Scotland's
third-largest city (pop. 214,000) is characterized by buildings
of beautiful granite. Set beside the North Sea, Aberdeen is
both a university town and the capital of the Scottish oil boom.
In addition, it is one of Scotland's largest seaside resorts
(though its appeal is limited to those who like their water
well chilled).
The city's attractions include the 15th-century St. Machar's
Cathedral, the Mercat Cross of 1686 (a striking structure),
the 14th-century Brig o' Balgownie (Scotland's oldest bridge),
the Winter Garden (Europe's largest indoor garden), a fine art
gallery and the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. Old Aberdeen, the
students' quarter of the city, is worth a visit: Walk the campuses
of the two ancient universities, King's College (founded 1495)
and Marischal College (founded 1500, the second-largest granite
building in the world), now combined as the University of Aberdeen.
Or get up at the crack of dawn to visit the warehouse of buzzing
activity that is Aberdeen's famous fish market.
Aberdeen
is an excellent base for touring the nearby castles (Dunnotar,
Slains and Crathes) and whiskey distilleries (Glenfiddich, Glenlivet
and Speyside Cooperage). Other sites include Balmoral Castle
(the royal family's summer residence, with grounds and the Carriage
Hall open to the public from late March or early April to the
end of July) and Braemar Castle, which hosts the largest Highland
games every September.
