St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, ScotlandSt Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen, Scotland
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cathedral_Church_of_St._Machar,_Old_Aberdeen.jpg
Author: Derek Wasyliszyn
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Aberdeen is the third biggest city in Scotland. It also serves as the main base for North Sea off shore petroleum operations. The city on the North Sea coast of Scotland has a population of 210,000 (2011 estimate). It is located 649 km (403 mi) from London.

The cityscape of Aberdeen makes generous use of grey granite in the construction of its buildings, leading to it being called the Granite City. To add color to the city, it puts out a gay display of flowers in its gardens and parks, allowing it to win the Britain in Bloom competition for a record-breaking ten times.

Provost Ross's HouseProvost Ross's House, today the Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RossHouse-117156-Richard_Slessor.jpg
Author: Richard Slessor
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The history of Aberdeen goes back as much as eight thousand years, based on archaeological discoveries at the mouths of the Dee and Don rivers. Present-day Aberdeen is somewhat newer. It received its Royal Burgh status from King David I in the 12th century. From then onwards, it grew from a village into a town.

Aberdeen has always had a relationship with the sea. In past centuries it was supported by the fishing industry and its related works such as shipbuilding. Now, it has become the main base for the off-shore oil industry, the busiest commercial heliport in the world, and the biggest seaport in Scotland.

Visiting Aberdeen

Aberdeen Airport (ABZ), located in Dyce, about 9 km northeast of the city center, receives flights from London, Paris, Amsterdam and selected cities in Britain and Europe.Arriving visitors can take the Airlink bus to the Dyce railway station and then change to the train to reach downtown Aberdeen. Alternatively take the taxi direct to Aberdeen for around £20.

St Nicholas Kirk, AberdeenSt Nicholas Kirk, Aberdeen
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aberdeen_St_Nicholas_Kirk.jpg
Author: Ikiwaner
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Sights & Attractions in Aberdeen


  1. Aberdeen Art Gallery
    A purpose-built in 1884, the Neo-Classical art gallery houses works ranging from Aberdonian silver to works by Toulouse-Lautrec and other artists.

  2. Aberdeen Maritime Museum
    Museum housed in Provost (mayor) Ross's House overlooking the Aberdeen Harbour exhibiting artifacts related to the city's seafaring tradition.

  3. King's College
    The first university of Aberdeen founded in 1495. The only building open to the public is the inter-denominational chapel.

  4. Mercat Cross
    Market cross in the heart of Aberdeen. It was a focal point for merchants to gather during medieval times.

  5. Provost Skene's House
    House of Sir George Skene, the 17th century provost (mayor) of Aberdeen, today preserved and open to the public.

  6. St Andrew's Cathedral
    This is the Mother Church of the Episcopal Communion in America. There's a memorial here to Samuel Seabury, the first Episcopal bishop in the United States.

  7. St Machar's Cathedral
    The oldest granite building in the city, the cathedral dominates the Old Town of Aberdeen.

  8. St Nicholas Kirk
    The largest parish church in Scotland, founded in the 12th century, the present St Nicholas church building dates to 1752.

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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