Cheap flights to Aberdeen from PLN92*

The Granite City rises in the northeast of Scotland, glittering when the sun shines, and blending with grey clouds and fog when it’s not. This fishing and trading capital may have become an offshore oil powerhouse, but Aberdeen still beguiles visitors with its cobbled streets and 500-year-old university, sandy beach and cottage-lined fishermen’s quarter. Add fortress-like churches, castle ruins, golf courses and ferries to the Shetlands, and it’s a destination full of rugged charm.

 

Rugged Scottish charms

Old Aberdeen’s massive stone university buildings are worth a poke around, flanked by streetlights and trees that burst into colour in autumn. The old fishing neighbourhood is full of character, lined with stone cottages. The city’s long beach turns into cliffs and dunes as you go up the coast, the setting for the greenest of golf courses with spectacular views. Plus kirks and kilts, haggis and herring, puffins and dolphins, and a ferry to the islands at the end of Britain for a truly Scottish holiday.

 

Kirks, crimes and rides

In Old Aberdeen, which hugs the River Don, find the fortified kirk of St Machar's Cathedral. Its thick walls and two towers make it suitable for defence, and it boasts an unusual heraldic ceiling dating from 1520, of wood adorned with 48 coats of arms of kings, nobles, archbishops and bishops. Move on to the 16th-century King’s College Chapel, part of the University of Aberdeen, established in 1495. Soak up the knowledge of centuries on the vast university grounds, visit Old Town House for a guide through Aberdeen’s history, or step inside Provost Ross’ House, built in 1593, which retains its medieval kitchen, fireplaces and ceilings.

In the current centre of town closer to the River Dee, “newer” landmarks include the Mither Kirk, or Mother Church, St. Nicholas, with a 19th-century spire and a 15th-century chapel. Follow Aberdeen’s journey from the days of clipper ships and fishing boats to high-tech oil and gas exploration at Aberdeen Maritime Museum, and peek into the harbour on the chance you’ll see playful dolphins. Delve into a murkier past at the Tolbooth Museum, a 17th-century jail whose original cells and the blade of the city’s guillotine await you. Where the Dee flows into the North Sea you’ll find Footdee, the old fishing village of colourful low cottages worth a stroll or a seaside pub lunch. North of here is Aberdeen’s beach, lined with restaurants and Codona’s amusement park with classic rides and an indoor adventure park.

 

Scottish seafood specialities

Scottish culinary classics include Scotch eggs, boiled eggs fried in batter, and haggis, a kind of blood sausage served with neeps and tatties, i.e. mashed potatoes and swede (aka rutabaga). Up here in Aberdeen, seafood plays a role in dishes such as cullen skink, a smoked haddock soup, and Shetland Island mussels. Aberdeen buttery, also known as rowie, is like a flat, round croissant, served for breakfast or at afternoon tea with jam.

 

Whisky, kilts and pubs

What about whisky? Head to the source(s) on the Scottish Malt Whisky Trail, where you can tour Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and Strathisla (maker of Chivas Regal) distilleries, to name a few, within a couple of hours of Aberdeen. To taste these in town, The Grill is a traditional pub with an amazing selection of whiskies. Get your own kilt at Millsom & Main. Union Square has all the high-street shops you might want to visit.

For the evening, there’s ballet and plays at His Majesty's Theatre, or go Scottish traditional at Old Blackfriars, a stone-and-timber pub with stained-glass windows. Hang with the students at cosy Blue Lamp pub, with live jazz. At O’Neill’s, choose from a pounding music scene upstairs or the packed bar downstairs. For later, Tunnels is a vast underground (literally) club under Union Street with live music and DJ sets.

 

Seaside castles and landscapes

Drive up the coast to see the Bullers of Buchan, a collapsed sea cave some 30 metres deep, where the ocean rushes in through a stone arch. Puffins proliferate here during spring and summer. Further up the coast, trek out to the ruins of Slains Castle, erected in 1597. It’s not staffed or protected, so wander the empty corners of the castle and the cliffs at your own risk – especially since some say it inspired the one in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”. South of Aberdeen are the equally or more dramatic (you decide) ruins of 13th-century Dunnottar Castle, out on a promontory and up lots of stairs, but worth for the view.

Inland, don’t miss Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday residence of the British royal family, whose gardens and ballroom are open from April until the Queen arrives at the end of July. The castle has its own golf course (book in advance), or opt for championship courses such as Royal Aberdeen, Murcar Links or Cruden Bay. If you’ve got a few days, Aberdeen is your ticket to the Shetland Islands, Britain’s most northerly outpost. Famous for ponies and wool sweaters, they’re just a stone’s throw from Norway, and hints of Norse heritage can be found in the accent and street names. Walk the hills and glens, visit tranquil lochs and go birdwatching.

 

Aberdeen airport

Aberdeen Airport is about 40 minutes from the centre by Jet 727 bus service. Rental cars are also available. Aberdeen Airport has duty-free and travel accessories shops, a bookstore and a Boots, plus an art gallery. Dining options include coffee, whisky (why not?), sandwiches and The Granite City restaurant.

 

Aberdeen weather

The best time to visit Aberdeen is May through August for mild and relatively dry weather, with temperatures averaging between 10°C and 14°C. Count on rain in October and November, and winter tend to be cool and wet as well, with temperatures averaging between 3°C and 6°C.