Visit Aberdeen, the Granite City

Aberdeen is the 3rd largest city in Scotland and is widely known as the "Granite City" but is also known as the "Silver City (with the Golden Sands)". Although the area shows evidence of being inhabited for over eight thousand years Aberdeen is a thoroughly modern city with a strong association with the oil and gas industries.

Aberdeen has a fascinating selection of museums and art galleries and other cultural tourist attractions but most people visit the city to indulge in the lively vibrant nightlife. For those looking for such entertainment Aberdeen has various classy restaurants and bistros, wild nightclubs, numerous cafes and bars and a varied selection of festivals. For the younger visitor there is the incredibly popular 2 mile beach with the usual selection of fairground rides and other seaside attractions.

It is along the Beach Esplanade that you will find the excellent House of Fun. The House of Fun is simply huge, spread over 2 floors you will find all the latest video games, hi-tech simulators, driving games etc. together with laser tag, the foam factory, the family amusement arcade and much more fun stuff for the kids.

Obviously the House of Fun is great for kids but there is also much to keep the adults entertained. For those who like to gamble there is a cash arcade and bingo. There are also places to buy gifts and souvenirs but if you want your entertainment a little more adult then there are also various places to eat with such features as large screen tv and even live music.

Of course many people visit Aberdeen to do some shopping and for many in the surrounding rural areas this is vitally important. The main shopping district is around Union Street which has some of the usual retail outlets and other shops however many folk head to the Bon Accord St Nicholas Shopping Centre which is a large indoor shopping mall on two levels. There are several other shopping centers/malls including The Academy and The Mall which are well worth visiting as they contain other types of shops including more upmarket stores and different high street brands.

Aberdeen's history includes many stories of sporting excellence.

Typical of Scotland golf has been an important sport practiced in Aberdeen and the surrounding countryside. In 1780 the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen was founded making it the world's 6th oldest golf club. In 1815 the club changed it's name to Aberdeen Golf Club and in 1903, having been awarded Royal status, it became the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. The club has two golf courses, the Balgownie Championship Links and the Silverburn Course. Aberdeen boasts a further six golf courses, all public, Auchmill Golf Course, Balnagask Golf Course, an 18-hole and a 6-hole golf course at King's Links and three Golf Courses at Hazlehead two of which are 18-hole and the other is a a 9-hole Pitch and Putt.

In 1903 Aberdeen FC, Aberdeen's main soccer team, was formed. The team went on to have some success in Europe and, in the 1980's, the football club won the Scottish Premier League a total of three times. Much of this success has been credited to Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson CBE who was their manager at the time. Besides soccer the folk of Aberdeen enjoy all manner of sports and there are excellent facilities spread across the city.