Aberdeen: Scotland, Places To Visit In The Granite City
Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city, in relationship to population size. Since the mid 18th century Aberdeen’s buildings have been built using local grey granite and the city has a sandy coastline. This has led to the city being nicknamed the Granite City and also the Silver City. However in more recent times the city has also gained 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 has greatly benefitted from the revenue generated by the oil industry and the support industries. Today the city is thoroughly modern and incredibly vibrant with a lively nighlife.
Aberdeen hotels are often booked by visiting businessmen and businesswomen but also by various other types of people keen to enjoy the many visitor attractions the city has to offer. Below you will discover details about three; Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Duthie Park Winter Gardens and Satrosphere Science Centre:
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum in Aberdeen is found near to the harbor, at the legendary Shiprow. There are astounding panoramas across the harbour from the museum. The Maritime Museum inhabits quite a few buildings, which include a former church and one of the oldest homes in Aberdeen. The museum has exhibits which cover everything to do with the oceanic environment, from fishing boats to the oil industry. In essence, the museum tells the story of Aberdeen’s long relationship with the ocean. Some of the collections contain photographs, ship plans, paintings and models 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, when the gardens were completed, they opened up to the public. However, in 1969 misfortune occurred and the greenhouses had to be knocked down and rebuilt. 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 Fern House, Victorian House, Japanese Garden, Tropical House, Temperate 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 fifty exhibits and live science demonstrations, and opened to the public in 1988. Even though the center is aimed at primary age children, the attraction of the exhibits is universal. The center is found in the old tram sheds, close to the beach, on Constitution Street. The purpose is to inspire youngsters to become scientist’s, as entry into science courses in universities, is in decline. One of the best loved exhibits at the center is the famous giant soap bubble, where each child can be encircled within a magic bubble.
There are a great many more tourist attractions in and about Aberdeen which are well worth visiting and those above were chosen randomly. If you are planning to spend some time in Aberdeen, Scotland then you will discover numerous quality hotels in Aberdeen, or many other forms of accommodation, available to book online.
Tags: Aberdeen, Scotland, Scottish vacations, United Kingdom