Aberdeen - The City
Built at the mouth of two of Scotland’s major rivers, the Dee and Don, with the spectacular Grampian Mountains to the west, and miles of unspoiled and beautiful coastline to the east, Aberdeen is a perfect destination for nature lovers. But travellers who rather stay in urban surroundings need not despair – despite its northerly location, Aberdeen features splendid architectural delights, a highly cosmopolitan feel, an exciting nightlife and a wide variety of cultural sights and events bound to make sure all visitors have a great time.
Early Aberdeen consisted of two settlements: one in what is today known as Old Aberdeen, and another on St Katherine’s Hill near the harbour, and was granted its first charter by William the Lion in 1179. Modern Aberdeen began to take shape in the late 18th century on St Katherine’s Hill in a development that featured some spectacular engineering projects. Engineering is still a theme in today’s Aberdeen, following the discovery of oil in the North Sea in 1969, which has earned Aberdeen its modern nicknames, the “Oil Capital of Europe” or the “Houston of the North.” The oil has been highly significant for the development of this thriving city, as it has boosted the local economy, resulting in low unemployment rates and a reputation for being one of the most desirable places in Britain to live and work.
