Aberdeen – A Hidden Gem in Scotland

It may not dominate travel brochures like the Bahamas or any of the other photogenic destinations, but there is no doubt that Scotland still occupies a good portion of the tourism market.

Aberdeen, the “granite city,” as it is colloquially called, in the North East, may be known for its oil industry, but there is much more to it than that. Aberdeen is not only a beautiful city to visit, but accommodation in the area is much more affordable compared to other well-known destinations.

Dolphin Watching

This is the kind of attraction usually reserved for completely exotic climates, but the fact that dolphins can be observed in the sea around Aberdeen means that this is one of the most beautiful things in the region.

There are countless cruises from the port that take you out to sea so you can enjoy the white-beaked dolphins and risso. In fact, if you look hard enough, you can even see a small whale.

Balmoral Castle

For all Royal lovers, Balmoral Castle should definitely be on your agenda. It is one of the official residences of the royal family, although, of course, there are other reasons to visit the castle.

For starters, it’s a Category A listed building, which means its architecture is truly unparalleled. It is usually open to the public from April to July, because in addition, the Queen will usually stay.

Glen Dronach Distillery

It’s not its main industry, but there’s no doubt that whiskies are big in Aberdeen. This is something that can be taken over by the Glen Dronach distillery, which allows visitors to take a look at the process of distilling whisky production.

It has been around for over 200 years and therefore the various tours offered by the site are interesting, to say the least. It should also be added that you are invited to try the products throughout the visit!

Craigievar Castle

Although the Castle of Balmoral might be enough for some of you, we recommend the Castle of Craigievar for those who want to learn a little more from their experience in Aberdeen.

Although it may not have royal ties, it is the architecture and design of this castle that really sets it apart from others (around the world, let’s add). Some have compared it to a fairy-tale castle-it is truly unique. With its oriel windows, zigzag strokes and decorative stone cannons, the castle is worth a visit.

Many visitors are also fascinated by the history behind it; the architects must be very economical with design and materials because of the conditions of the time (we think of about 1457).