Scotland: Main Centres - Aberdeen

Situated between the Rivers Dee and Don, Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city and 'Oil Capital'.

History

The exact meaning of the Pictish Aber Deen isn't clear, it could be mouth of the Don or the Dee or even the Den Burn. Ptolemy notes a Devana which might imply aber devan - 'where two rivers meet'. Aberdeen is clearly an ancient settlement.

With the Grampian Mountains to the west, Aberdeen has always looked out to sea for it's trade. In fact the position of the City meant that trade, exporting wool and fish, was as likely to be with the rest of Europe as the rest of Scotland! The city was a Royal Burgh in the reign of David I (1124-53).

Aberdeen greatly assisted Robert I (the Bruce) during the Wars of Independence and he granted lands to the City and ordered the building of bridge across the Don. The City's motto 'Bon Accord' dates from this time.

Despite it's northern location Aberdeen developed as a Lowland Burgh and accordingly became the target of Highlanders on a number of occasions in it's history. In the bloody Battle of Harlaw 1411 many of the town's citizens perished and in 1644 Montrose sacked Aberdeen in a particularly vicious manner.

During the 19thC Aberdeen expanded greatly as it's destinctive grey granite buildings spread north and west. Strictly speaking the rock is a granodiorite, as 'true' granite is pink. This fine building stone was exported world wide - even to Rio de Janiero.

The City's main shopping street, Union Street, was laid out in 1801 to mark the Union of Britain and Ireland.

With the railways came access for fresh fish to the rest of the country and the fishing industry grew even further. In the 19thC shipbuilding of clipper ships was important but the coming or iron and steam saw this industry decline.

Oil

1970 saw the first major find of oil in the North Sea, 150 km east of Aberdeen. Development of Scotland's oil fields put her in the top dozen world oil producers. Aberdeen has changed dramatically as oil and service companies set up base in the city. It has become Scotland's 'Oil Capital', a major service port and one of the worlds busiest heliports.

Now

There's much to see and do in and around this compact northern city. Shops and restaurants abound in the city centre. The Art Gallery has a fine collection of paintings.

Aberdeen is unusual among Scottish cities in having many kilometres of fine beaches and sea front. However it has to be said that with the cold winds from the North Sea these are usually best suited to brisk and bracing walks rather than sunbathing!