Destinations > Scotland > Central Scotland > Aberdeen

Aberdeen

Scotland's third largest city is a prosperous place that is the centre of Britain's oil industry. In addition to being the operations centre for the North Sea oilrigs, the Granite City has a strong student culture and some good pubs.

Practical Information

Aberdeen Tourist Information Centre

23 Union Street, Aberdeen

Tel (01224) 288828

Website www.agtb.org

Open Jan-Jun Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9.30am-7pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm

Coming & Going

Aberdeen has good transport connections to destinations throughout Scotland.

AIR

The busy airport (tel (01244) 722 331; website www.baa.co.uk/main/airports/aberdeen/) has flights to many regional airports in the UK and International flights to Denmark, France, Faeroe Islands, Ireland and Norway. Bus 27 runs between the airport and the city centre.

BUS

Guild Street Coach Station has hourly buses to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and less frequent buses to most other Scottish destinations.

TRAIN

The train station is next to the coach terminal and there are hourly trains to Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as regular trains to Inverness and London.

FERRY

Aberdeen has a busy port with Northlink ferries (website www.northlinkferries.co.uk) sailing from here to the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

Local Transport

Aberdeen's public transport system, run by First Aberdeen (tel (01224) 650 065; website www.firstgroup.com), is comprised of an extensive network of bus routes. Buses on major routes run every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm.

Fares vary between 60p and £1.30 depending on the distance travelled. FirstDay is a day pass that costs £2.60, or £2.30 if purchased after 9.30am Mon-Fri and all day on weekends, and gives you one day of unlimited bus travel in the Aberdeen area (FirstDay isn't valid on night buses and park and ride services). Weekly and monthly tickets are also available.

Accommodation

Aberdeen SYHA (King George VI Memorial Hostel)

8 Queens Road, Aberdeen AB15 4ZT
Tel (01224) 646 988 or 0870 155 3255

Eating & Drinking

Aberdeen is hardly a gastronomic paradise, but it does have some good budget eating options including the Ashvale fish and chip shop (42 Great Western Road, Aberdeen; tel (01224) 596 981). The Safeway supermarket at 215 King Street is a good place to go if you want to stock up on picnic supplies or food to cook back at the hostel.

Sights

Aberdeen Art Gallery

Aberdeen's art gallery features a graceful marble interior and an art collection that includes the work of Impressionists and the Scottish Colourists.

Schoolhill, Aberdeen

Tel (01224) 523 700.

Website www.aagm.co.uk

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

This maritime museum chronicles the city's bond with the sea. Exhibits cover topics such as fishing, the North Sea oil industry, shipbuilding and the history of the port.

Shiprow, Aberdeen

Tel (01224) 337700

Website www.aagm.co.uk

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-3pm

Gordon Highlanders Museum

This museum focuses on the kilted soldiers of the British Army's Gordon Highlanders Regiment. In addition to the museum's historical collection there are touch screen interactive displays and an audio-visual presentation.

St Lukes, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen

Tel (01224) 319323

Website www.gordonhighlanders.com

Admission £2.50

Open Apr-Oct Tue-Sat 10.30am-4.30pm (last entry 4pm), Sun 1.30pm-4.30pm (last entry 4pm)

Provost Skene's House

This 16th century mansion has been restored with an elegant 17th century interior and it also contains art and local history exhibits.

Guestrow, off Broad Street, Aberdeen

Tel (01224) 523702

Website www.aagm.co.uk

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-4pm

Satrosphere

This hands-on science museum has over 70 exhibits plus science demonstrations. Like most science museums, it is primarily a children's attraction.

179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen

Tel (01224) 622 211

Website www.satrosphere.net

Admission £5

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11.30am-5pm