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Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city (after Glasgow and Edinburgh) and is an ancient and prosperous city. The earliest settlers were hunters and gatherers some 8,000 years ago, the Romans had a camp there and the burgh itself was established during the reign of Malcolm III (1058 - 93). Aberdeen was made a Royal Burgh in 1179 under William the Lion and, in 1319, was given the Freedom of the Lands of Aberdeen by King Robert the Bruce. Aberdeen was one of the few communities the king could rely on when he needed support. In 1337, the English set the town ablaze (including St Machar's Cathedral).

Rebuilding and development continued through the centuries. In the 18th century, improvements to the harbour saw Aberdeen develop as a fishing port with salted herring ('silver darlings') becoming a local food source and significant export. In the late 20th century, Aberdeen became known as the 'Oil Capital of Europe' and, while it is an economic and manufacturing centre (paper, chemicals, machinery and textiles), it still sits in harmony with nature and has an active artistic community.

City attractions include the Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum, Duthie Park and Winter Gardens. Aberdeen's beach and long promenade is backed by a host of leisure and all-weather sports activities. Old Aberdeen is dominated by the spire of 16th century Kings College. Also worth exploring is St Machar's Cathedral, which was founded in 1131.

Statues abound in the city centre - Robert Burns, General Gordon of Khartoum, Lord Byron, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Edward VII, Duke of Gordon and William Wallace (even though he never visited Aberdeen). The lovely Brig o'Balgownie dates back to 1320 and was originally known as the Bridge of Don. The new Bridge of Don (1830) has seven spans and was widened in the late 1950's to cope with the increase of traffic.

Castlegate, the main commercial centre was once an open marketplace and contains the Mercat Cross (1686).

Old Aberdeen is dominated by the spire of 16th century Kings College. Also worth exploring is St Machar's Cathedral, which was founded in 1131. Over the years St Machar's has been home to congregations of various Christian faiths. Until the 12th century Celtic, from 1131-1560 Roman Catholic, 1625-1638 and 1690-1685 Episcopalian, and from 1690 to the present Presbyterian. Very few, if any, other Christian cathedrals could claim to have a Roman Catholic bishop, Episcopalian bishop and a Moderator of the General Assembly buried side by side.

The Kirk of St Nicholas is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and there has been a church on the site since 1060. The Music Hall (1820) is also an impressive building and today is both a concert hall and craft fair venue. It also includes a bar and restaurant. Children love the hands-on scientific discovery centre, the Satrosphere. Aberdeen's beach and long promenade is backed by a host of leisure and all-weather sports activities.

The city is also an important genealogical centre for people wanting to trace their family tree.





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