A Tasty Suggestion
The Foyer Restaurant and Gallery (+44 (0) 1224 582277) is the place to go if youfre starting feeling a bit peckish while touring one of Aberdeenfs many cultural locales and galleries but donft want to stop taking in the art. The Foyer Restaurant and Gallery serves up the best of modern cuisine as well as contemporary art. Traditional Scottish greats are treated to a fresh makeover and are served along side European favourites. The restaurant also supports a local charity, the Aberdeen Foyer, with its profits going to help homeless youths and to alleviate unemployment. The layout is open and gives its patrons the chance to absorb artworks without becoming cluttered and with the ever-changing background the interior never gets dull. Menus change regularly providing innovative and exciting meals.
www.foyerrestaurant.com
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NOVEMBER 2008: The Aberdeen Tennis Cup is held every year at the AECC arena. British tennis stars Andrew Murray and Greg Rusedski captain the English and Scottish teams in what is set to be a fierce battle between the two teams. To find out more go to www.aberdeencup.com
...and here are some more great things to see and do in and around Aberdeen...
SEPTEMBER 2008: Started in 1994, Techfest is a unique festival of technology and science held at different venues all over the city. Visitors can learn about nature, science and local industries. For further information visit www.techfest.org.uk
DECEMBER 2008: the RSNO Christmas concert brings a touch of festival spirit to Aberdeenfs music hall. The fabulous Royal Scottish National Orchestra will perform Christmas themed classics to a packed out theatre. To find out more go to www.rsno.org.uk
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An autumnal eclair
Jenny Eclair will be bringing her tour to the Aberdeen Music Hall on October 29. Because I Forgot to Get a Pension is a solo performance and audiences can expect to get an earful about passing the milestone of 40 years of age from a larger-than-life lady. After the success of Grumpy Old Women, Eclair is back but on her own and audiences can expect to hear even more swearing, a truly bizarre perspective on life and jokes covering all regions of the anatomy. Tel: +44 (0) 122 464 1122 (Aberdeen Music Hall) www.jennyeclair.com
Magisterial extension
A futuristic granite-and-glass extension to His Majestyfs Theatre (+44 (0) 1224 641 122) was added recently. Part of a £7.4 million programme which has included refurbishment inside the main theatre, the new building has its own open-air terrace, a café, restaurant, bar and foyer, corporate entertainment facilities, and improved facilities for the performers.
His Majesty´s is the venue for some 300 performances a year, ranging from classical ballet to contemporary dance, opera to musicals, and from high drama to light entertainment. www.hmtaberdeen.com
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Aberdeen, Scotlandfs third-largest city, lies between the Don and Dee rivers, backs onto fertile hinterland and faces the North Sea, and owes everything to its coastal position.
A trading port since 1124, the town thrived on fishing and shipping until the early 1970s when it struck rich following the discovery of North Sea oil and gas. Aberdeen became the Dallas of the north, flaunting its new wealth shamelessly.
Although the boom of the 1980s has passed, the town remains prosperous and exudes an air of self-confidence, buzzing with bars, theatres, restaurants and shops, and boasting 2 universities.
It's known as the Granite City, because of the tons used in its striking Gothic architecture, but itfs also dubbed the City of Roses as a result of its profusion of blooms, crammed into parks, gardens and traffic islands, splashing glorious colour against the grey, granite streets. Indeed, such is its "flower power", it was banned from entering the Britain in Bloom competition to give other cities a chance.
Aberdeen still retains its own unique identity, with the 500-year-old University King´s College, Marischal College, St Macharfs Cathedral, Provost Skenefs House and many other architectural gems reflecting a distinct history. The old planned fishing village of Fittie (or Footdee, to give it its Sunday name) and the busy harbour area still gives a flavour of what Aberdeen is all about.
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City centre is compact and the best way to get around is on foot. Start at Union Street, one mile long and, amazingly, built on pillars. Itfs a surprising mix of Victorian Gothic and glass and concrete buildings. It leads to the 13th century Castlegate, dominated by the 17th century Mercat Cross, the focus of the townfs history as a market place and major trading centre.
Further west down Union Street is Broad Street, off which is Aberdeenfs oldest surviving private house, the 16th century Provost Skenefs House, a boldly turreted building saved from demolition by the late Queen Mother. Also off Broad Street is the striking Marischal College. Beyond are two shopping centres and then the wonderful Art Gallery richly-stocked with paintings by Degas, Rossetti, Monet, Pissarro and Sisley, amongst others.
After lunch, visit the Maritime Museum, tracing the town´s seafaring past with a model oil rig and kidsf hands-on area. At the foot of Shiprow is Market Street, lined with vessels from around the world.
End the day at Aberdeen's sandy beach, less than a mile from Union Street. The beachfront area is a family paradise. With 2 miles of golden sands, there are indoor and outdoor attractions for all ages including Miami Beach, Satrosphere - an interactive science museum, the Beach Leisure Centre and multiplex cinema as well as a mix of restaurants old and new.
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With a town full of transient oil workers and business folk during the week, many hotels offer serous discounts. The Britannia Aberdeen is handy for the airport with a 24-hour transfer service, and offers a gym, spa and swimming pool. For easy access to the city centre, The Aberdeen City Hotel is just seven miles from the airport, in the city centre, Book on +44 (0) 871 900 8297 or www.flybehotels.com
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By car: Explore the city and the countryside in comfort and style at great prices! Get the best deal by checking Flybe's partner Avis for the best available car hire rates at www.flybe.com/avis
By road: Aberdeen airport is seven miles northwest of the city centre at Dyce, off the A96 to Inverness.
Contact Flybe's car rental partner Avis for the best available car hire rates.
By bus or coach: First Aberdeen number 27 bus runs regularly up to 6pm Monday - Friday.
By train: A short taxi journey will take you to Dyce Train Station, where there is a regular train service to Aberdeen city centre.
By taxi: Available from the taxi rank outside the airport. Expect to pay around £15 to the city centre.
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Once in Aberdeen, most facilities and attractions are within comfortable walking distance, and regular bus services run in and around the city. Aberdeen was the first city in Scotland to introduce bus-based Park & Ride.
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GOLF: Scottish courses are globally known for pitting golfers against the elements and Aberdeen will test the mettle of the most weather worn pros. Home to one of the oldest links in the world, Aberdeen's courses are set in rugged scenery that characterizes Scotland. With no fewer than nine courses in and surrounding Aberdeen and more scattered across the countryside there will be plenty of challenges to facecweather permitting. Tel: +44 (0) 122 428 8828 or visit www.golf-grampian.co.uk
WALKING: Spectacular views and beautiful wilderness await those who are brave enough to take on the Scottish countryside. With cross-country routes and cliff-top walks there is plenty to see on your travels. You neednft fear getting lost, as all routes are sign posted and ramblers can feel confident that should anything happen support is on hand from the emergency services. With moorland, beaches and forests open to walkers there is always the chance to encounter native wildlife too! Tel: +44 (0) 845 225 5121 or visit walking.visitscotland.com
SNOW SPORTS: When winter descends on the northeast of Scotland the fun really begins. Aberdeen is situated east of two of Scotland's premier centres for snow sports. Skiing, snowboarding and cross-country fans can all find something to do at Glenshee or The Lecht. Outside of the winter months visitors can take in the breathtaking highland scenery, including views of the Cairngorms as well as summer skiing and boarding at The Lecht. The Lecht: Tel: +44(0) 197 565 1440 or visit . For Glenshee: Tel +44 (0) 133 974 1320 .
www.ski-glenshee.co.uk
http://lecht.co.uk
CYCLING: The pedal cycle owes its existence to enterprising Scotsman Kirkpatrick Macmillan, who invented it after watching somebody riding a hobbyhorse. The area is laced with cycle routes and tracks and fraught with challenging terrain or simpler scenic routes through farmland. Whether you want to stick to the roads or take to higher ground with a mountain bike, there is an environment suited to everyonefs tastes and itfs also a great way to take in the Scottish countryside. There are plenty of locations to hire a cycle from and a lot of family friendly routes are available too. Tel: +44 (0) 845 225 5121. http://cycling.visitscotland.com
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With an unfair stigma attached to its location, Aberdeen may not seem the ideal place to invest but this couldnft be further from the truth. Currently a new development is spring up north of Central Aberdeen on the site of a former university campus. CALA Homes is currently in the process of selling 414 newly-built houses giving the leafy environment a new lease of life. Houses have already been sold and reserved but more are available for sale and some have yet to be released onto the market. Ideally situated in Aberdeen, residents have access to all the open parks, leisure facilities and vibrant nightlife that the city has to offer
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You'll find a cosmopolitan metropolis here - home to five star visitor attractions, such as the Gordon Highlanders Museum and the Maritime Museum.
The Aberdeen Maritime Museum (tel: +44 (0) 1224 337 700) on Shiprow, just yards from the city harbour, this excellent museum portrays ga history of the North Seah. Itfs open from 10.00-17.00 Monday-Saturday, and from 12.00-15.00 on Sundays. www.aagm.co.uk
The Gordon Highlanders Museum (tel: +44 (0) 1224 319 323) open April - Oct, Tues - Sat 10.30-16.30, Sunday 13.30-16.30. Enjoy a fascinating and stirring insight into the history, achievements and honours of the regiment. www.gordonhighlanders.com
Aberdeen Art Gallery (tel: +44 (0) 1224 523 700). Open from 10.00-17.00 Monday-Saturday, and from 14.00-17.00 on Sundays, this comparatively unsung gallery has a highly-regarded collection of 20th century and contemporary art, including works by Ben Nicholson and Francis Bacon, and an extraordinary array of Impressionist and post-Impressionist works by Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Bonnard and Degas. www.aagm.co.uk
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What makes Aberdeen even more unique are the treasures waiting to be explored on its doorstep. Sample the gwater of lifeh and visit the eight distilleries and cooperage on the worldfs only Malt Whisky trail. Hundreds of castles can be found dotted around castle country, while the Coastal Trail offers vast empty beaches, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages and dramatic cliff top scenery.
The Balmoral Estate (tel: +44 (0) 1339 742 534) is only open to the public between March 25 and August 1, from 10.00 to 17.00 (last admission 16.00), and visitors can tour a small part of the castle. However, the grounds - all 46,000 acres of them - the gardens, the Carriage Hall and the Ballroom give a real taste of the Royal life of leisure, and the souvenirs take some beating! www.balmoralcastle.com
Cairngorms National Park tor a walk on the wild side (tel: +44 (0) 1479 873 535) is an activity centre in its own right. Depending on the time of year, have a go at skiing, fishing, shooting, bird watching, hiking or simply strolling through the woodlands. At 3,880 square kilometres, Cairngorms is Britain's largest national park - 40 per cent bigger than the Lake District - attracts an estimated 500,000 visitors a year and is home to 25 per cent of the UK's endangered species as well as 17,000 people. www.cairngorms.co.uk
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Thanks to the two thriving universities in Aberdeen, the city is geared up to cater for younger as well as more mature visitors - there's no shortage of action when the sunfs gone down.
The Lemon Tree, tel: +44 (0) 1224 620 610, is the top venue for live jazz and folk, comedy and contemporary drama. www.lemontree.org
Ministry, a church converted into a nightclub, is popular with students, hosting big-name DJs.
Espionage, 120 Union Street, tel: +44 (0) 1224 640 641, is the place for house music, staying open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
If you fancy a pint in a traditional pub, visit the Prince of Wales, 7 St Nicholas Lane, tel: +44 (0) 1244 640 597, one of the most popular places in town.
Aberdeenfs Music Hall, tel: +44 (0) 1244 641 122, is an ornately gilded theatre, seating 1,400 and offers an impressive line-up of acts including the Scottish National Orchestra. Contact the hall for the latest programme and advance tickets.
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City of learning - retains consistently high standards and enjoys its reputation for being at the forefront of new developments.
City of Health - Aberdeen has among the best facilities and expertise in the country.
City of Tourism - is worth ’500 million and employs more than 26,000 people
City of Oil, home to numerous oil companies following 30 years of North Sea exploration.
City Harbour - continues to evolve as a world-class port.
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As one of Scotland's largest cities Aberdeen has a unique character and charm different from its contemporaries. Aberdeen is unapologetically a true Scottish city, but openly embraces more than a hint of international influences, which is reflected in the people and culture.
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