Aberdeen

Aberdeen has grown considerably since 1972 and is now the third largest city in Scotland.  There is much there for visitors who have an interest in history and art. The oldest house in Aberdeen is Provost Skene's House. Built in 1545, it was once the home of Sir George Skene, a mayor of Aberdeen in the 17th century. Two hundred years of design can be seen inside the period rooms. The Aberdeen Maritime Museum is  located in Shiprow, overlooking the harbour. Exhibitions trace the local seafaring history of Aberdeen.

The Art Gallery features collections of 18th to 20th century art. The decorative arts collection is comprised mostly of Aberdonian silver. Collections of jewellery, ceramics, tapestries and glass can all be seen there. St. Machar's Cathedral is a 15th century granite structure built by Bishop Lichtoun. The stonework of one of the arches dates back to the 14th century. The nave currently serves as the parish church. The oak ceiling is covered with 48 shields from Pope Leo X, St. Margaret, and many kings, bishops and nobles of Scotland Marischal College was founded in 1593 by George Keith, the 5th Earl Marischal. In 1906, Marishcal College joined with King's College and formed Aberdeen University. In Mitchell Hall a window can be seen that illustrates the history of the University. This section of the college is open to visitors.  

Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with the Sea. This award-winning museum is located on the historic Shiprow and incorporates Provost Ross's House, which was built in 1593. The Maritime Museum houses a unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history. It is also the only place in the UK where you can see displays on the North Sea oil and gas industry. Aberdeen Maritime Museum offers visitors a spectacular viewpoint over the busy harbour.

Aberdeen has its own food such as the Aberdeen Buttery which is nicknamed the Rowie. There is also mealie puddings, haggis, tablet, pan drops, Lorne square sausages, soups like Cullen Skink soup or Scotch Broth and main meals like skirlie and stovies.

Aberdeen's oceanic climate results in it being surprisingly mild on average, for such a northern European city. Its northern latitude, however, does mean very short days in the winter, with as few as seven hours of daylight during the winter solstice. By the end of January, daylight lasts for over eight hours and by the early summer months, the city enjoys some 18 daylight hours and eerie nautical twilight for the rest of the night.The climate in Aberdeen is moderated by its coastal position, with average winter temperatures ranging from 6°C / 43°F to 10°C / 50°F and summer temperatures of between 11°C / 52°F and 18°C / 64°F. The downside of its unprotected coastal position is that biting winds and driving rain from the North Sea sweep in across the city, especially in winter.