Aberdeen Local Custom Tips by scottishvisitor Top 5 Page for this destination

From Education to Business

The Marischal College is the second largest granite building in the world, the largest is the Escorial in Madrid. The students have moved out of this historic and beautiful building to pastures modern and new.
Marischal College with its attatched Church will now be the new home of Aberdeen Council, their present building at St. Nicholas house will be demolished, a good thing for Aberdeen. I only hope they will not advertise in windows or on the beautiful building. The Church at the end of the college has long been a favourite with graduates weddings and I do hope this tradition continues. On a recent visit this building turned from its silver grey granite to a nice shade of pink to warm up the winter here

Website: http://www.aboutaberdeen.com

Remembering Piper Alpha

It is very hard to believe and relive the Piper Alpha Disaster which happened at 22.00 hours on 6th. July 1988, Twenty years have gone by but memories remain here of the world worst off shore disaster. One Hundred and sixty seven men were lost to this tragedy with only 62 men pulled from the sea with horrific burns injuries. A service was held in the Auld Kirk of Saint Nicholas near Aberdeen's Union Street to commemorate this sad anniversary. This momument lies in Hazelhead Park a tribute from Sue Jane Taylor. Many people in the North East will remember Piper Alpha. I for one sat on the beach in Cruden Bay watching as the many helicopters flew by in such futile search of the living. The monument to ordinary working men is a lasting memorial to their soul.

A surprise awaits in the tiny streets of Footdee

Tiny streets with old seafarers cottages and houses on one side with the pretty gardens with what were summer houses in days long gone on the other. Each one is different and they provide lots of interest. The houses in the tiny streets are mostly single story fishermen's cottages, only one has three stories, this was a Merchant's House and the additional stories were to show his position and wealth. In one of the photos you can see how small the houses are at the rear, this was because they were build backing onto the sea and the low height offered protection from the damaging effects of the sea.
The summer houses are now used as sheds but still retain their quaint charm

Website: http://www.aboutaberdeen.com

Highly decorative water stand pipes

The old water stand pipes still exsist in rural Aberdeenshire, Usually found near a beach - to wash off the sand from your feet or give your dog a drink. They are made of cast iron and usually very decrotive
This one is in the fishing village of Footdee, locally known as the Fitties near the end of the beach esplanade

Website: http://www.aboutaberdeen.com

Shout Bingo - House - Aye - Right

Bingo is very popular in the UK - Some of my friends are into this, but not me, if I ever play, which is always under duress, from peer pressure and I am waiting for the last number, I am at a loss for words to say -HOUSE - BINGO - AYE or indeed - RIGHT, I would be most probably wrong

Website: http://www.aboutaberdeen.com

Watch the Ships as they enter Aberdeen

Footdee (The Fitties) is a great place to watch the ships enter via the small port on route to Aberdeen Harbour.
The ships are met by a pilot boat before entry - the pilot then takes control of the ship and steers her safely through the port and continues onwards to the main harbour which is in the city.

Website: http://www.aboutaberdeen.com

Get a Kilt Made in the Aberdeen Tartan

The Aberdeen Tartan was designed for the City and the rural hinterland. The city was granted a Royal Charter by William the Lion in 1179. There is a kilt hire shop MaCaull's in Aberdeen but they don't have this tartan but the Kilt Makers Alexander Scott will make up this tartan for you.

Website: http://www.alexanderscott.co.uk

Why is Robert Burns in Aberdeen?

Robert Burns - Scotland's National Bard & famous poet came to Aberdeen on Sunday the 9th. September 1787 as part of his Highland tour. Aberdeen is not in the highlands but in those days roads were few so he would have had to travel up from Ayr on the old coast road then west towards Inverness. Robert, a man of many words recorded in his journal that Aberdeen was a lazy town - he must have only visited the Rosemount & Union Terrace area & missed the textile mills & busy harbour docks! The statue you see today in Aberdeen was designed by a local sculptor Henry Bain Smith and was unveiled on the 15th. September 1892.

If you want an education -

Aberdeen, as a university city has many campuses spread throughout the city. Robert Gordon University or to use its local name RGU has its campus on the aptly named Schoolhill.
On this campus you will find the Students' Union & the International Office ( where overseas students receive help in settling in, grants & language help.
The students study in the School of Pharmacy & School of Engineering.

Why is William Wallace in Aberdeen?

I have passed by the statue of William Wallace in Aberdeen's Rosemount district many times & often wondered why this passionate patriot , who accured neither wealth or land, would be remembered in a city far North of his haunting grounds of Stirling. A visit to a web site electricscotland.com held the answer. After Wallace's trial in London for treason he was hung, drawn & quartered, his head was placed on London Bridge, his right arm was sent to Newcastle upon Tyne, his left arm was sent to Berwick, his right leg was sent to Perth & finally his left leg arrived in Aberdeen. This was done as a warning to Scots but had the opposite effect, making Wallace's famous cry FREEDOM ring round Scotland to this day.

Website: http://electricscotland.com