Aberdeen Reviews

Living in Aberdeen

Aberdeen has the distinction of being the home of one of the oldest universities both in the UK and Europe, and hosts both Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen.

You can certainly see the history when you arrive in Aberdeen, particularly in the Old Town which still has its cobbles and old-style houses. The beautiful grey granite architecture leaves you in no doubt where you are and gives Aberdeen a distinguished edge. Not for nothing is it nicknamed ‘The Silver City’.

Aberdeen is home to both Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen, and the two face off every year in the Granite City Challenge. There’s a lot of banter but it’s all friendly, and the two universities team up for the town-wide Torcher Parade. Back in the day the students used to ride on horse-drawn carts, but these days they get to ride on lorries instead.

About 10% of the town is made up of students, so a lot of the clubs, pubs and bars host promos and dedicated student nights. Firm favourites include Triple Kirks/Exodus, TigerTiger, and Snafu. On the weirder side there’s also the gothic-themed Slains Castle, set inside an old church building. For that and the 7 Deadly Sins inspired cocktail list it’s definitely worth a look.

The Union Square, Trinity and Academy Shopping Centres are right at the heart of Aberdeen’s retail zone, with Union Street being the main high street area. There’s a few cinemas in this area, but it’s the live venues that really set Aberdeen apart. Bigger centres like the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre AECC), His Majesty’s Theatre and the Music Hall are the focus for concerts, musicals and theatre. Smaller venues like the Blue Lamp and Lemon Tree specialise in areas like comedy and alternative music, so keep an eye on their schedules for upcoming events.

It’s raining! Where should I go?

• Aberdeenshire Castle Trail: If you like castles, you’ll love this. The list covers thirteen of the best castles the region has to offer (although we can’t guarantee all the roofs are still in one piece. Take an umbrella, just in case.)
• Maritime Museum: This museum tracks Aberdeen’s heritage as a port and fishing town. And the view of the harbour’s not bad either.
• Whisky: Probably Scotland’s most famous export, so it would be a shame not to find out some more about it. The Glen Garioch Distillery is about half an hour outside the city and will give a tour, as well as a wee dram or two for you to sample.

It’s stopped raining! Quick, where should I go?

• Golf: Like most Scottish cities, there’s a wee bit of a golf fixation going on, with half a dozen large golf courses spread round the outskirts of Aberdeen. Why not try your hand at it?
• Cairngorms National Park: The stunning heart of the Highlands. Head here for outdoor adventuring, and perhaps a glimpse of majestic red deer or golden eagles.
• Coastline: Aberdeen’s own beach is pretty nice and sandy, and if you want to go further afield you’ll find everything from quiet fishing villages to dramatic clifftops.

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