Aberdeen - Gateway To The Highlands

Aberdeen provides an explosion of breathtaking views from an unspoilt waterfront on its eastern coast to the awesome Grampian Mountains in the west. With so so many sights to take in, it's a good idea to rent a car from Aberdeen Airport. Since it's the 3rd largest city in Scotland, expect the city to have a diverse selection of cosmopolitan merits from the arts to old historical sites and countless opportunities for shopping. The region of Aberdeen and the Grampian mountains is responsible for that mad drawer of crowds and alcohol lovers, the Malt Whisky Trail. If and when you have recovered from sampling the malts of eight distilleries, then it's time to follow the Castle Trail amidst the region's most wonderful of views. There is a huge range of activities including golf, fishing, skiing, whisky tasting and lots more on offer here in this picturesque region of Scotland.

Expect a festival or gala to be going on during your trip to Aberdeen. Visitors and residents regularly get together to celebrate the region’s heritage with traditional entertainment and events such as the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games. Locally known as the “Friendly Games” the Games are held annually on the fourth Saturday of August at Strathdon in Aberdeenshire. Other events to check out when 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), Tartan Day, The Wickerman and the Stonehaven Fireball Festival. The Stonehaven festival is one of few remnants of an east coast fire festival traditionally held to see in the New Year.There are a superb selection of discounted Aberdeen hotels

The new town of “Granite City” Aberdeen offers grand granite buildings and endless supplies of the finest restaurants, the best shops and a very lively ‘what’s on’ listing whenever you arrive. Coincidentally, if the region has so much to offer, why is its own population recognised as internationally well travelled? Why would anyone want to ever leave this wonderful place? They say that you never to appreciate what is already yours but the truth is that Aberdonians can look more forward to coming home more than most of us. Who could blame them? They have everything! A generally cool and dry climate, sandy beaches, the Lemon Tree (Aberdeen's own year round Festival Fringe), pretty streets, warm friendly people, fishing villages worthy of a place on a postcard and Union Street where you find a vast array of shops, together with three shopping precincts!

Aberdeen is often known 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 over 12,000 different captivating varieties and assortments of Rose.

The Old Town district of Aberdeen has a nostalgic air about it. The area known as Old Aberdeen is a preserved site, which was once an individual burgh. Here you will encounter its cobbled high street with Provost Ross's House, the Aberdeen Art Gallery, the harbour and many other attractions within a few hundred yards of one another. Don't miss an opportunity to explore Aberdeen University’s ancient King's College with its 15th century chapel and fixtures.

While in Aberdeen a lot of visitors are interested in 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 see the Piper Alpha Memorial, a memorial garden situated 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, provides 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.

On the map, the area around Aberdeen and the Grampians seems to be very compact. This is deceiving.  In actual fact, there is a huge expanse of territory to explore with plenty of attractions awaiting you at every corner and much to miss if limited to public transport. Cycling out in the countryside around Aberdeen 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  a hire car from Dyce Airport has many attractions. For those fresh air lovers hiking is a highly enjoyable way to explore these amazing landscapes “off the beaten track”.


The Grampian Highlands

Walking is certainly the leading activity in the Grampians with vast areas to explore and virgin terrains which can only be found when travelling on foot. Walkers will enjoy a diverse landscape challenge from the wild coast to the heights of the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains. If you are looking for an active pursuits holiday this Grampians region of Scotland will not let you down! The possibilities are generous from gliding to water sports and cycling to horse riding. Off road driving is also on offer as well as exploring Scotland's official Long Distance footpaths.

Take a drive to Balmoral and instantly discover why Queen Victoria fondly nicknamed this wonderful place her "Paradise". Built as a royal holiday destination, it is currently enjoyed by a vast number of (non-royal) guests for its renowned sporting activities such as salmon and trout fishing in the River Dee and cycle races across the Royal estate.

Across at the coast there are some superb facilities for water sports. A popular event is that of the annual sailing race to Stavanger and back. The marina at Peterhead is extremely popular with visiting yachtsmen while sailing enthusiasts make for Findhorn on the Moray Firth.