Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, in relationship to population numbers. Aberdeen’s buildings, since the mid 18th century, have been made using local grey granite and the city benefits from its sandy coastline. This has led to the city being nicknamed the Granite City and also the Silver City with the Golden Sands. However in more recent times the city has added the nicknames of the Energy Capital of Europe or the Oil Capital of Europe due to the discovery of oil in the North Sea. The city of Aberdeen has benefitted greatly from the income generated by the oil industry and the support industries. Nowadays the city is thoroughly modern and immensely vibrant with a wild nighlife.
Aberdeen hotels are often booked by people visiting on business but also by various other types of tourists eager to take advantage of the many tourist attractions Aberdeen has to offer. Below you will read details of three; Duthie Park Winter Gardens, Satrosphere Science Centre and Aberdeen Maritime Museum:
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Aberdeen is found near to the harbor, at the legendary Shiprow. There are astounding panoramas of the harbour from the museum. The Maritime Museum inhabits quite a few buildings, which include a former church and one of the oldest residences in Aberdeen. The museum has exhibits which include everything relating to the seagoing environment, from the oil industry to the fishing boats. 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 from the most major of Aberdeen’s shipbuilders.
Duthie Park Winter Gardens
In 1881, Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston, gifted to the council, 44 acres of land. The land for the park was purchased, as a lasting memorial to her uncle and brother. In 1899, when the gardens were completed, they opened up to the public. However, in 1969 disaster struck and the greenhouses had to be demolished and reconstructed. This was due to severe storm damgage. Today, the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park are one of Scotland’s favourite garden attractions, and also the largest indoor gardens in the whole of Europe. Each greenhouse has an important collection such as, the Victorian House, Tropical House, Temperate House, Japanese Garden, Fern 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 interactive, hands-on science center, has more than 50 exhibits and live science shows, and opened to the public in 1988. Although the center is aimed at school age children, the attraction of the exhibits is universal. The center is situated in the old tram sheds, close to the sea front, on Constitution Street. The purpose is to inspire youngsters 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 encompassed within a magic bubble.
There are many more visitor attractions in and about Aberdeen which are well worth visiting and the above three were chosen randomly. If you are planning to take a vacation in Aberdeen, Scotland then you will find numerous quality hotels in Aberdeen, or many other types of accommodation, available to book online.
