurant in Aberdeen. Good food, low prices, nice setting. Recommended.
- Yu, 347 Union Street. Reasonably-priced food. Good, but nothing to shout about. Convenient location.
- The Illicit Still, off Broad Street. An underpriced, delicious, menu covering the finest of all the world's food. GO!!!
- The Bassment, Windmill Brae, off Union Street. Really good American grill reasonably priced. Also do excellent cocktails, served with more than a little flare!
- The Beautiful Mountain, Belmont Street. Fine sandwiches, soups, smoothies and Sunday breakfasts!
- Kilau, Little Belmont Street. Crepes, sandwiches, coffee, art and Irish Tony!
- Nazma Tandoori, Bridge Street. Alongside the Blue Moon, Holburn Street, this is the most authentic and finest Indian restaurant in Aberdeen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|