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Known as the 'Granite City' and the oil capital of Great Britain, Aberdeen is located on the east coast of Aberdeenshire, where visitors will find  it edged by a two mile long, clean sandy beach. Its promenade  is a pleasant place for a stroll on a summer   evening.  At the harbour end of the beach is the picturesque fishing hamlet of FootDee or 'Fittie' which is worth a look.

The City Council in conjunction with the Past Times Theatre Company organise occasional historical walks through Fittie.  Visitors are led back in time to view the lives of fisher folk in Fittie. To find out more or to book a place, call the Tollbooth Museum on 01224 337700.

Across the road from the beach is the relatively new Queens Links Leisure Park complex of cinema, restaurants, cafes, bars, night clubs, bingo, amusements arcades, ten pin bowling and fun fair.  It's a popular place for a day or night out, with plenty of free car parking space. Codona's run the amusements - arm bands can be purchased for the rides for a half or full day, or strips of tickets for individual rides.

In between the Beach Ballroom (with rooms for hire) and the Amusement park is a children's' swing park and outdoor bowls. Across the road, the indoor council run swimming pool has a leisure pool with various shallow pools for small children and a wave machine for a bit of excitement. You will need twenty pence for the lockers.  There are also fitness suites and a cafe.  Next door to the pool is the Linx Ice Arena with its thrills and spills closely followed by the King's Links for a round of golf.

The beach area and car parks is also a place for young people to hang out on a Friday or Saturday night.  They appear to congregate in their cars or just drive up and down the road checking out the talent.

This area is also home to the Dons (Aberdeen Football Club), at Pittodrie Stadium. Take in a match whilst you're here?

Satrosphere is a science based, hands-on discovery centre for children of all ages, located close to Pittodrie at 179 Constitution Street.  Still on the scientific theme , Aberdeen Planetarium offers guided tours in Gallowgate.  Telephone 01224 612323.

Families with children will enjoy spending time at one of Aberdeen's parks; Duthie Park, alongside the Dee in Polmuir Road, with its winter gardens, boating pond, swing park, and tennis or Hazlehead Park (Hazlehead Avenue) with its animal corner, beautiful gardens, swing park, putting, maze, crazy golf and restaurant. Remember to take bread with you to feed the ducks at both parks.

Another place to take young children to is Storybook Glen in Maryculter, just south west of Aberdeen on the B9077, Telephone 01224 732 941.  Children can meet life-size figures from familiar  nursery rhymes and stories in the 28 acre landscaped gardens, complete with fairytale castle and secret waterfalls.  It's open daily March to October but weekends only the rest of the year.

Everyone will want to go shopping at some time.  The main shopping centre runs along Union Street where you will find a good choice of the usual shops plus one or two with a distinctly Scottish flavour.  Two indoor shopping centres at Bon Accord and the Trinity Centre offer shopping under cover. Parking can be both expensive and difficult.  One point to watch is that although multi-storey parking is on offer, some of these car parks close with the shops at the end of the evening and your car could be facing an overnight stay if you don't return in time.  If you don't mind a bit of a walk (a mile or so), park on the Esplanade at the beach, or in the shopping centre car park opposite the Queens Links Leisure Park at the beach,  or a few roads away from Union Street and walk!

If you enjoy a stroll along cobbled streets, Old Aberdeen with its 16th Century stone buildings and attractive gardens may appeal to you.  This is where the university is located and the 15th Century Kings College Chapel (view by arrangement, Tel: 01224 273325).  St. Machar's Cathedral with its heraldic ceiling, in the Chanonry is open to the public daily.

Marischal Museum is to be found within another architecturally beautiful building - Marischal College in Broad Street. 

Aberdeen's close relationship with the sea can be rediscovered at the Maritime Museum in Shiprow just off of Union Street.  The interior of the museum has been creatively built to resemble a ship.  It has a cafe, excellent toilets, and helpful informative attendants.  Tel: 01224 337700.

Lovers of the arts will enjoy a performance at His Majesty's Theatre (01224 637788),  the Arts Centre, Music Hall or the Lemon Tree. A short break in Aberdeen with theatre trip is highly recommended. Aberdeen Art Gallery in Schoolhill awaits your pleasure.  Provost Skene's House with its period displays and 'In your own back yard' exhibition has free entry to the public.  Many Aberdonians know it for its rather nice coffee bar and dainty 'pieces'. The new cafe bar has a glass floor that allows you to peer into the Cellar below where snack meals, wine and beer are on the menu. The house is open 10.am. - 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Sundays. The Cellar is open the same hours Monday to Wednesday and Saturday, then extended hours to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Fridays.

Belmont Street in Aberdeen, between Union Street and Schoolhill is now an exciting and stylish road full of excellent bars, eateries and decorative shops.  

If you want a full meal rather than a snack, there are numerous great pubs and restaurants.  A particular favourite that I must mention is Shelley Leigh's Restaurant at the Charlotte Pub in 79 Charlotte Street (just off George Street).  It's a cross between a pub and restaurant; the food is superb; the service considerate and the price moderate. Great for after a shopping expedition lunch, pre-theatre or dinner, but do book to ensure a table, Tel: 01224 649576.

Self-catering holiday accommodation in and around Aberdeen can be found using the Feature Pages menu and looking under Grampian.

Click on the cockerel at the top left of the page to return to the Country Cottages home page and extra self-catering accommodation options at any time.