Aberdeen is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets; its relationship to the North Sea oil platforms has led to the belief that it is a modern, industrial wasteland. However, you couldn’t be more wrong. This ancient city of the north has a long and interesting history, breathtaking scenery and a fabulous array of attractions.

Aberdeen makes great efforts to retain and promote its ancient culture and traditional ways, from its museums and country houses that explain bygone ages, to the dim and distant past exposed at the interactive Archaeolink Prehistory Park.

Local traditions

Aberdeen Maritime Museum is an award-winning destination that fully uncovers the events behind the areas maritime history. The city’s fishermen plying their trade in the rough North Sea, to the challenges of oil exploration, shipbuilding and sea traders in their sloops. All are given space within the museums exciting displays.

Aderdeen is famous for its beef production and Aberdeen Angus beef is one of the juiciest steaks you will find on any menu. The Aberdeenshire Museum of Farming and Pitmedden Gardens in the Aden Country Park shows visitors the traditional farming practices that have been carried out in the region down the centuries.

Other areas where visitors can find Aberdeen’s old trades on display are at the Lighthouse Museum telling the story of how Scotland’s coastline has been protected over time and the Fraserburgh Heritage Centre that shows off the skills of the coopers with their barrel making.

Whisky Trail

Scotland also produces a great diverse range of aromatic whisky and the Aberdeenshire area is equally renowned for its contributions to the variety of golden nectar available. Glenfiddich, Aberlour, Benromach, Glen Moray and Macallan all have distilleries local to Aberdeen and welcome visitors with informative tours and tasting sessions.

Castles and tales

One of the most popular historic tours around Aberdeen is the Castle Trail, taking in 16 of Scotland’s most influential fortifications. Crathes, Fraser, Huntly and Drum are set in the dramatic Scottish landscape and are the nearest to Aberdeen. Crathes with its fairytale exterior, Drum, a gorgeous old tower, with Jacobean extensions and Dunnottar precariously perched 160’ above the raging North Sea. Ghosts, film sets and tales of old all await you on the wonderful Castle trail.

Visiting Scotland

Visitors to the main Scottish cities – Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow will find a huge range of accomodation to suit all needs and budgets.  More and more people are now exploring more of the Scottish landscape and take advantage of the freedom that staying in rented holiday properties offers These can be found online through companies such as http://www.selfcatering-scotland.net where they can search by cottage type, size, location and price.