Scotland · City Guide
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's oil capital and third largest city, a magnificent city of silver granite architecture on the North Sea coast, home to the outstanding Aberdeen Art Gallery, beautiful beach promenade, the beautiful Vale of Dun and the gateway to Royal Deeside with Balmoral Castle and the magnificent Castle Trail of Aberdeenshire. Known as the Granite City for its distinctive silver grey buildings, Aberdeen provides outstanding access to the northeast Highlands.
Elect's take
"Aberdeen has a beauty built from granite that is genuinely distinctive. The combination of the art gallery, the beach, and the extraordinary access to Royal Deeside and the Castle Trail makes it a rewarding base for exploring the northeast of Scotland."
Aberdeen Art Gallery is one of Scotland's finest regional art museums, recently superbly renovated and housing outstanding collections of Scottish and international art. Royal Deeside, stretching west from Aberdeen along the River Dee to Balmoral Castle — the Royal Family's Scottish residence — provides beautiful Highland scenery through Ballater and Braemar. The Aberdeenshire Castle Trail connects over 300 castles and fortified houses in the most concentrated castle landscape in Europe. Aberdeen beach promenade provides a beautiful 2 mile walk along the North Sea. The Speyside whisky region is approximately 90 minutes west.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Aberdeen Art Gallery
One of Scotland's finest regional art museums with outstanding Scottish and international collections.
Royal Deeside & Balmoral
Beautiful Highland valley with the Royal Family's Scottish residence and outstanding scenery.
Castle Trail
Over 300 castles in the most concentrated castle landscape in Europe.
Aberdeen Beach
A beautiful 2 mile North Sea beach promenade with the famous fun fair.
Speyside Access
Scotland's whisky heartland approximately 90 minutes west through beautiful Highland scenery.
Granite City
A magnificent cityscape of silver grey granite buildings unique to northeast Scotland.
