Aberdeen is located on Scotland’s northeast coast, with a population of over 200,000. The city is approximately 120 miles north of Scotland’s capital Edinburgh.
The city is known for being the oil capital of Europe, growing an international presence in the industry in the 1970s after discovery of oil in the North Sea. Aberdeen has a thriving sea port where the Rivers Dee and Don meet the North Sea. It is one of the busiest ports in the United Kingdom.
Aberdeen is also famous for its architecture, where the popularity of granite as a building material means it is often referred to as the Granite City. Most of Aberdeen’s public buildings are found on Union Street where notable buildings include the Town and County Bank, the Music Hall, and the National Bank of Scotland. The North of Scotland Bank, designed by native Aberdeen architect, Archibald Simpson, can be found on the corner of Castle Street and King Street.
Marischal College on Broad Street, opened by King Edward VII in 1906, is the second largest granite building in the world. The building is now used by Aberdeen City Council as its headquarters.
It is thought that Aberdeen’s castle and fortifications were burnt down by King Robert the Bruce in 1308.
Famous residents of Aberdeen include Lord Byron, who spent time in Aberdeen as a young boy; musician Annie Lennox, politician Michael Gove, and Olympic canoer, who won gold at the London 2012 Olympics.
Aberdeen’s neighbouring towns are Kemnay, (23 km) and Newhaven (22km). |
