Welcome to Aberdeen

Aberdeen, in Aberdeenshire and the Grampian region, is now noted for its connection to the North Sea oilfields, but it still continues its maritime and education traditions through its port, the University of Aberdeen and the Robert Gordon University. It is frequently referred to as the Granite City because this local stone was used in the construction of many impressive and historic buildings. 

Although one of Scotland’s major cities, Aberdeen is surrounded by open country with some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain.  Royal Deeside, locale for Balmoral Castle and Braemar Castle, is to the west of the city.  The National Trust for Scotland maintains several properties in this part of northeastern Scotland that are of great historical and scenic interest.  

Aberdeen has a number of interesting museums including the Aberdeen Art Gallery, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Provost Skene's House, The Tolbooth and the Gordon Highlanders Museum that will introduce visitors to many important events and people in the region's history.

The Historic Scotland web site has information about places of historic interest in the region.

The Scottish Museums Council has lists of museums in Scotland with basic information and, where applicable, Internet links.  Click here for the Aberdeen and Grampians page.

James Ramsay, who wrote extensively against slavery, was born at Fraserburgh, to the north of Aberdeen, in 1733 and studied at King's College in Aberdeen between 1750 and 1755.

The Aberdeen and Grampians Tourist Board, the Aberdeen City and Shire and the City of Aberdeen web sites have information and maps to assist visitors in planning travel to this city and the surrounding area.  The BBC North East web site is a very good source of current news and other information for the region.

Aberdeen has very good transportation at its disposal. A major highway and rail services connect it to central Scotland and the national motorway and rail system. A nearby airport provides connecting services to major destinations and international airports. Ferry services operate to the Shetland and Orkney Islands north of the Scottish mainland.  Regional bus and coach services radiate to surrounding points in eastern Scotland from the Guild Street Bus Station near the railway station.

Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) is located near Dyce (6 miles/9 km) northwest of central Aberdeen and provides regional service to UK, Western Europe and Scandinavia destinations. Connections with North American flights can be arranged at London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow airports.  The airport's web site has flight and other information for travel planning.  Public bus services connect the airport with central Aberdeen.

Rail Services:

First Scotrail provides rail services from Aberdeen throughout Scotland.  Rail services provided by the Great North East Railways run south from Aberdeen along the east coast of Scotland and England to London (King's Cross).  Virgin Trains routes run south from Aberdeen to Edinburgh then to west, central and southern England and to Wales.

Ferry Services:

Ferry services operate to Stromness in the Orkney Islands and to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands from the ferry terminal in the port area.  Go to the ferry page for Scotland for information on services from this and other ports.

Bus and Coach Services:  Regional bus and coach services are available at Aberdeen for connections to other parts of Scotland.

Aberdeen has a number of amenities that make it an excellent hub for exploring the northeastern Scotland and the eastern areas of the Scottish Highlands. The table below contains a partial list of other towns and cities in the region that may be of interest to visitors. All are accessible by car and most by train or bus. Distances (miles/kilometers) are provided for highway routes that are deemed most efficient.

Recommended Reading:  Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson by James Boswell relates their experiences while traveling in Scotland in 1773.

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