Aberdeen - the city of sparkles?
There is a lot more to this city than just its wonderful granite buildings.
I stopped by in Aberdeen for a visit on my way back home to East Anglia from my Norway trip. To say I was pleasantly surprised at what Aberdeen had on offer is a serious understatement. I was wow’d over, seriously impressed on what Aberdeen is on a daily basis and what impression it made on me a mature solo traveller and Gran!
My Aberdeen adventure started out with me thinking…Scotland is a cold dour place, and surely there won’t be much in the way of history or tourist attractions to keep this Gran happy… but no the sun was shining, and the warm smell of spring was in the air during my brief stop over here.
Do you ever visit a place and think, “Why haven’t I been here sooner?” That was me in Aberdeen. Nestled way up in the northeast corner of Scotland, it doesn’t always make the top 10 tourist lists, but let me tell you—Aberdeen is seriously underrated. Whether you’re into history, architecture, art, or just nosing around quirky little shops, it’s got a vibe. A cool, windswept, slightly stubborn vibe that says, “Aye, we’ve been through some things, but look at us now.”
Let’s talk diversity first—Aberdeen has a lot on its mind, metaphorically speaking. It’s a city of thinkers. Not content with one University, it has two!! The University of Aberdeen has been around since 1495. That’s older than some countries. It gives the city this hum of intellectual energy.
Smart, proud, the people I met are a little reserved at first, but once they open up, they’ll talk your ear off about everything from oil rigs to Robert Burns.
Speaking of people, Aberdonians are a tough breed—in the best way. This is a city that’s weathered harsh North Sea storms, economic ups and downs, and still managed to hold its head high.
The locals have a dry sense of humour (very dry, like Scottish oatcakes , as a Yorkshire lass with a similar sense of humour I get it!). They love their city. There’s something kind of beautiful about that, when people aren’t just living somewhere, but really belong to it.
When it comes tohistory. Aberdeen’s got layers. Think medieval streets, Victorian grandeur, and more than a few ghost stories. Walk through Old Aberdeen and you’ll feel like you stepped back in time. Cobblestones, ancient university buildings, and a cathedral that looks like it could tell you secrets if you listen close enough. Then there’s the maritime stuff—this place was once a huge fishing and shipbuilding hub. The Maritime Museum is a gem, tucked right in the city centre, and it gives you a real sense of how intertwined Aberdeen is with the sea. Oil might be the headline now, but boats and fishing nets built this city too.
And oh, the architecture. Aberdeen is known as the “Granite City,” and that’s no joke. Everything’s built from this silver-grey stone that somehow sparkles when the sun decides to show up (which, to be fair, isn’t that often—but when it does, wow). It gives the city this almost regal look. Stately. Solid. And not just in an old-timey way—there’s some wild modern stuff mixed in too. Check out the brutalist beauty of Marischal College, or the sleek curves of the new exhibition centre by the airport. Granite never looked so good.
Industry-wise, you can’t talk about Aberdeen without mentioning oil. Black gold. The North Sea boom turned this quiet coastal city into a global hub of energy, and even now, despite the shift toward renewables, it still has that oil-town swagger. There’s a kind of gritty determination that comes with being a place where fortunes have been made and lost. You feel it in the pubs, in the boardrooms, and in the crane-filled skyline.
But don’t let all that industry talk fool you—Aberdeen has soul too. The arts scene is buzzing. Check out the Aberdeen Art Gallery—it’s fresh off a major refurb and packed with everything from classic Scottish landscapes to bold contemporary installations. Music? They’ve got it. From traditional ceilidhs to underground indie gigs. And there’s something very cool about hearing bagpipes in the morning and synth-pop at night, all in the same city.
When it comes to commerce, Aberdeen isn’t just oil and gas. Walk down Union Street (they call it the “Granite Mile”) and you’ll see everything from high street chains to funky little boutiques. And the food scene is catching up fast—fresh seafood (obviously), cool coffee shops, and even a decent vegan burger if that’s your thing. There’s a real push now for local, sustainable, and artisan stuff. Farmers’ markets, craft brewers, whisky distilleries. It’s Scotland, after all.
I could not visit this great place though without the traditional…peppery savoury delight!
And let’s not forget the coast—Aberdeen’s beach is right there. A ten-minute walk from the city centre and boom: dunes, waves, and the occasional curious seal popping its head up. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with a beach in a city, but Aberdeen does that to you.
To sum it up? Aberdeen is a bit of a paradox. Old and new, grey and glittering, hardworking and creative. It’s not the kind of place that shouts for attention—but it doesn’t need to. Spend a few days here, breathe in that sea air, soak up the granite glow, and you’ll get it. Aberdeen doesn’t try to impress. It just is. And that’s exactly why it sticks with you.
Travel never fails to surprise me, when I least expect it too. Perhaps thats why I am addicted to exploring new places, and digging deeper into its heritage.
Er a visitor, not a tourist. Embrace any place you visit, it will likely have more stories to tell than you could ever imagine!
‘Til next time…