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Visit Aberdeen in Scotland

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Written by Margie Macleod

Tuesday, 27 May 2008

by MargieMacleod

Aberdeen is one of Scotland's largest cities (with only Edinburgh and Glasgow being larger) and has a couple of nicknames including "the Granite City" and "the Silver City with the Golden Sands". Since the discovery of oil in the North Sea the city has prospered and the local economy is now dominated by oil related industries. However modern the city may appear it has a long and prestigious history with some evidence proving that the area has been inhabited for over 8,000 years.

Aberdeen has a fascinating selection of museums and art galleries and other cultural tourist attractions but most people visit the city to indulge in the lively vibrant nightlife. For those looking for such entertainment Aberdeen has various classy restaurants and bistros, wild nightclubs, numerous cafes and bars and a varied selection of festivals. For the younger visitor there is the incredibly popular 2 mile beach with the usual selection of fairground rides and other seaside attractions.

Of special note is the House of Fun which is situated along the Beach Esplanade. The House of Fun has a whole host of various fun areas over two floors including popular driving games and other video games, simulators, the foam factory, the family amusement arcade and much, much more.

Inside the House of Fun you will find a selection of places to eat, some focused on families while others are altogether more adult. Of special note is the Motown Bar which often features live music, has a large screen television and a BBQ terrace. You will, of course, also find places to buy souvenirs, gifts and the likes.

Of course many people visit Aberdeen to do some shopping and for many in the surrounding rural areas this is vitally important. The main shopping district is around Union Street which has some of the usual retail outlets and other shops however many folk head to the Bon Accord St Nicholas Shopping Centre which is a large indoor shopping mall on two levels. There are several other shopping centers/malls including The Academy and The Mall which are well worth visiting as they contain other types of shops including more upmarket stores and different high street brands.

The city of Aberdeen has a proud tradition in sporting excellence.

Aberdeen, like many other places in Scotland, has a long association with the game of golf. Way back in 1780 the world's sixth oldest golf club was founded, the "Society of Golfers at Aberdeen". In 1903 the club was awarded Royal status and was renamed the "Royal Aberdeen Golf Club" (having changed it's name to Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815) and the club has two golf courses, the Silverburn Course and the Championship Links at Balgownie. There are six public golf courses in Aberdeen; Hazlehead (3 courses, 2 x 18-hole, 1 x 9-hole Pitch and Putt), Balnagask Golf Course (2 courses 1 x 18-hole, 1 x 6-hole) and Auchmill Golf Course.

In 1903 Aberdeen FC, Aberdeen's main soccer team, was formed. The team went on to have some success in Europe and, in the 1980's, the football club won the Scottish Premier League a total of three times. Much of this success has been credited to Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson CBE who was their manager at the time. Besides soccer the folk of Aberdeen enjoy all manner of sports and there are excellent facilities spread across the city.

About the Author:

Margie Macleod writes about hotels in Aberdeen but also about the area she lives, especially about Harris self catering accommodation

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