Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, in relation to the size of the city’s population. Aberdeen’s buildings, since the mid 18th century, have been made using local grey granite and the city is well known for its sandy coastline. This has led to the city being nicknamed the Silver City with the Golden Sands and also the Granite City. However in recent years the city has added 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 of Aberdeen has benefitted greatly from the oil industry and the support industries. Today Aberdeen is thoroughly modern and immensely vibrant with a lively nighlife.
Aberdeen hotels are often booked by business visitors but also by many other types of people eager to take advantage of the many tourist attractions Aberdeen has to offer. Below you will find details of three; Satrosphere Science Centre, Duthie Park Winter Gardens and Aberdeen Maritime Museum:
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Aberdeen is found close to the harbor, at the legendary Shiprow. There are astounding views of the harbour from the museum. The Maritime Museum resides in quite a few buildings, including a former church and one of the oldest residences in Aberdeen. The museum has exhibits that cover everything relating to the seagoing environment, from fishing boats to the oil industry. Basically, the museum conveys the story of the city’s long relationship with the sea. Some of the collections contain ship plans, photographs, models and paintings from the most major of Aberdeen’s shipbuilders.
Duthie Park Winter Gardens
Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston,in 1881, 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 disaster struck and the greenhouses had to be knocked down and rebuilt. This was due to horrendous 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 Temperate House, Japanese Garden, Fern House, Victorian House, Tropical House and Corridor of Perfumes.
Satrosphere Science Centre
In Aberdeen, the Satrosphere Science Center was one of the first science and discovery centers in Scotland. This hands-on, interactive science center, has over fifty exhibits and live science demonstrations, and opened to the public in 1988. Even though the center is aimed at primary age children, the appeal of the exhibits is universal. The center is located in the old tram sheds, near to the beach, on Constitution Street. The aim is to inspire teenagers 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 encircled in a magic bubble.
There are many other visitor attractions in and about Aberdeen which are well worth visiting and the 3 above were chosen randomly. If you are planning to visit Aberdeen, Scotland then you will find numerous quality hotels in Aberdeen, or various other types of accommodation, available to book online.