ABERDEEN UK - a day trip from Inverness.

Aberdeen UK, known as the UK s  "granite city" because of the ubiquitous granite stone used for building many of its houses. Also famous for the North Sea oil industry, drilling rigs, multinational contracts and helicopter flights to production platforms far beyond the grey horizon. Aberdeen ( UK ) has many interesting things to see and do.

Aberdeen has many other interesting features, the City University, one of the oldest in Scotland, the busy fishing harbour, it is also noted for its municipal flower borders and gardens and has been a regular winner of the "Britain in Bloom" competition.

Aberdeen is approximately two and a half hours travelling time away from Water's Edge by car along the A96 road and there are regular flights from Aberdeen to Inverness. 

A fantastic range of first class restaurants and a vibrant nightlife combined with a thriving cultural calendar and shops galore, all help make Scotland’s third largest city well worth the trip.

The capital of the Grampian Highlands is even more unique thanks to the treasures on its doorstep. Sample the "water of life" and visit the eight distilleries and cooperage on the world’s only Malt Whisky Trail.

Follow the Castle Trail taking in 13 of the finest gems the region has to offer. Or head to the coast where vast empty beaches, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages and dramatic cliff top scenery are waiting to be explored. Hit the ski slopes, play on championship golf courses or follow in Queen Victoria’s footsteps – the choice is yours. The granite buildings such as Marishal College, His Majesty’s Theatre and St. Machar’s Cathedral give the city its distinctive look, whilst historical Old Aberdeen and the fishing village of Footdee, have an incredible air of time gone by.

Some things don’t change. You cannot escape the sea here, not since it was founded as a Royal burgh in the UK back in 1124. The influence of the harbour is everywhere (as are the gulls!), and the harvest of the North Sea continues. Where once streamlined clipper ships left the slipways for the China tea trade, now oil executives from all over the world drive to their comfortable homes in the suburbs. Aberdeen has won the UK's ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition many times and has taken its floral pulling power on to the European stage. The statistics are all there: two million roses, eleven million daffodils, three million crocuses. You get the picture. Where other cities resort to grass, Aberdeen employs petal-power. One top attraction is the Winter Gardens in the Duthie Park, home to the stunning Rose Mountain. Even in the depths of winter, the aptly-named Winter Gardens provide colour and scent. At two acres (one hectare), it provides what some say is the largest area under glass in Europe. The City of Aberdeen with a proud and fascinating history presents a modern cosmopolitan image to visitors. A thriving cultural calendar, lively theatre, and vibrant nightlife, along with excellent restaurants and attractions makes Aberdeen an energising city break choice.