City of Aberdeen

Aberdeen, distinctively built in grey granite, is Scotland's third largest city. The North Sea Oil boom made the city Europe's energy capital, but its history and prosperity date much further back than the discovery of black gold, as the mouths of the rivers Don and Dee have been settled for 8,000 years.

It received a Royal Charter from Robert the Bruce, and the University - third oldest in Scotland - today forms the heart of the historic district of Old Aberdeen. To the south lies the bustling commercial centre, dominated by the great granite building of Marischal College but today renowned for its shopping. To the east is the harbour and Footdee (or 'Fittie') - an old fishing village - together with a feature unique amongst the larger cities of the UK - a long, sandy beach.