Aberdeen is quintessentially northern,
a maritime city with a story going back to its foundations
as a royal burgh in 1124. In olden times, the city had
strong trading links with Scandinavia and the Low Countries
across the North Sea. Then its maritime story moves on
to the building of fast clipper-ships, to take tea home
from India.
Aberdeen has one of the most distinctive townscapes in
Scotland, thanks to the use of silver granite. This durable
stone, quarried locally, was used, from the 18th century
onward to shape downtown Aberdeen, in glittering spires,
parapets, blocks and bold columns.
In sunshine, the granite’s embedded mica chips
act like millions of tiny mirrors, adding a distinctive
sparkle to the handsome buildings.
Since 1494 when King’s College was founded, its
elegant crown spire has been a local landmark. A century
later, Marischal College was founded, the two colleges
combining to form Aberdeen University in 1860. Aberdeen’s
Pubs and restaurants take many themes and embrace a
range of cuisine, from traditional Scottish to eastern
and exotic.
Though Aberdeen wears a cosmopolitan air it has another
important role as a centre for rural Aberdeenshire,
and offers a wide choice of shopping facilities. There
are at least six indoor shopping malls or centres, including
the St. Nicholas and Bon-Accord Centres, but also more
traditional shopping streets, around the west end of
Union Street.
|
Please
also refer to Aberdeen for tours available from Peterhead
(requiring a small adjustment to timings)
