Aberdeen: The Granite City And Places To Visit
Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, in relation to the size of the city’s population. Since the mid eighteenth century Aberdeen’s buildings have been built using local grey granite and the city is well known for its sandy coastline. This has led to the city being nicknamed the Granite City and also the Silver City with the Golden Sands. However more recently the city has also gained the nicknames of the Oil Capital of Europe or the Energy Capital of Europe due to the discovery of oil in the North Sea. The city has benefitted greatly from its involvement in the oil industry and the support industries. Nowadays the city is thoroughly modern and incredibly vibrant with a lively nighlife.
Aberdeen hotels are often booked by businessmen but also by various other types of visitors wishing to take advantage of the many tourist attractions the city has to offer. Below you will find details about three; Duthie Park Winter Gardens, Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Satrosphere Science Centre:
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Aberdeen’s Maritime Museum is situated near to the harbor, at the legendary Shiprow. There are superb views of the harbour from the museum. The Maritime Museum can be found in quite a few buildings, which include a former church and one of the oldest dwellings in Aberdeen. The museum has exhibits that include everything to do with the oceanic environment, from fishing boats to the oil industry. Basically, the museum conveys the story of the city’s epic relationship with the ocean. Some of the collections contain models, paintings, ship plans and photographs donated by the most important shipbuilders of Aberdeen.
Duthie Park Winter Gardens
In 1881, Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston, gifted 44 acres of land, to the council. The land for the park was purchased, as a lasting memorial to her brother and uncle. In 1899, the gardens were ready, and were opened to the public. However, in 1969 misfortune occurred and the greenhouses had to be knocked down and rebuilt. This was due to severe storm damgage. Today, one of Scotland’s favourite garden attractions are the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park, and also the largest indoor gardens in the whole of Europe. Each greenhouse has an important collection such as, the Tropical House, Temperate House, Japanese Garden, Fern House, Victorian House and Corridor of Perfumes.
Satrosphere Science Centre
One of the first science and discovery centers in Scotland was the, Satrosphere Science Center, in Aberdeen. This hands-on, interactive science center, has over 50 exhibits and live science shows, and opened to the public in 1988. Although the center is aimed at primary age children, the appeal of the exhibits is universal. The center is located in the old tram sheds, nearby the beach, on Constitution Street. The aim is to inspire children to become scientist’s, as interest in science courses in universities, is in decline. One of the favorite exhibits at the center is the famous giant soap bubble, where each child can be enclosed within a magic bubble.
There are many more visitor attractions in and about Aberdeen which are worthwile visiting and the 3 above were randomly chosen. If you are planning to visit Aberdeen, Scotland then you will find numerous quality hotels in Aberdeen, or many other forms of accommodation, available to book online.
