Attractions and Places to Visit in Aberdeen

The attractions of Aberdeen are certainly varied. When you've visited the following highlights, you can explore the glorious countryside of Aberdeenshire too. Aberdeen the "Granite City" of Scotland is the perfect place for a holiday with a wide range of shops and local attractions.

Aberdeen Music Hall plays host to an ever widening range of events. Programme of Classical, Folk, Rock, Pop and Jazz music are equally at home in the Hall while Exhibitions, Seminars, Conferences, Graduation Balls, Tea Dances and Craft Fairs all find a professional welcome. The Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, the north's premier meeting and events venue, boasts state-of-the art convention facilities, capable of housing up to 2000 delegates. The AECC website provides further information, events and activities.

Aberdeen is an excellent base for the Malt Whisky Trail with the opportunity to visit whisky distilleries, and the fascinating Castle Trail. Royal Deeside is also nearby, including historical Balmoral Castle, the Scottish home of the Royal Family. The western half of Royal Deeside lies within the Cairngorms National Park and much of the area consists of beautiful mountains and glens. It is very sparsely populated with the biggest centre, Banchory, having a population of a few thousand people. Ballater, Aboyne and Braemar are other towns which are of interest to tourists.

Although Aberdeen is famous for having some of the best nightclubs in the world, the island also has an absolutely beautiful coastline with dozens of tiny coves to discover.

Aberdeen Art Gallery, close to His Majesty's Theatre, holds a fine collection of paintings, sculpture, silver and ceramics. Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with the sea. The Tolbooth Museum focuses on the history of crime and punishment within Aberdeen. Aberdeen is famous as the gateway to two of the most famous trails in the world, The Malt Whisky Trail and the Castle Trail. The castles and distilleries featured are really world class, and are a reason to visit Aberdeen in their own right.

Another popular tourist attraction is Royal Deeside, home to royal Balmoral Castle and the picturesque villages of Banchory, Aboyne, Ballater and Braemar. There are many coastal villages to explore in Aberdeen and Grampian. Tiny villages, picturesque harbours and 150-miles of unspoilt beaches line much of the coast which, together with the area's teeming wildlife (including dolphins, seals and seabirds), make the area an invigorating and uplifting holiday destination.