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trekkerman Aberdeen - A travel report by trekkerman
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Aberdeen,  United Kingdom - flag United Kingdom
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trekkerman's travel reports

Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

  11 votes
Aberdeen home to around 220,000 people, the oil capital of europe is a city located on the north east shores of a country steeped in history and rich in heritage - Scotland !


Union Street, Aberdeen.
Union Street, Aberdeen.
To the north - the famous Highlands of scotland, to the south - the lowlands. Aberdeen, Scotlands 3rd largest city, is a metropolis built mainly from granite, a tough hard wearing yet strangely attractive stone. all over scotland you'll find granite built structures that protect its inhabitants from Scotlands sometimes harsh winter weather.
2 rivers run through the city the River Don & the River Dee.
some say that Aberdeen is the gateway to the Highlands, visitors from all over the world come to stay in and around the city because of the many things to do and see.
the famous 18th & 19th architecture of some of Aberdeens grand city buildings can be visited anytime with or without guides. check the tourist information website:
http://www.aberdeen-grampian.com

Favourite spots:
Castlegate, where International Market comes to town.
Castlegate, where International Market comes to town.
Aberdeen & the north east of Scotland is famous for many things including its Castle & Malt Whiskey Trails, with 9 Malt Whiskey Distilleries, and over a dozen fantastic Castles to see, visitors can enjoy hundreds of years of history the region has to offer.

www.maltwhiskytrail.com - all about local Distilleries.

www.aberdeen-grampian.com - all about Castles.



The North East of Scotland is also famed for its numerous Golf courses, and game Fishing, further info on this from:

www.aberdeenhq.com/index.html



Aberdeen is coastal and has a sandy beach, though it can be very windy because of the exposure to the north sea, it is extremely popular, people flock there in the Easter and Summer holidays. you'll find a cinema with a dozen screens, a large indoor amusement arcade, bowling alleys, fun fair, restaurants, bars and cafes.

What's really great:
Aberdeen Harbour
Aberdeen Harbour
other places worth a visit while you're here is SATROSPHERE, its a science centre, for adults & children alike, more info: www.satrosphere.net
also Duthie Winter Gardens & Park, all year round people spend time relaxing in the park and visiting the Famous Indoor Winter Gardens that has a talking Cactus ! many a time we stood watching a kiddie talking with the Cactus and we're all roaring with laughter. another top event is the Internatonal Street Market which comes to Aberdeen several times a year, you can buy goods and try delicacies from around Asia & Europe. at Christmas the market stays around for 2 weeks, recently i picked up some fanastic cheeses and wine for my Xmas.
Aberdeen Youth Festival is an annual event, attracting 1000's of vistors from afar to enjoy the cities festival long live music and other entertainment.

Sights:
Duthie Park Winter Gardens, Aberdeen.
Duthie Park Winter Gardens, Aberdeen.
other interesting activities here in Aberdeen are Cycling and hiking Trails both in the city and on the fringes.
the city has a number of woods within a 15 miles radius.
there are many historical buildings in aberdeen including the famous Scottish University of Aberdeen, the architecture has been noted as having one the most inspiring designs in the UK.
shopping is also a favourite with Aberdeens citizens, with 3 Malls and another about to be built there's a huge choice of British fashion clothing, & designer labels, the lastest must have electrical gadgets, and top high street names all to tickle your fancy !
Aberdeen also has a huge number of leisure centres all over the city, offering everything from a simple swim to a serious workout with a fitness instructor.


Accommodations:
Glenffidich Malt Whiskey Distillery.
Glenffidich Malt Whiskey Distillery.
Aberdeen has 100's of places to stay, from the humble B&B (Bed & Breakfast) to Guest houses right up to the 5* Luxury Hotels. choose to either stay in town or a little further out of the city for that real country feel. more info: http://www.aberdeenhotelscotland.com OR http://www.aberdeenhq.com

prices vary depending on season, type of accomodation and location.

for the budget traveller there's just the one hostel in Aberdeen, but it is located just off central Aberdeen on: 8 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

more info: http://www.syha.org.uk

However, having stayed at Aberdeens only Hostel i wouldn't recommend it (see my travel tip for the reasons why etc). Instead i would recommend you stay at a guesthouse, there's plenty of them and the prices can be similar to the Hostel, and usually includes a cooked breakfast each morning.





Nightlife:
Dunnottar Castle.
Dunnottar Castle.
Aberdeen is a city hoching (jam packed) with nightlife, the main drag is Union Street, there you'll find many of the cities top nightspots - bars/ clubs/ pubs and restaurants, also there's The Justice Mill, a back street running parallel with Union Street jumping with bars & clubs til the wee small 'ours !
Union Street is approx 1.5 km in length, and virtually every side street off the main high street has bars, clubs & restaurants too.
Aberdeen also has an excellent live band circuit operating in dozens of bars, every night you can see a live band.
Aberdeen is the party capital of the north east.
but, all over the city you'll find more places to drink, eat, socialise with friends.
you'll also find Casino's, 2 NEW Cinemas, Bowling & amusements all open at night.
and for the culture vulture - His Majesty's Theatre, recently refurbished and always showing top productions, and the renowed Aberdeen City Art Gallery.


Hangouts:
The Howff Basement Bar, Union Street, Aberdeen.
The Howff Basement Bar, Union Street, Aberdeen.
with so many places in Aberdeen to try, here is a short list of several great places to try;

CLUBS/BARS: Budz Bar, Espionage, The College Bar, Moshulu, Revolution, Soul.

REAL ALE PUBS: Old Blackfriars, Archibald Simpson, The Dutch Mill, The Old Town School, The Prince of Wales.

PUB LUNCHES: The Howff, The Dutch Mill, Archibald Simpson.

average pint of beer costs about £2.85, a bottle of beer/ alcopops about £3.50.
average pub lunch around £4 - £7.

Restaurants:
Invermorriston, Scottish Highlands.
Invermorriston, Scottish Highlands.
a real blend of cultures creating a depth of range of restaurants in the city, Italian, French, Greek, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Thai, African & Caribbean, mexican, Seafood, Vegetarian, Pizza & more....
i recommend a few restaurants: my favourite is Aberdeens famous and probably the most popular
- Little Italy, this great restaurant has bags of atmosphere and food so delicious you'll drool just eyeing the menu. Romantic atmosphere up to around 10pm, then the music is turned up and everyone is encouraged to dance on the table tops by the owner.
-The Howff, this great little basement bar, intimate, great food of all types, try their huge salads - NOT for the weightwatchers lol, guest beers, great atmosphere, quality clientelle, friendly staff & service.
-La Bamba, mexican restaurant, first class food, service and great atmosphere.
-Carmines - this quaint independent Italian style cafe serves up one of the BEST HOMEMADE pizzas outside of Italy. it has a huge reputation in Aberdeen.

Other recommendations:
Highland Loch, Invermorriston at night.
Highland Loch, Invermorriston at night.
you can get to Aberdeen by air, sea or land. Mainline train & bus terminals, and an international airport.

all taxis are registered with a meter system, so you dont get ripped off.

currency is the £ Sterling, and not the Euro. Euro's or other currencies are not generally accepted for payment, so bring Sterling Traveller Cheques, cash or any credit/debit card inc: Visa, Master Card, Amex, Maestro, Electron or Solo.

Banks are numerous in the city as are ATM's.

the UK now uses "chip & pin" when paying by credit/debit card, dont be surprised when you go to pay that you are asked to enter your usual 4 digit ATM PIN number directly into the electronic pay terminal.

NB. they will NEVER ask to reveal your PIN number.

The national Scottish drinks are Irn Bru, Whiskey & Lager.

Scotland & Aberdeen have a take-away culture of fried foods, you'll find the famous Fish'n'Chip shops everywhere. go on...

try a fish supper tonight !!

Published on Monday February 26th, 2007


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Tue, Feb 27 2007 - 11:16 AM rating by marianne

a good read and good info.

Tue, Feb 27 2007 - 05:41 AM rating by downundergal

Good effort - and full of helpful info.

Mon, Feb 26 2007 - 08:44 PM rating by travler

I thought this was an excellent report with some nice pictures.

Mon, Feb 26 2007 - 08:22 PM rating by rangutan

A very good report without "frills". Where are the local folk?

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