Aberdeen, Scotland's third-largest city, is characterized by buildings of beautiful granite. Set beside the North Sea 150 mi/240 km northeast of Glasgow, Aberdeen is both a university town and the capital of the Scottish oil boom. In addition, it is one of Scotland's largest seaside resort areas.
Old Aberdeen, the students' quarter of the city, is worth a visit: Walk the campuses of the two ancient universities, King's College (founded 1495) and Marischal College (founded 1500, the second-largest granite building in the world), now combined as the University of Aberdeen. Or get up at the crack of dawn to visit the warehouse of buzzing activity that is Aberdeen's famous fish market.
Queen Victoria was a regular visitor to this area, and there is an official Victorian Heritage Trail to follow by car.
Aberdeen is an excellent base for touring nearby Dunnotar, Slains and Crathes castles. There is an official Castle Trail that can be followed. https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/castles/scotland-castle-trail.
Speyside is famous for its malt whisky distilleries, and there's an official trail for driving round the ones that have visitor facilities. At the Speyside Cooperage, you can see barrels still made by hand. https://maltwhiskytrail.com.
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