Explore the best of Aberdeen, from its magnificent urban centre to the wilds of its surrounding countryside. On weekends, take a stroll down Union Street, stopping to admire the iconic architecture of the city’s Granite Mile. Fall in love with the  delicate spires of the Kirk of St. Nicholas, or the breathtaking facade of Broad Street’s Marischal College. To find out more about Aberdeen’s rich history, discover its heritage as the centre of the North Sea oil industry at Aberdeen Maritime Museum.

Modern culture also thrives in Scotland’s third largest city. Shop for major labels at Union Square mall, then head to the West End in search of boutique treasures. You’ll find great food on every corner, from the vegan fare of Foodstory Café to Maggie Grill’s barbecue extravaganza. In the evening, share a whisky with the locals at The Grill pub, before enjoying a West End musical at His Majesty’s Theatre. If the alternative scene is more your thing, catch Aberdeen’s newest bands at indie venue Downstairs.

When you want to escape the urban hubbub, take your pick from the city’s beautiful parks. Wander through the ornamental borders of Cruickshank Botanic Garden, lose yourself in the Winter Gardens glasshouse or spend the day playing in the waves at Aberdeen Beach. The rest of Aberdeenshire is also full of natural wonders, from the fairytale ruins of cliff-top Dunnottar Castle to the romantic moorland and pine forest landscapes of Glen Tanar.