Wikipedia

Aberdeen

(Redirected from Aberdeen City)
This article is about the city in Scotland. For other uses, see Aberdeen (disambiguation).

Aberdeen (/ˌæbərˈdiːn/ ⓘ AB-ər-DEEN; locally [ˌeːbərˈdin] ⓘ or [ˈeːbərdin] ⓘ; Scottish Gaelic: Obar Dheathain [ˈopəɾ ˈʝɛ.ɪɲ]) is a city in North East Scotland, and is the third most populous Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeenshire, but is now separate from the council area of Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeen
Obar Dheathain (Scottish Gaelic)
Aiberdeen (Doric)
City and council area
Flag of Aberdeen
Flag
Coat of arms of Aberdeen
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): 
Granite City, the Silver City by Sea, Oil Capital of Europe
Aberdeen shown within Scotland
Aberdeen shown within Scotland
Coordinates: 57°09′N 2°07′W / 57.15°N 2.11°W / 57.15; -2.11
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryScotland
Lieutenancy areaAberdeen
Earliest Charter1179
City status1891
Unitary authority1 April 1996
Administrative HQTown House
Government
[1]
 • TypeCouncil
 • BodyAberdeen City Council
 • ControlNo overall control
 • MPs
3 MPs
 • MSPs
3 MSPs
Area
[2]
 • Total
72 sq mi (186 km2)
 • Rank25th
Population
 (2022)[2]
 • Total
224,190
 • Rank8th
 • Density3,130/sq mi (1,208/km2)
DemonymAberdonian
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (BST)
Postcode areas
AB10–13 (part), AB14–16, AB21–25
Dialling codes01224
ISO 3166 codeGB-ABE
GSS codeS12000033
Websiteaberdeencity.gov.uk

Aberdeen is one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas (as Aberdeen City[3]), and has a population of 198,590 (mid-2020 est.) for the urban area,[4] making it the United Kingdom's 39th most populous built-up area, and 224,190 (2022) for the wider council area including outlying localities.[2] The city is 127 mi (204 km) northeast of Edinburgh and 536 mi (863 km) north of London. Aberdeen has a long, sandy coastline and features an oceanic climate, with cool summers and mild, rainy winters.[5]

During the mid-18th to mid-20th centuries, Aberdeen's buildings incorporated locally quarried grey granite, which may sparkle like silver because of its high mica content.[6] Since the discovery of North Sea oil in 1969, Aberdeen has been known as the offshore oil capital of Europe.[7] Based upon the discovery of prehistoric villages around the mouths of the rivers Dee and Don, the area around Aberdeen has been thought to have been settled for at least 6,000 years.[8]

Aberdeen received royal burgh status from David I of Scotland (1124–1153),[9] which transformed the city economically. The traditional industries of fishing, paper-making, shipbuilding, and textiles have been overtaken by the oil industry and Aberdeen's seaport. Aberdeen Heliport is one of the busiest commercial heliports in the world,[10] and the seaport is the largest in the north-east part of Scotland.[11] A university town, the city is known for the University of Aberdeen, founded in 1495 as the fifth oldest university in the English-speaking world and located in Old Aberdeen.

In 2012, HSBC named Aberdeen as a leading business hub and one of eight 'super cities' spearheading the UK's economy, marking it as the only city in Scotland so designated.[12] In 2018, Aberdeen was found to be the best city in the UK to start a business in a study released by card payment firm Paymentsense.[13]

History

edit
Main article: History of Aberdeen

Early origins

edit

The Aberdeen area has seen human settlement for at least 8,000 years.[8] The city began as two separate burghs: Old Aberdeen at the mouth of the river Don; and New Aberdeen, a fishing and trading settlement, where the Denburn waterway entered the river Dee estuary.[14] The earliest charter was granted by William the Lion in 1179 and confirmed the corporate rights granted by David I.[15]

In 1214, Aberdeen Burgesses were granted a Royal Charter by Alexander II of Scotland giving them the sole right to form a Guild. This body exercised power in the composition of the local council, and the affairs of the town. The Burgesses of the Guild were an integral part of the council for more than 700 years and played a considerable role in the growth and development of Aberdeen.[16] In 1319, the Great Charter of Robert the Bruce transformed Aberdeen into a property-owning and financially independent community. Granted with it was the nearby Forest of Stocket, whose income formed the basis for the city's Common Good Fund which still benefits Aberdonians.[17][18]

Wars of Scottish Independence

edit
Main article: Wars of Scottish Independence

During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Aberdeen was under English rule, so Robert the Bruce laid siege to Aberdeen Castle before destroying it in 1308, followed by executing the English garrison. The city was burned by Edward III of England in 1336, but was rebuilt and extended. The city was strongly fortified to prevent attacks by neighbouring lords, but the gates were removed by 1770.[19]

Aberdeen's medieval council registers survive from 1398 onwards and are exceptional for their quantity and continuity among surviving Scottish burgh records. The earliest eight volumes, from 1398 to 1511, have been included in the UNESCO UK Memory of the World Register, and have been edited in a digital edition.[20]

During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms of 1644 to 1647 the city was plundered by both sides. In 1644, it was taken and ransacked by Royalist troops after the Battle of Aberdeen[21] and two years later it was stormed by a Royalist force under the command of the George Gordon, 2nd Marquis of Huntly.[22] An outbreak of bubonic plague over 1687 and 1688 killed 8.5% of the population, adding to the economic and demographic damage caused by war.[23] In the 18th century, a new Town Hall was built and the first social services appeared with the Aberdeen Infirmary at Woolmanhill in 1739[24] and the Aberdeen Lunatic Asylum in 1800.[25]

Post-Napoleonic depression

edit

The expensive infrastructure works led to the city becoming bankrupt in 1817 during the Post-Napoleonic depression, an economic downturn immediately after the Napoleonic Wars; but the city's prosperity later recovered. The increasing economic importance of Aberdeen and the development of the shipbuilding and fishing industries led to the construction of the present harbour including Victoria Dock and the South Breakwater, and the extension of the North Pier.

Gas street lighting arrived in 1824 and an enhanced water supply appeared in 1830 when water was pumped from the Dee to a reservoir in Union Place. An underground sewer system replaced open sewers in 1865.[18] The city absorbed the neighbouring burghs of Old Aberdeen and Woodside plus the Torry area on the south bank of the Dee in 1891.[26][27]

Second World War

edit

Over the course of World War II Aberdeen was attacked 32 times by the German Luftwaffe. One of the most devastating attacks was on Wednesday 21 April 1943 when 29 Luftwaffe Dornier 217s flying from Stavanger, Norway attacked the city between the hours of 22:17 and 23:04.[28] A total of 98 civilians and 27 servicemen were killed, along with 12,000 houses damaged, after a mixture of 127 Incendiary, High Explosive and Cluster bombs were dropped on the city in one night.[29]

Two books written in 2018 and 2022 using bombing records held in London identified that unexploded bombs from the 1943 raid were found in the 1950s and 1980s making the bombs dropped 129 in total. Damage from the raid can still be seen in some parts of Aberdeen.

Toponymy

edit
Main article: Etymology of Aberdeen
 
View of Aberdeen by William Mosman, 1756

The name given to Aberdeen translates as 'mouth of the river Don', and is recorded as Aberdon in 1172 and Aberden in c. 1180. The first element of the name is the Pictish word aber 'river mouth'. The second element is from the Celtic river goddess Devona.[30]

Aberdeen is usually described as within the historical Pictish territory and became Gaelic-speaking at some time in the medieval period. Old Aberdeen is the approximate location of Aberdon, the first settlement of Aberdeen; this literally means "the mouth of the Don". The Celtic word aber means "river mouth", as in modern Welsh (Aberystwyth, Aberdare, Aberbeeg etc.).[31] The Scottish Gaelic name is Obar Dheathain (variation: Obairreadhain; *obar presumably being a loan from the earlier Pictish; the Gaelic term is inbhir), and in Latin, the Romans referred to the river as Devana. Medieval (or Ecclesiastical) Latin has it as Aberdonia.[32]

The local Doric pronunciation, [ˌeːbərˈdin] ⓘ or [ˈeːbərdin] ⓘ (with a long ay sound), is frequently rendered Aiberdeen or Aiberdein.

Governance and heraldry

edit
Main articles: Politics of Aberdeen and Coat of arms of Aberdeen

Local government

edit
 
Marischal College, Broad Street: main offices of Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen City is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, administered by Aberdeen City Council. The council meets at Aberdeen Town House and has its main offices in the adjoining Marischal College. The civic head and chair of the council is the Lord Provost.

The council area is also divided into 30 community council areas, 29 of which had community councils operating as at August 2024.[33]

Administrative history

edit

The first burgh of Aberdeen, covering just the New Aberdeen area near the mouth of the Dee, was created by David I (reigned 1124–1153).[9][34] Neighbouring Old Aberdeen to the north was subsequently made a separate burgh in 1489.[35]

The burgh of Aberdeen was governed by a corporation, also known as the town council. As Aberdeen grew, the council's powers were inadequate to cater for the needs of the growing urban area. A separate police commission was established in 1795 with powers to levy taxes and provide infrastructure ('police' in this context being its older meaning of civic government rather than law enforcement). The first police commission was short-lived, but it was resurrected in 1818 after the town council went bankrupt in 1817. From 1818 until 1871 there was a dual system of local government, with the town council and police commission having different roles in Aberdeen's administration. The police commission was eventually abolished in 1871 and its functions absorbed by the town council.[36]

In 1891 the city boundaries were significantly enlarged, absorbing the neighbouring burghs of Old Aberdeen and Woodside, plus the Torry area on the south bank of the Dee. The act of parliament which expanded the burgh also confirmed that Aberdeen was entitled to be called a city; it had commonly been described as a city prior to that, but (like most Scottish cities) without official recognition.[27][37]

Following the absorption of Torry in 1891, the city boundaries straddled the counties of Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire. Aberdeen was made a county of itself in 1899.[38][39] In 1975 the burgh was replaced by the larger City of Aberdeen district within the Grampian region.[40] Further local government reforms in 1996 replaced the districts and regions created in 1975 with council areas; the pre-1996 City of Aberdeen district became the Aberdeen City council area.[41][42]

Westminster and Holyrood

edit

Aberdeen is represented in the Parliament of the United Kingdom by two constituencies, Aberdeen North and Aberdeen South, which are wholly within the Aberdeen City council area.[43]

In the Scottish Parliament, the city is represented by three constituencies with different boundaries: Aberdeen Central and Aberdeen Donside are wholly within the Aberdeen City council area. Aberdeen South and North Kincardine includes the North Kincardine ward of Aberdeenshire Council. A further seven MSPs are elected as part of the North East Scotland electoral region. In the European Parliament the city was represented by six MEPs as part of the all-inclusive Scotland constituency.[44]

Coat of arms and motto

edit

The arms and banner of the city show three silver towers on red. This motif dates from at least the time of Robert the Bruce and represents the buildings that stood on the three hills of medieval Aberdeen: Aberdeen Castle on Castle Hill (today's Castlegate); the city gate on Port Hill; and a church on St Catherine's Hill (now levelled).[45]

"Bon Accord" is the motto of the city and is French for "Good Agreement". Legend tells that its use dates from a password used by Robert the Bruce during the 14th century Wars of Scottish Independence, when he and his men laid siege to the English-held Aberdeen Castle before destroying it in 1308.[17] It is still widely present in the city, throughout street names, business names and the city's Bon Accord shopping mall.[46]

The shield in the coat of arms is supported by two leopards. A local magazine is called the "Leopard" and, when Union Bridge was widened in the 20th century, small statues of the creature in a sitting position were cast and placed on top of the railing posts (known locally as Kelly's Cats). The city's toast is "Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again".[47]

Geography

edit
Main article: Geography of Aberdeen
 
Aberdeen beach, situated along the coastline of Aberdeen on the North Sea

Location and area

edit

Being situated between two river mouths, the city has little natural exposure of bedrock. The small amount of geophysics done, and occasional building-related exposures, combined with small exposures in the banks of the River Don, suggest that it is actually sited on an inlier of Devonian "Old Red" sandstones and silts. The outskirts of the city spread beyond the (inferred) limits of the outlier onto the surrounding metamorphic/ igneous complexes formed during the Dalradian period (approximately 480–600 million years ago) with sporadic areas of igneous Diorite granites to be found, such as that at the Rubislaw quarry which was used to build much of the Victorian parts of the city.[48]

The city extends to 186 km2 (72 sq mi),[2] and includes the former burghs of Old Aberdeen, New Aberdeen, Woodside and the Torry area to the south of River Dee. In 2022, this gave the city a population density of 1,208 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,130/sq mi).[2] The city is built on many hills, with the original beginnings of the city growing from Castle Hill, St. Catherine's Hill and Windmill Hill.[49] When compared to mainland Europe, Aberdeen is further north than almost all of Denmark and plenty of southern Sweden, being just south of Gothenburg in terms of latitude.[50][51]

Climate

edit
 
Sunshine across Aberdeen during August

Aberdeen features an oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb), with far milder winter temperatures than one might expect for its northern location. However, statistically speaking, it is still the coldest city in the UK. During the winter, especially throughout December, the length of the day is very short, averaging 6 hours and 41 minutes between sunrise and sunset at the winter solstice.[52] As winter progresses, the length of the day grows fairly quickly, to 8 hours and 20 minutes by the end of January. Around summer solstice, the days will be around 18 hours long, having 17 hours and 55 minutes between sunrise and sunset.[52] During this time of the year marginal nautical twilight lasts the entire night. Temperatures at this time of year hover around 17.0 °C (62.6 °F) during the day in most of the urban area, though nearer 16.0 °C (60.8 °F) directly on the coast, and around 18.0 to 19.0 °C (64.4 to 66.2 °F) in the westernmost suburbs.[53]

Two weather stations collect climate data for the area, Aberdeen/Dyce Airport, and Craibstone. Both are about 4+1⁄2 miles (7 km) to the northwest of the city centre, and given that they are in close proximity to each other, exhibit very similar climatic regimes. Dyce tends to have marginally warmer daytime temperatures year-round owing to its slightly lower elevation, though it is more susceptible to harsh frosts. The coldest temperature to occur in recent years was −16.8 °C (1.8 °F) during December 2010,[54] while the following winter, Dyce set a new February high-temperature station record on 28 February 2012 of 17.2 °C (63.0 °F),[55] and a new March high temperature record of 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) on 25 March 2012.[56]

The average temperature of the sea ranges from 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in March to 13.8 °C (56.8 °F) in August.[57]

Climate data for Dyce-Aberdeen (ABZ),[a] elevation: 65 m (213 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.2
(63.0) 		17.2
(63.0) 		21.6
(70.9) 		23.7
(74.7) 		24.4
(75.9) 		26.7
(80.1) 		29.8
(85.6) 		29.7
(85.5) 		27.0
(80.6) 		22.1
(71.8) 		18.8
(65.8) 		15.1
(59.2) 		29.8
(85.6)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 12.2
(54.0) 		12.9
(55.2) 		15.4
(59.7) 		17.6
(63.7) 		20.4
(68.7) 		22.9
(73.2) 		24.4
(75.9) 		23.4
(74.1) 		22.1
(71.8) 		17.7
(63.9) 		14.8
(58.6) 		12.5
(54.5) 		25.6
(78.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.8
(44.2) 		7.3
(45.1) 		9.1
(48.4) 		11.2
(52.2) 		13.9
(57.0) 		16.3
(61.3) 		18.5
(65.3) 		18.3
(64.9) 		16.1
(61.0) 		12.6
(54.7) 		9.2
(48.6) 		6.9
(44.4) 		12.2
(53.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.9
(39.0) 		4.2
(39.6) 		5.6
(42.1) 		7.6
(45.7) 		10.0
(50.0) 		12.7
(54.9) 		14.8
(58.6) 		14.6
(58.3) 		12.6
(54.7) 		9.5
(49.1) 		6.2
(43.2) 		3.9
(39.0) 		8.8
(47.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.0
(33.8) 		1.1
(34.0) 		2.1
(35.8) 		3.9
(39.0) 		6.0
(42.8) 		9.0
(48.2) 		11.0
(51.8) 		10.8
(51.4) 		9.1
(48.4) 		6.3
(43.3) 		3.1
(37.6) 		0.9
(33.6) 		5.4
(41.6)
Mean minimum °C (°F) −5.4
(22.3) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		−1.8
(28.8) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		3.6
(38.5) 		6.0
(42.8) 		4.8
(40.6) 		2.6
(36.7) 		0.2
(32.4) 		−3.4
(25.9) 		−6.6
(20.1) 		−8.3
(17.1)
Record low °C (°F) −19.3
(−2.7) 		−18.2
(−0.8) 		−15.8
(3.6) 		−6.8
(19.8) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		0.1
(32.2) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		−2.4
(27.7) 		−4.4
(24.1) 		−15.6
(3.9) 		−18.1
(−0.6) 		−19.3
(−2.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 67.8
(2.67) 		59.4
(2.34) 		54.4
(2.14) 		57.6
(2.27) 		54.0
(2.13) 		68.9
(2.71) 		70.8
(2.79) 		68.3
(2.69) 		60.7
(2.39) 		99.9
(3.93) 		93.0
(3.66) 		77.7
(3.06) 		832.5
(32.78)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.5 11.1 11.0 11.2 10.3 11.6 12.2 10.8 10.4 14.5 14.5 12.8 142.9
Average snowy days 8 7 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 6 34
Average relative humidity (%) 83 81 79 78 78 78 78 80 81 83 83 83 80
Mean monthly sunshine hours 60.5 85.4 125.5 153.9 202.7 163.5 162.4 156.7 125.1 95.0 68.1 48.5 1,447.3
Percent possible sunshine 26 30 33 36 38 33 34 35 32 29 26 22 31
Source 1: Met Office[58] NOAA (Relative humidity and snow days 1961–1990)[59] Infoclimat (mean max/min)[60]
Source 2: KNMI[61]
Climate data for Aberdeen (Craibstone),[b] elevation: 102 m (335 ft), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1958–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 16.0
(60.8) 		16.3
(61.3) 		21.2
(70.2) 		23.4
(74.1) 		23.8
(74.8) 		26.8
(80.2) 		28.8
(83.8) 		28.6
(83.5) 		25.9
(78.6) 		21.1
(70.0) 		18.3
(64.9) 		15.4
(59.7) 		28.8
(83.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.1
(43.0) 		6.4
(43.5) 		8.4
(47.1) 		10.5
(50.9) 		13.2
(55.8) 		15.6
(60.1) 		18.0
(64.4) 		17.8
(64.0) 		15.4
(59.7) 		12.0
(53.6) 		8.6
(47.5) 		6.2
(43.2) 		11.5
(52.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.4
(38.1) 		3.5
(38.3) 		5.0
(41.0) 		6.8
(44.2) 		9.2
(48.6) 		11.9
(53.4) 		14.2
(57.6) 		14.0
(57.2) 		11.9
(53.4) 		8.9
(48.0) 		5.8
(42.4) 		3.5
(38.3) 		8.1
(46.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.6
(33.1) 		0.6
(33.1) 		1.6
(34.9) 		3.0
(37.4) 		5.2
(41.4) 		8.1
(46.6) 		10.3
(50.5) 		10.1
(50.2) 		8.4
(47.1) 		5.7
(42.3) 		2.9
(37.2) 		0.8
(33.4) 		4.8
(40.6)
Record low °C (°F) −13.5
(7.7) 		−12.2
(10.0) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−6.7
(19.9) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		0.3
(32.5) 		1.7
(35.1) 		2.5
(36.5) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		−10.8
(12.6) 		−12.6
(9.3) 		−13.5
(7.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 71.2
(2.80) 		59.3
(2.33) 		63.8
(2.51) 		62.2
(2.45) 		59.6
(2.35) 		65.6
(2.58) 		65.7
(2.59) 		66.1
(2.60) 		71.9
(2.83) 		102.9
(4.05) 		98.1
(3.86) 		79.8
(3.14) 		866.2
(34.10)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.6 10.6 11.5 10.5 10.4 10.5 11.3 11.2 10.1 13.6 13.7 12.3 138.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 60.6 84.9 120.3 151.5 194.1 163.8 159.3 160.4 124.6 100.0 65.4 47.7 1,432.6
Source 1: Met Office[62]
Source 2: KNMI[63]

Demography

edit
 
Population pyramid of Aberdeen (local council area) in 2020
 
Aberdeen's population since 1396[64]

The Aberdeen locality population estimate is 198,590 (mid-2020 est.).[4] For the wider settlement of Aberdeen including Cove Bay and Dyce, the population estimate is 220,690 (mid-2020 est.).[4] For Aberdeen City council area, the population estimate is 224,190 (2022).[2]

In 1396, the population was about 3,000. By 1801, it had become 26,992, then 153,503 in 1901, and finally 182,467 in 1941.[65]

The 2011 census showed fewer young people in Aberdeen, with 16.4% under 16, as opposed to the national average of 19.2%.[66] According to the 2011 census Aberdeen is 91.9% white, ethnically, 24.7% were born outside Scotland, higher than the national average of 16%. Of this population, 7.6% were born in other parts of the UK.[67] 8.2% of Aberdonians stated to be from an ethnic minority (non-white) in the 2011 census, with 9,519 (4.3%) being Asian, with 3,385 (1.5%) coming from India and 2,187 (1.0%) being Chinese. The city has around 5,610 (2.6%) residents of African or Caribbean origin, which is a higher percentage than both Glasgow and Edinburgh.[67]

In the household, there were 97,013 individual dwellings recorded in the city, of which 61% were privately owned, 9% privately rented and 23% rented from the council. The most popular type of dwellings are apartments which comprise 49% of residences followed by semi-detached at just below 22%.[68] The median income of a household in the city is £16,813 (the mean income is £20,292)[69] (2005) which places approximately 18% households in the city below the poverty line (defined as 60% of the mean income). Conversely, an Aberdeen postcode has the second highest number of millionaires of any postcode in the UK.[70]

Ethnicity

edit
Ethnic Group 1991[71][72] 2001[73] 2011[73][74] 2022[75]
Number % Number % Number % Number %
White: Total 201,886 98.53% 205,974 97.1% 204,715 91.88% 193,921 86.56%
White: Scottish – – 181,718 85.66% 167,727 75.28% 151,844 67.78%
White: Other British – – 16,682 7.86% 16,910 7.6% 16,680 7.5%
White: Irish 1,251 0.61% 1,531 0.7% 2,213 1% 1,963 0.9%
White: Gypsy/Traveller[c] – – – – 279 0.1% 234 0.1%
White: Polish[c] – – – – 7,031 3.2% 9,876 4.4%
White: Other – – 6,043 2.8% 10,555 4.7% 13,330 6.0%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Total 1,817 0.88% 3,240 1.52% 9,519 4.27% 13,091 5.84%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Indian 303 0.1% 837 0.4% 3,384 1.5% 5,021 2.2%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Pakistani 154 0.1% 407 0.2% 1,042 0.5% 1,834 0.8%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Bangladeshi 165 0.1% 336 0.2% 587 0.3% 997 0.5%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Chinese 708 0.3% 1,199 0.6% 2,187 1% 2,255 1%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Asian Other 487 0.2% 461 0.2% 2,319 1% 2,984 1.3%
Black, Black Scottish or Black British[d] 521 0.25% 94 – – – – –
African: Total – – 722 0.34% 5,042 2.26% 8,870 3.96%
African: African, African Scottish or African British – – 722 0.34% 5,009 2.2% 587 0.3%
African: Other African – – – – 33 – 8,280 3.7%
Caribbean or Black: Total – – 159 – 588 0.26% 549 0.25%
Caribbean – – 159 – 296 0.1% 161 –
Black – – – – 214 0.1% 19 –
Caribbean or Black: Other – – – – 78 – 369 0.16%
Mixed or multiple ethnic groups: Total – – 863 0.4% 1,488 0.66% 3,990 1.78%
Other: Total 661 0.32% 1,073 0.5% 1,441 0.64% 3,597 1.61%
Other: Arab[c] – – – – 993 0.44% 1,783 0.80%
Other: Any other ethnic group 661 0.32% 1,073 0.5% 448 0.2% 1,817 0.81%
Total: 204,885 100% 212,125 100% 222,793 100% 224,021 100%
Aberdeen compared[67]
2011 United Kingdom census Aberdeen Scotland
Total population 222,793 5,295,000
Population growth
2001–2011		 5.0% 5.0%

The proportion of people residing in Aberdeen born outside the UK was 21.1% in 2022, compared with 15.9% in 2011 and 6.3% in 2001. Below are the fifteen largest overseas-born groups in Aberdeen according to the 2022 census, alongside the two previous censuses.[76]

Country of birth 2022 2011 2001
  Poland 8,266 6,403 71
  Nigeria 5,662 3,363 239
  India 3,815 2,802 625
  United States 1,379 1,346 1,081
  Romania 1,330 308 33
  Lithuania 1,229 823 0
  Germany 1,170 1,458 1,003
  Latvia 1,147 685 0
  Ireland 1,059 1,378 775
  Pakistan 948 550 180
  China 788 921 199
  Italy 788 356 217
  Hungary 765 358 0
  Spain 755 260 152
  France 719 1,028 567
Overall – all overseas-born 47,197 35,436 13,264

Religion

edit
Main article: Religion in Aberdeen
 
St Andrew's Cathedral, King Street
Religion of Aberdeen residents, 2022
No religion
 
 58.0%
Christian
 
 30.7%
Religion not stated
 
 5.8%
Muslim
 
 2.9%
Hindu
 
 1.3%
Buddhist
 
 0.5%
Pagan
 
 0.4%
Other religion
 
 0.3%
Sikh
 
 0.07%
Jewish
 
 0.06%
Source: 2022 census[77]

Christianity is the main religion practised in the city. Aberdeen's largest denominations are the Church of Scotland (through the Presbytery of Aberdeen) and the Roman Catholic Church, both with numerous churches across the city, with the Scottish Episcopal Church having the third-largest number. The census in 2022 showed that Aberdeen has the highest proportion of non-religious residents of any city in Scotland, with 58% of citizens claiming to have no religion.[78]

In the Middle Ages, the Kirk of St Nicholas was the only burgh kirk and one of Scotland's largest parish churches. Like a number of other Scottish kirks, it was subdivided after the Reformation, in this case into the East and West churches. At that time, the city also was home to houses of the Carmelites (Whitefriars)[79] and Franciscans (Greyfriars). The latter survives in modified form as the chapel of Marischal College.[80]

St Machar's Cathedral was built twenty years after David I (1124–1153) transferred the pre-Reformation diocese from Mortlach in Banffshire to Old Aberdeen in 1137. Except the episcopate of William Elphinstone (1484–1511), building progressed slowly. Gavin Dunbar, who followed him in 1518, completed the structure by adding the two western spires and the southern transept. It is now a congregation of the Church of Scotland. Aberdeen has two other cathedrals: St. Mary's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Gothic style, erected in 1859. In addition, St. Andrew's Cathedral serves the Scottish Episcopal Church. It was constructed in 1817 as Archibald Simpson's first commission and contains a memorial to the consecration of the first bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, which took place nearby. In 1804, St Peter's Church, the first permanent Roman Catholic church in the city after the Reformation was built.[81]

Numerous other Protestant denominations have a presence in Aberdeen. The Salvation Army citadel on the Castlegate dominates the view of the east end of Union Street. In addition, there is a Unitarian church, established in 1833 and located in Skene Terrace. Christadelphians have been present in Aberdeen since at least 1844. Over the years, they have rented space to meet at a number of locations and currently meet in the Inchgarth Community Centre in Garthdee.[82] There is also a Quaker meetinghouse on Crown Street, the only purpose built Friends meeting house in Scotland that is still in use today. In addition, there are a number of Baptist congregations in the city, and Evangelical congregations have been appearing in significant numbers since the late 2000s. The city also has two meeting houses of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[83]

There are also four mosques in Aberdeen which serve the Islamic community in the city.[84][85] There is an Orthodox Jewish Synagogue established in 1945. There is also a Thai Buddhist temple located in the Hazelhead area of the city. There are no formal Hindu buildings, although there is a fortnightly Hindu religious gathering on the first and third Sunday afternoons at Queens Cross Parish church hall.[86] The University of Aberdeen has a small Baháʼí society.

Economy

edit
Main articles: Economy of Aberdeen and Petroleum industry in Aberdeen
 
Ships off the coast of Aberdeen in the North Sea, supporting the production of North Sea oil and gas

Traditionally, Aberdeen was home to fishing, textile mills, shipbuilding and paper-making. These industries have been largely replaced. High technology developments in the electronics design and development industry, research in agriculture and fishing and the oil industry, which have been largely responsible for Aberdeen's economic growth, are now major parts of Aberdeen's economy.[87]

Until the 1970s, most of Aberdeen's leading industries dated from the 18th century; mainly these were textiles, foundry work, shipbuilding and paper-making, the oldest industry in the city, with paper having been first made there in 1694. Paper-making has reduced in importance since the closures of Donside Paper Mill in 2001 and the Davidson Mill in 2005 leaving the Stoneywood Paper Mill with a workforce of approximately 500. Textile production ended in 2004 when Richards of Aberdeen closed.[88]

Grey granite was quarried at Rubislaw quarry for more than 300 years, and used for paving setts, kerb and building stones, and monumental and other ornamental pieces. Aberdeen granite was used to build the terraces of the Houses of Parliament and Waterloo Bridge in London. Quarrying finally ceased in 1971. The current owners have begun pumping 40 years of rainwater from the quarry to develop a heritage centre on the site.[89]

 
Neptune Energy and Aker Solutions Buildings, North Dee Business Quarter. An example of modern offices becoming more prevalent in Aberdeen's City Centre

In-shore fishing was once the predominant industry but was surpassed by deep-sea fisheries, which derived a great impetus from improved technologies throughout the 20th century. Catches have fallen because of overfishing and the use of the harbour by oil support vessels,[90] and so although still an important fishing port it is now eclipsed by the more northerly ports of Peterhead and Fraserburgh. The Fisheries Research Services are headquartered in Aberdeen, and there is a marine research laboratory there.[91]

Aberdeen is well regarded for the agricultural and soil research carried out at The James Hutton Institute (formerly the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute), which has close links to the city's two universities. The Rowett Research Institute is a world-renowned research centre for studies into food and nutrition located in Aberdeen. It has produced three Nobel laureates and there is a high concentration of life scientists working in the city.[92][93]

As oil reserves in the North Sea decrease, there is an effort to rebrand Aberdeen as "Energy Capital of Europe" rather than "Oil Capital of Europe", and there is interest in the development of new energy sources, and technology transfer from oil into renewable energy and other industries is underway. The "Energetica" initiative led by Scottish Enterprise has been designed to accelerate this process.[94] Aberdeen has become a major world centre for undersea petroleum technology.[95][96]

North Sea oil and gas

edit
Further information: Aberdeen Harbour and North Sea oil
 
Aberdeen Harbour

Aberdeen had been a major maritime centre throughout the 19th century, when a group of local entrepreneurs launched the first steam-powered trawler. The steam trawling industry expanded and by 1933 Aberdeen was Scotland's top fishing port, employing nearly 3,000 men with 300 vessels sailing from its harbour. By the time oil was coming on stream, much of the trawling fleet had relocated to Peterhead.[97]

Geologists had speculated about oil and gas in the North Sea since the middle of the 20th century, but tapping its deep and inhospitable waters was another story. With the Middle Eastern oil sheiks becoming more aware of the political and economic power of their oil reserves and government threats of rationing, the industry began to consider the North Sea as a viable source of oil. Exploration commenced in the 1960s and the first major find in the British sector was in November 1970 in the Forties field, 110 miles (180 km) east of Aberdeen.[7]

By late 1975, after years of intense construction, the necessary infrastructure was in place. Oil flowed through the Forties pipeline system directly to the refinery at far-away Grangemouth.[98]

Business

edit
 
Union Street towards Castlegate (facing east)

In 2011, the Centre for Cities named Aberdeen as the best-placed city for growth in Britain, as the country looked to emerge from the recent economic downturn.[99] With energy still providing the backbone of the local economy, recent years have seen very large new investment in the North Sea owing to rising oil prices and favourable government tax incentives.[100] This has led to several oil majors and independents building new global offices in the city.[101]

Five of Scotland's top ten businesses are based in Aberdeen with a collective turnover of £14 billion, yielding a profit in excess of £2.4 billion. Alongside this 29 of Scotland's top 100 businesses are located in Aberdeen with an employment rate of 77.9%, making it the second highest UK city for employment.[102]

Figures released in 2016 ranked Aberdeen as having the second highest number of patents processed per person in the UK.[103]

Shopping

edit

The traditional shopping streets are Union Street and George Street, now complemented by shopping centres, including the Bon Accord Centre and the Trinity Shopping Centre. A£190 million retail development, Union Square, reached completion in late September/early October 2009.[104] Major retail parks away from the city centre include the Berryden Retail Park, the Kittybrewster Retail Park and the Beach Boulevard Retail Park. Aberdeen Market has been rebuilt twice, but closed in 2020.[105]

In March 2004, Aberdeen was awarded Fairtrade City status by the Fairtrade Foundation.[106]

Landmarks

edit
Main articles: Architecture of Aberdeen, Green spaces and walkways in Aberdeen, and Aberdeen theatres and concert halls
 
Duthie Park

Aberdeen's architecture is known for its principal use during the Victorian era of granite, which has led to its local nickname of the Granite City.[107]

Amongst the notable buildings in the city's main street, Union Street, are the Town and County Bank, the Music Hall, the Trinity Hall of the incorporated trades (originating between 1398 and 1527, although completely rebuilt in the 1860s), now a shopping mall; the former office of the Northern Assurance Company, and the National Bank of Scotland. In Castle Street, a continuation eastwards of Union Street, is the new Aberdeen Town House, a very prominent landmark in Aberdeen, built between 1868 and 1873 to a design by Peddie and Kinnear.[108]

Alexander Marshall Mackenzie's extension to Marischal College on Broad Street, opened by King Edward VII in 1906, created the second largest granite building in the world (after the Escorial, Madrid).[109]

In addition to the many fine landmark buildings, Aberdeen has many prominent public statues, three of the most notable being William Wallace at the junction between Union Terrace and Rosemount Viaduct, Robert Burns on Union Terrace above Union Terrace Gardens, and Robert the Bruce holding aloft the charter he issued to the city in 1319 on Broad Street, outside Marischal College.[110]

Aberdeen has long been famous for its 45[111] parks and gardens, and citywide floral displays which include two million roses, eleven million daffodils and three million crocuses. The city has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom 'Best City' award ten times,[111] the overall Scotland in Bloom competition twenty times[111] and the large city category every year since 1968.[111] However, despite recent spurious reports, Aberdeen has never been banned from the Britain in Bloom competition.[112] The city won the 2006 Scotland in Bloom "Best City" award along with the International Cities in Bloom award. The suburb of Dyce also won the Small Towns award.[113][114]

Duthie Park opened in 1899 on the north bank of the River Dee. It was named after and given to the city by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie of Ruthrieston in 1881.[115] Hazlehead Park, is large and forested, and located on the outskirts of the city.[116] Johnston Gardens is a small park of one hectare in the west end of the city. In 2002, the garden was named the best garden in the British Islands.[111] Seaton Park, formerly the grounds of a private house, is on the edge of the grounds of St Machar's Cathedral and was acquired for the city in 1947.[117]

Aberdeen has hosted several theatres throughout its history, some of which have been converted or destroyed. The most famous include:

Transport

edit
Main article: Transport in Aberdeen

Railway

edit
 
The Plaza outside Aberdeen station in the early morning, with Union Square to the left
 
The main concourse at Aberdeen station

Aberdeen railway station is served by four train operating companies:

Today, all railway services to the south run via Dundee. The faster main line from Aberdeen to Perth via Forfar and Strathmore closed in 1967, as a result of the Beeching cuts; the faster main line from Perth to Edinburgh via Glenfarg also closed subsequently in 1970.

A second station, at Dyce, serves the north of the city centre; it is on the Aberdeen–Inverness line.

Roads

edit

There are six major roads in and out of the city:

Buses and coaches

edit

First Aberdeen operates the majority of city bus services, as the successor to Grampian Regional Transport (GRT) and Aberdeen Corporation Tramways. Secondary operators include Stagecoach Bluebird and Stagecoach East Scotland.[129]

Aberdeen is the global headquarters of parent company FirstGroup plc, having grown from the GRT Group. First is still based at the former Aberdeen Tramways depot on King Street, which has now been redeveloped into a new headquarters and bus depot.[130]

Coach services are operated by:

Air

edit

Aberdeen Airport (ABZ), sited in Dyce in the north of the city, serves domestic and international destinations in France, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and Scandinavian countries. The heliport, which serves the oil industry and rescue services, is one of the world's busiest commercial heliports.[10]

Cycling

edit

Aberdeen is connected to the UK's National Cycle Network; it has a track to the south, connecting to cities including Dundee and Edinburgh, and one to the north that forks about 10 miles (15 km) from the city into two different tracks heading to Inverness and Fraserburgh respectively. Two popular shared-use paths, along old railway lines, are the Deeside Way to Banchory (which will eventually connect to Ballater) and the Formartine and Buchan Way to Ellon, both used by a mixture of cyclists, walkers and occasionally horses.[132]

Water

edit

Aberdeen Harbour is important as the largest in the north of Scotland and serves the ferry route to Orkney and Shetland. Established in 1136, the harbour has been referred to as the "oldest business in Britain".[133]

The Dee Estuary, Aberdeen's harbour, started out as a fishing port, moving on to steam trawlers and serving the oil industry; it is now a major port of departure for the Baltic and Scandinavia.[134]

Education

edit
Main article: Education in Aberdeen

Universities and colleges

edit
 
The New King's College building of the University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen has two universities, the ancient University of Aberdeen, and Robert Gordon University, a modern university often referred to as RGU. Aberdeen has a higher proportion of students of 11.5%, higher than the national average of 7%.[135]

The University of Aberdeen began as King's College, Aberdeen, which was founded in 1495[134] by William Elphinstone (1431–1514), Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland. Marischal College, a separate institution, was founded in "New" Aberdeen by George Keith, fifth Earl Marischal of Scotland in 1593.[134] These institutions were merged by order[Act?] of Parliament in 1860 to form the University of Aberdeen.[134] The university is the fifth oldest in the English-speaking world[136] and offers degrees in a full range of disciplines. Its main campus is in Old Aberdeen in the north of the city and it currently has approximately 14,000 students. The university's debating society is the oldest in Scotland, founded in 1848 as the King's College Debating Society.[137] Today, Aberdeen is consistently ranked among the top 200 universities in the world[138] and is ranked within the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom.[139][140] Aberdeen was also named the 2019 Scottish University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.[141] In early 2022, Aberdeen opened the Science Teaching Hub.[142]

Robert Gordon's College (originally Robert Gordon's Hospital) was founded in 1750 by the merchant Robert Gordon,[134] grandson of the map maker Robert Gordon of Straloch, and was further endowed in 1816 by Alexander Simpson of Collyhill. Originally devoted to the instruction and maintenance of the sons of poor burgesses of guild and trade in the city, it was reorganised in 1881 as a day and night school for secondary and technical education. In 1903, the vocational education component of the college was designated a Central Institution and was renamed as the Robert Gordon Institute of Technology in 1965. In 1992, university status was awarded and it became Robert Gordon University.[143] The university has expanded and developed significantly in recent years, and was named Best Modern University in the UK for 2012 by The Sunday Times. It was previously The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year for 2011, primarily because of its record on graduate employment. The citation for the 2011 award read: "With a graduate unemployment rate that is lower than the most famous universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, plus a flourishing reputation for research, high student satisfaction rates and ambitious plans for its picturesque campus, the Robert Gordon University is The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year".[144]

 
North East Scotland College

Aberdeen is also home to two artistic schools: Gray's School of Art, founded in 1886, which is one of the oldest established colleges of art in the UK. Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, was one of the first architectural schools to have its training courses recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects. Both are now part of Robert Gordon University and are based at its Garthdee campus. North East Scotland College has several campuses in the city and offers a wide variety of part-time and full-time courses leading to several different qualifications in science. The Scottish Agricultural College is based just outside Aberdeen, on the Craibstone Estate. This is situated beside the roundabout for Aberdeen Airport on the A96. The college provides three services—Learning, Research and Consultancy. The college features many land-based courses such as Agriculture, Countryside Management, Sustainable Environmental Management and Rural Business Management. There are a variety of courses from diplomas to master's degrees. The Marine Laboratory Aberdeen, which specialises in fisheries, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (soil science), and the Rowett Research Institute (animal nutrition) are some other higher education institutions.[134]

The Aberdeen College of Performing Arts also provides full-time Drama and Musical Theatre training at Further Education level.[145]

Schools

edit
 
Cults Academy, established in 1967

There are currently 15 secondary schools and 54 primary schools which are run by the city council. There are a number of private schools in Aberdeen: Robert Gordon's College, Albyn School for Girls (co-educational as of October 2022), St Margaret's School for Girls, the International School of Aberdeen and a Waldorf/Steiner School.[146]

State primary schools in Aberdeen include Airyhall Primary School, Ashley Road Primary School, Balgownie Primary School, Bramble Brae Primary School, Broomhill Primary School, Cornhill Primary School (the city's largest), Culter Primary School, Cults Primary School, Danestone Primary School, Fernielea Primary school, Ferryhill Primary School, Gilcomstoun Primary School, Glashieburn Primary School, Greenbrae School, Hamilton School, Kaimhill Primary School, Kingsford Primary School, Kittybrewster Primary School, Middleton Park Primary School, Mile End School, Muirfield Primary School, Skene Square Primary School, and St. Joseph's Primary School.[146]

State secondary schools in Aberdeen include Aberdeen Grammar School, Albyn School, Bridge of Don Academy, Bucksburn Academy, Cults Academy, Dyce Academy, Harlaw Academy, Hazlehead Academy, Lochside Academy, Northfield Academy, Oldmachar Academy, Robert Gordon's College, St Machar Academy, St Margaret's School for Girls, and The International School Aberdeen.[146]

Independent primary schools in Aberdeen include Albyn School, Robert Gordon's College, St Margaret's School for Girls, and the International School of Aberdeen.[146]

Culture

edit
Main article: Culture in Aberdeen

The city has a wide range of cultural activities, amenities, and museums,[147] and is regularly visited by Scotland's National Arts Companies. It was awarded the Nicholson Trophy for the best-kept town at the Britain in Bloom contest in 1975.[148]

Galleries and museums

edit
 
Maritime Museum, Shiprow[149]
 
Aberdeen Science Centre, Links Road Science Museum

The Aberdeen Art Gallery houses a collection of Impressionist, Victorian, Scottish and 20th-century British paintings as well as collections of silver and glass. It also includes The Alexander Macdonald Bequest, a collection of late 19th-century works donated by the museum's first benefactor and a constantly changing collection of contemporary work and regular visiting exhibitions.[150] The Aberdeen Art Gallery reopened in 2019 after a four-year refurbishment costing £34.6m.[151]

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum, located in Shiprow, tells the story of Aberdeen's links with the sea from the days of sail and clipper ships to the latest oil and gas exploration technology. It includes an 8.5-metre-high (28 ft) model of the Murchison oil production platform and a 19th-century assembly taken from Rattray Head lighthouse Provost Ross' House is the second oldest dwelling house in the city. It was built in 1593 and became the residence of Provost John Ross of Arnage in 1702. The house retains some original medieval features, including a kitchen, fireplaces and beam-and-board ceilings.[152] The Gordon Highlanders Museum tells the story of one of Scotland's best known regiments.[153]

Provost Skene's House on Flourmill Lane dates from 1545 and is the oldest surviving townhouse in the city. It reopened in October 2021 after significant refurbishment costing £3.8m.[154] One of the new exhibitions is a Hall of Heroes featuring 100 Aberdonians who have made a significant contribution to the city.[155][154]

The Tollbooth Museum on the Castlegate (currently closed to visitors) is a former jail, which first opened as a public museum in 1995.[156]

The Aberdeen Treasure Hub is a storage facility for Aberdeen Museums and Galleries containing over 100,000 items.[157] The store is open for infrequent tours, for example as part of Doors Open Day.[158]

Marischal Museum holds the principal collections of the University of Aberdeen, comprising some 80,000 items in the areas of fine art, Scottish history and archaeology, and European, Mediterranean and Near Eastern archaeology. The permanent displays and reference collections are augmented by regular temporary exhibitions, and since its closure to the public it now has a virtual online presence[159] It closed to the public in 2008.[160] The King's Museum acts as the main museum of the university now.[161]

Festivals and performing arts

edit

Aberdeen is home to a number of events and festivals including the Aberdeen International Youth Festival (the world's largest arts festival for young performers), Aberdeen Jazz Festival, Aberdeen Alternative Festival, Rootin' Aboot (a folk and roots music event), Triptych, the University of Aberdeen's annual May Fest (formerly the Word festival) and DanceLive, Scotland's only festival of contemporary dance, produced by the city's Citymoves dance organisation.[162]

The Aberdeen Student Show, performed annually without interruption since 1921, under the auspices of the Aberdeen Students' Charities Campaign, is the longest-running of its kind in the United Kingdom. It is written, produced and performed by students and graduates of Aberdeen's universities and higher education institutions. Since 1929—other than on a handful of occasions—it has been staged at His Majesty's Theatre.[163]

National festivals which visited Aberdeen in 2012 included the British Science Festival in September, hosted by the University of Aberdeen but with events also taking place at Robert Gordon University and at other venues across the city. In February 2012 the University of Aberdeen also hosted the Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival, the longest-running folk festival in the United Kingdom.[164]

Aberdeen is home to Spectra, an annual light festival hosted in different locations across the city.[165]

Aberdeen is home to Nuart, a festival showcasing street art around the city. The festival has run since 2017.[166]

In 2020, the WayWORD Festival[167] was launched by the University of Aberdeen WORD centre for creative writing. This yearly programme celebrates the arts through readings, performances, workshops and discussion panels. There have been many notable headliners including Val McDermid, Irvine Welsh and Douglas Stuart (writer).

Dialect

edit
Main article: Doric dialect (Scotland)

The local dialect of Lowland Scots is often known as Doric and is spoken not just in the city, but across the northeast of Scotland. It differs somewhat from other Scots dialects: most noticeable are the pronunciation "f" for what is normally written "wh" and "ee" for what in standard English would usually be written "oo" (Scots "ui"). Every year the annual Doric Festival takes place in Aberdeenshire to celebrate the history of the north-east's language.[168]

Media and music

edit
Main article: Media in Aberdeen

Aberdeen is home to Scotland's oldest newspaper the Press and Journal, a local and regional newspaper first published in 1747. The Press and Journal and its sister paper the tabloid Evening Express are printed six days a week by Aberdeen Journals. There was one free newspaper, the Aberdeen Citizen. BBC Scotland has a network studio production base in the city's Beechgrove area, and BBC Aberdeen produces The Beechgrove Potting Shed for radio while Tern Television produces The Beechgrove Garden.[169] The city is also home to STV North (formerly Grampian Television), which produces the regional news programmes such as STV News at Six, as well as local commercials. The station, based at Craigshaw Business Park in Tullos, was based at larger studios in Queens Cross from September 1961 until June 2003.[170]

There are three commercial radio stations operating in the city, Northsound 1, Greatest Hits Radio North East Scotland, and independent station Original 106, along with the community radio station shmu FM[171] managed by Station House Media Unit which supports community members to run Aberdeen's full-time community radio station, broadcasting on 99.8 MHz FM.[172]

Music venues include Aberdeen Music Hall and the P&J Live.[173]

Food

edit
 
Aberdeen butteries, also known as rowies, served with jam

The Aberdeen region has given its name to a number of dishes, including the Aberdeen buttery (also known as "rowie")[174] and Aberdeen Sausage.[175]

In 2015, a study was published in The Scotsman which analysed the presence of branded fast food outlets in Scotland. Of the ten towns and cities analysed, Aberdeen was found to have the lowest per capita concentration, with just 0.12 stores per 1,000 inhabitants.[176]

Public services

edit
 
New Royal Aberdeen's Children Hospital and New Emergency Care Centre in background, Foresterhill, Aberdeen

The public health service in Scotland, NHS Scotland provides for the people of Aberdeen through the NHS Grampian health board. Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is the largest hospital in the city and one of the largest in Europe[177][178] (the location of the city's A&E department), Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, a paediatric hospital, Royal Cornhill Hospital for mental health, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, an antenatal hospital, Woodend Hospital, which specialises in rehabilitation and long-term illnesses and conditions, and City Hospital and Woolmanhill Hospital, which host several out-patient clinics and offices. Albyn Hospital is a private hospital located in the west end of the city.[179]

Aberdeen City Council is responsible for city-owned infrastructure which is paid for by a mixture of Council Tax and income from the Scottish Government. Infrastructure and services run by the council include: nursery, primary and secondary education, roads, clearing snow in winter, city wardens, maintaining parks, refuse collection, economic development, public analyst, public mortuary, street cleaning and street lighting. Infrastructure in private hands includes electricity, gas and telecoms. Water and sewerage services are provided by Scottish Water.[180]

Sport

edit
Main article: Sport in Aberdeen

Football

edit

The first ever recorded game of football, was outlined by teacher David Wedderburn in his book "Vocabula" written in 1633, during his time teaching at Aberdeen Grammar School.[184]

 
Pittodrie Stadium viewed from Broad Hill

There are two Aberdeen-based football clubs in the SPFL, the senior branch of Scottish football. Aberdeen F.C. (The Dons) play in the Scottish Premiership at Pittodrie Stadium. The club won the European Cup Winners Cup and the European Super Cup in 1983, the Scottish Premier League Championship four times (1955, 1980, 1984 and 1985), and the Scottish Cup seven times (1947, 1970, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1990). Under the management of Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen was a major force in British football during the 1980s.[185]

After 8 seasons in charge, the most recent of Managers Derek McInnes, was relieved of his duties, the club's failure to achieve anything more than 1 trophy in 24 competitions during his tenure and a recent run of games which saw 1 goal in ten matches ultimately proved costly for the Manager and his Assistant Tony Docherty. Under the management of McInnes the team won the 2014 Scottish League Cup and followed it up with a second-place league finish for the first time in more than 20 years in the following season. But it was over the last few seasons that results stagnated and McInnes was replaced by former Aberdeen and Newcastle player Stephen Glass.[186] The current manager is Jimmy Thelin.

The other senior team is Cove Rangers of League One, who play at Balmoral Stadium in the suburb of Cove Bay. Cove won the Highland Football League championship in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2019, winning the League Two play-offs in 2019 and earning promotion. At the point at which the 2019/20 League Two season was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cove was sitting top of the League Two table and were promoted as Champions.[187]

Local junior teams include Banks O' Dee F.C., Culter F.C., F.C. Stoneywood, Glentanar F.C., Sunnybank and Hermes F.C.[188]

Rugby Union

edit

Aberdeen hosted Caledonia Reds, a Scottish rugby team, before they merged with the Glasgow Warriors in 1998. The city is also home to the Scottish Premiership Division One rugby club Aberdeen GSFP RFC who play at Rubislaw Playing Fields, and Aberdeenshire RFC which was founded in 1875 and runs Junior, Senior Men's, Senior Ladies and Touch sections from the Woodside Sports Complex[189] and also Aberdeen Wanderers RFC.[190]

In 2005 the President of the SRU said it was hoped eventually to establish a professional team in Aberdeen.[191] In November 2008 the city hosted a rugby international at Pittodrie between Scotland and Canada, with Scotland winning 41–0.[192] In November 2010 the city once again hosted a rugby international at Pittodrie between Scotland and Samoa, with Scotland winning 19–16.[193]

Rugby League

edit

Aberdeen Warriors rugby league team play in the Rugby League Conference Division One. The Warriors also run Under 15's and 17's teams. Aberdeen Grammar School won the Saltire Schools Cup in 2011.[194]

Golf

edit
 
Hazlehead Golf Course

The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, founded in 1780 is the sixth oldest golf club in the world, and hosted the Senior British Open in 2005, and the amateur team event the Walker Cup in 2011.[195] Royal Aberdeen also hosted the Scottish Open in 2014, won by Justin Rose.[196] The club has a second course, and there are public golf courses at Auchmill, Balnagask, Hazlehead and King's Links.[197]

There are new courses planned for the area, including world-class facilities with major financial backing, the city and shire are set to become important in golf tourism. In Summer 2012, Donald Trump opened a new state of the art golf course at Menie, just north of the city, as the Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.[198]

Other sports

edit

The City of Aberdeen Swim Team (COAST) was based in Northfield swimming pool, but since the opening of the Aberdeen Aquatics Centre in 2014, it is now based there, as it has a 50 m pool as opposed to the 25 m pool at Northfield. It has been in operation since 1996. The team comprises several smaller swimming clubs and has enjoyed success throughout Scotland and in international competitions. Three of the team's swimmers qualified for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.[199] There are four boat clubs that row on the River Dee: Aberdeen Boat Club (ABC), Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association (ASRA), Aberdeen University Boat Club (AUBC) and Robert Gordon University Boat Club (RGUBC).[200]

The city has one national league side, Stoneywood-Dyce. Local "Grades"[201] cricket has been played in Aberdeen since 1884. Aberdeenshire were the 2009 and 2014 Scottish National Premier League and Scottish Cup Champions.[202]Aberdeen Lynx are an ice hockey team that plays in the Scottish National League and is based at the Linx Ice Arena.[203] Aberdeen University Shinty Club (Scottish Gaelic: Club Camanachd Oilthigh Obar Dheathain) is the oldest constituted shinty club in the world, dating back to 1861.[204]

The city council operates public tennis courts in various parks including an indoor tennis centre at Westburn Park. The Beach Leisure Centre is home to a climbing wall, gymnasium and a swimming pool. There are numerous swimming pools dotted around the city notably the largest, the Bon Accord Baths which closed down in 2008.[205] In common with many other major towns and cities in the UK, Aberdeen has an active roller derby league, Granite City Roller Derb.[206]

The Aberdeen Roughnecks American football club is a new team that started in 2012 and is the first team that Aberdeen has witnessed since the Granite City Oilers that began in 1986 and were wound up in the mid-1990s.[207]Aberdeen Oilers Floorball Club was founded in 2007. The club initially attracted a range of experienced Scandinavian and other European players who were studying in Aberdeen. Since their formation, Aberdeen Oilers have played in the British Floorball Northern League and went on to win the league in the 2008/09 season. The club played a major role in setting up a ladies league in Scotland. The Oilers' ladies team ended up second in the first ladies league season (2008/09).[208]

Twin cities

edit

Aberdeen is twinned with

Notable people and residents

edit
Main article: List of Aberdonians
 
Portrait of Lord Byron by Thomas Phillips, c.1814
edit

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Weather station is located 6 miles (10 km) from the Aberdeen city centre.
  2. ^ Weather station is located 5 miles (8 km) from the Aberdeen city centre.
  3. ^ a b c New category created for the 2011 census
  4. ^ Category restructured for the 2011 census

References

edit
  1. ^ "Council and Democracy". Aberdeen City Council. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Mid-Year Population Estimates, UK, June 2022". Office for National Statistics. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Aberdeen City". Ordnance Survey. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Climate of Aberdeen, Scotland". Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  6. ^ "People associated with Aberdeen – CSUB Events". events.csub.edu. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  7. ^ a b Shepherd, Mike (2015). Oil Strike North Sea: A first-hand history of North Sea oil. Luath Press.
  8. ^ a b "Welcome to Aberdeen". Aberdeen Accommodation Index. Archived from the original on 31 December 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
  9. ^ a b "The old burghs of Aberdeen". Aberdeen Civic Society. Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  10. ^ a b "Flights delayed as climate protesters invade Aberdeen airport". The Daily Telegraph. 3 March 2009. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Architecture of Aberdeen, Scotland". Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2007.
  12. ^ "Aberdeen named among 'Supercities' by HSBC". BBC News. 19 October 2012. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  13. ^ Keith Findlay (8 January 2018). "Why the Granite City is the best place to launch new business". The Press and Journal. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  14. ^ New Aberdeen Archived 16 October 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Gazetteer for Scotland
  15. ^ Kennedy, William (1818). Annals of Aberdeen, from the reign of King William the Lion. Vol. 1. A. Brown & Co. p. 8. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  16. ^ "About Us | Aberdeen Burgesses". Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  17. ^ a b Keith, Alexander (1987). A Thousand Years of Aberdeen. Aberdeen University Press.
  18. ^ a b Fraser, W. Hamish (2000). Aberdeen, 1800 to 2000: A New History. Edinburgh: Tuckwell Press.
  19. ^ Macpherson, Norman (1889). Notes on the Chapel, Crown, and Other Ancient Buildings of King's College, Aberdeen. Neill and Company. p. 9. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Aberdeen Registers Online: 1398–1511". University of Aberdeen. 2019. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  21. ^ Brown, Chris (2002). The Battle of Aberdeen 1644. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Tempus Publishing.
  22. ^ Henderson, Thomas Finlayson (1890). "Gordon, George (d.1649)" . In Stephen, Leslie; Lee, Sidney (eds.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 22. London: Smith, Elder & Co. pp. 190–194.
  23. ^ Jillings, K. (1 August 2010). "Aberdeen's Plague Epidemic of 1647–48". Scottish Medical Journal. 3 (55): 43–45. doi:10.1258/rsmsmj.55.3.43. PMID 20795518. S2CID 24546213. Archived from the original on 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen". National Archives. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  25. ^ "Collection: GB 1105: NHS Grampian Archives". calms.abdn.ac.uk. Aberdeen University. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  26. ^ "Aberdeen History Trail" (PDF). p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  27. ^ a b "Aberdeen Corporation Act 1891" (PDF). legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  28. ^ "The Aberdeen Mittwoch Blitz – Wednesday 21st April 1943" Archived 5 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine, The Doric Columns, Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  29. ^ "The Aberdeen Blitz of 1943 left the City in ruins and death all around". Press and Journal. 20 April 2022. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  30. ^ Grant, Alison (2010). Macleod, Iseabail (ed.). The Pocket Guide to Scottish Place-Names. Glasgow: Richard Drew Ltd. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-899471-00-3. OCLC 759569647. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  31. ^ Charnock, Richard Stephen (1859). Local Etymology: A Derivative Dictionary of Geographical Names. Houlston and Wright.
  32. ^ Crawford, Robert (2014). Bannockburns: Scottish Independence and the Literary Imagination, 1314–2014. Edinburgh University Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-0748685868. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Community Councils". Aberdeen City Council. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  34. ^ "Aberdeen Burgh". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  35. ^ "Old Aberdeen Burgh". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  36. ^ Lee, Clive Howard (2000). Aberdeen, 1800–2000. Tuckwell Press. pp. 236–252. ISBN 9781862321083. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  37. ^ Beckett, J. V. (2005). City Status in the British Isles, 1830–2002. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 0-7546-5067-7.
  38. ^ "Aberdeen Corporation Act 1899 (c. 60)". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  39. ^ "No. 11136". The Edinburgh Gazette. 13 October 1899. p. 958.
  40. ^ "Quarter-inch Administrative Areas Maps: Scotland Sheet 5, 1969". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1994 c. 39, retrieved 29 January 2023
  42. ^ "No. 23789". The Edinburgh Gazette. 26 May 1995. p. 1332.
  43. ^ "2023 Review of UK Parliament Constituency Boundaries in Scotland" (PDF). Boundary Commission for Scotland. 27 June 2023.
  44. ^ Scotland and Europe, Scotland in Europe. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. 2009. p. 254. ISBN 978-1443807043. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  45. ^ Gazetteer for Scotland. "Aberdeen City". Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
  46. ^ "Bon Accord & St Nicholas". bonaccordandstnicholas.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  47. ^ "Aberdeen Official Guide". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 18 February 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2007.
  48. ^ Gazetteer for Scotland. "Details of Aberdeen City". Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2007.
  49. ^ "Aberdeen City". The Gazetteer for Scotland. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2007.
  50. ^ "Aberdeen, UK – LatLong.net". LatLong.net. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  51. ^ "Gothenburg, Sweden – LatLong.net". LatLong.net. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  52. ^ a b "Sunrise and sunset for Aberdeen". Sunrise and Sunset. Archived from the original on 27 October 2015. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  53. ^ "July temp map". MetOffice. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
  54. ^ "2010 minimum". TuTiempo.
  55. ^ "What Is The Fohn Effect?". BBC Weather. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  56. ^ "Climate Aberdeen / Dyce (March 2012) – Climate data (30910)". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  57. ^ Ltd, Copyright Global Sea Temperatures – A-Connect. "Aberdeen Water Temperature – United Kingdom – Sea Temperatures". World Sea Temperatures. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  58. ^ "Aberdeen Airport 1991–2020 averages". Met Office. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  59. ^ "Aberdeen Airport climate normals 1961–1990". Met Office. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  60. ^ "Climatologie de l'année à Aberdeen / Dyce" (in French). Infoclimat. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  61. ^ "Indices Data – Aberdeen Dyce Station 1825". KNMI. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  62. ^ "Craibstone 1981–2010 averages". Met Office. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  63. ^ "Indices Data – Craibstone Station 1629". KNMI. Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  64. ^ "Data Documentation". Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2007.
  65. ^ "Aberdeen Population". Archived from the original on 20 January 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
  66. ^ Aberdeen City Council. "2001 Census: Key Statistics – Aberdeen City". Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
  67. ^ a b c "Aberdeen City Council – 2011 Census Release 2". Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  68. ^ "Comparative Household Profile: Aberdeen City Council Area, Scotland". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2007.
  69. ^ Aberdeen City Council. "Low Income Households in Aberdeen". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2007.
  70. ^ "Scottish homes market view 2008". The Times. London. 28 September 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  71. ^ As UK Census data post-2001 is unavailable through the ONS website, it has been recommended Archived 2 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine to use archival census collection websites to obtain data. Data is taken from United Kingdom Casweb Data services Archived 15 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine of the United Kingdom 1991 Census on Ethnic Data for Scotland. Archived 5 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine (Table 6)
  72. ^ Office of Population Censuses and Surveys; General Register Office for Scotland; Registrar General for Northern Ireland (1997): 1991 Census aggregate data. UK Data Service (Edition: 1997). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5257/census/aggregate-1991-1 Archived 27 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine This information is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence
  73. ^ a b Census Dissemination Unit, Mimas (5 May 2011). "InFuse". infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  74. ^ "Scotland's Census 2011 – Table KS201SC". scotlandscensus.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  75. ^ "Scotland's Census 2022 – Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion – Chart data". Scotland's Census. National Records of Scotland. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024. Alternative URL 'Search data by location' > 'Local Authority (CA2019)' > 'Aberdeen City' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Ethnic Group'
  76. ^ "Table UV204 – Country of birth: Country by Country of Birth by Individuals". National Records of Scotland. Retrieved 24 May 2024. > 'Aberdeen City' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Country of birth: UV204'
  77. ^ "Council Area 2019 by Religion by Individuals". National Records of Scotland. Retrieved 24 May 2024. Aberdeen City > Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion > Religion UV205
  78. ^ "Council Area 2019 by Religion by Individuals". National Records of Scotland. Retrieved 24 May 2024. Aberdeen City > Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion
  79. ^ Alison Cameron; Judith A. Stones; Chris Croly (2019). "Excavations at Aberdeen's Carmelite Friary, 1980–1994". Internet Archaeology. 52 (52). doi:10.11141/ia.52.1. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  80. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Aberdeen, Broad Street, University of Aberdeen, Marischal College (125349)". Canmore. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  81. ^ St Peter's R.c. Church and Presbytery and 1–5 Chapel Court, Aberdeen Archived 5 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine from British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 12 January 2016
  82. ^ 'Aberdeen Archived 16 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine' on Find your local Christadelphians
  83. ^ "New Church Leader for Aberdeen Congregation". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 9 August 2015. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  84. ^ "Aberdeen Mosque and Islamic Centre". aberdeenmosque.org. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  85. ^ "Mosques in Aberdeen, UK". nearestmosque.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  86. ^ "Aberdeen Hindu Association". Archived from the original on 22 June 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  87. ^ "A burst of energy in Europe's oil capital". BBC News. 12 November 2003. Archived from the original on 25 November 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  88. ^ "Jobs go at Aberdeen textile firm". BBC News. 18 November 2004. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2009.
  89. ^ "Water pumping work starts at Rubislaw Quarry in Aberdeen". BBC News. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 13 July 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  90. ^ "Aberdeen Harbour: A History of Service". Aberdeen Harbour Board. Archived from the original on 3 April 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  91. ^ "Fisheries Research Services, Aberdeen Marine Laboratory, United Kingdom". British Oceanographic Data Centre. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  92. ^ "History and Background". Rowett Research Institute. Archived from the original on 29 December 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2007.
  93. ^ "A Scientist's guide to Scotland". New Scientist. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  94. ^ "A burst of energy in Europe's oil capital". BBC News. 12 November 2003. Archived from the original on 27 July 2004. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  95. ^ Stanley Reed (28 July 2013). "Aberdeen, a City With One Foot on the Seafloor". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  96. ^ "Underwater drones set to save Aberdeen's oil economy". The Times. 15 August 2016. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  97. ^ Port History Archived 14 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine – PeterheadPort.co.uk
  98. ^ "BP to sell Forties Pipeline System to INEOS" (Press release). BP. 3 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  99. ^ "Aberdeen 'best-placed city for growth' in Britain". BBC News. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  100. ^ "Record rise in North Sea oil and gas investment expected". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  101. ^ "Construction gets underway for new GDF Suez E&P UK Aberdeen premises". GDF Suez E&P. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  102. ^ "Invest Aberdeen Facts & Figures". Aberdeen Invest Live Visit. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  103. ^ "Anti-gravity machine among inventions making Aberdeen a leader in patents race". Evening Express. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  104. ^ "Council leader welcomes Union Square proposals". 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  105. ^ "Cowgills appointed administrator of Aberdeen Market Village". Scottish Financial News. 16 June 2020. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  106. ^ "Aberdeen Fairtrade". Aberdeenfairtrade.org.uk. Archived from the original on 25 December 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  107. ^ Archer, Paul (2014). "Aberdeen: The Granite City". GEO Expro. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  108. ^ "Overview of Town House". University of Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  109. ^ "Overview of Marischal College". University of Edinburgh. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  110. ^ "New Robert the Bruce statue unveiled in Aberdeen". BBC. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  111. ^ a b c d e "Floral Capital of Scotland". British Publishing. 20 February 2007. Archived from the original on 1 April 2007.
  112. ^ Simpson, Maureen (22 September 2006). "We're top of Brit parade". Press and Journal. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
  113. ^ "2006 winners". Royal Horticultural Society. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2007.
  114. ^ "Aberdeen's blooming success goes worldwide". Press and Journal. 28 December 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2004.
  115. ^ "Duthie Park | Aberdeen City Council". aberdeencity.gov.uk. 19 January 2022. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  116. ^ "Hazlehead maze opens for the summer". Aberdeen City Council News. 16 June 2006. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  117. ^ "Seaton Park". Gazetteer for Scotland. Archived from the original on 16 January 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  118. ^ Edi Swan: His Majesty's Theatre – One Hundred Years of Glorious Damnation (Black & White Publishing) (2006); ISBN 978-1-84502-102-3
  119. ^ "Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Website". Aberdeentivoli.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  120. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "431 Union Street Including 429, 433, 441, 443 Union Street, Former Capitol Cinema (Category B Listed Building) (LB20547)". Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  121. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "33 King Street, Aberdeen Arts Centre (Category A Listed Building) (LB19946)". Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  122. ^ "Aberdeen Theatres and Halls". Arthurlloyd.co.uk. 13 March 2004. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  123. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Union Street, South Silver Street and Golden Square, Music Hall (Category A Listed Building) (LB19991)". Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  124. ^ "Timetable". ScotRail. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  125. ^ "Download our current timetables". LNER. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  126. ^ "Train timetables". CrossCountry. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  127. ^ "All timetables". Caledonian Sleeper. 2 June 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  128. ^ "A947 Bucksburn Roundabout to Parkhill Junction Multi-Modal Corridor Study". Aberdeen City Council. 22 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  129. ^ "Aberdeen: Ferry, coach and bus services". Bustimes.org. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  130. ^ The Princess Royal opens FirstGroup's new Aberdeen base Archived 14 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine BBC News 15 July 2010
  131. ^ "London to Aberdeen by direct bus services". Europe Bus. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  132. ^ "Formatine and Buchan Way". Scotland's Great Trails. Archived from the original on 13 October 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  133. ^ "It's a fact: 50 things you may not have known about Aberdeen". Aberdeen Official Guide. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006. Retrieved 15 February 2007.
  134. ^ a b c d e f Hoiberg, Dale H., ed. (2010). "Aberdeen". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. I: A-ak Bayes (15th ed.). pp. 27–28. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  135. ^ "Comparative Education Profile: Aberdeen City Council Area, Scotland". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2007.
  136. ^ Carter, Jennifer (1994). Crown and Gown: Illustrated History of the University of Aberdeen, 1495–1995. Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press.
  137. ^ "Aberdeen University Debater". Aberdeen University Debater. Archived from the original on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  138. ^ "University of Aberdeen Rankings". Quacquarelli Symonds. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  139. ^ "Top UK University League Tables and Rankings 2019". Archived from the original on 25 June 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  140. ^ "University Guide 2016 – The Times". nuk-tnl-editorial-prod-staticassets.s3.amazonaws.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  141. ^ "University of Aberdeen named Scottish University of the Year". abdn.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  142. ^ "Science Teaching Hub | Study Here | The University of Aberdeen". abdn.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  143. ^ "Our History | About | RGU". rgu.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  144. ^ The Sunday Times, 12 September 2010 (subscription only).
  145. ^ "About us". Aberdeen College of Performing Arts. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  146. ^ a b c d "List of Aberdeen City schools". Aberdeen City Council. 9 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  147. ^ "Aberdeen Culture". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 28 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  148. ^ "Aberdeen wins Bloom Trophy". Evening Express. 29 July 1975. Retrieved 18 May 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  149. ^ "Aberdeen Maritime Museum". Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  150. ^ "Aberdeen Art Gallery". Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums. Archived from the original on 6 December 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  151. ^ "Aberdeen Art Gallery reopens after £34.6m revamp". BBC News. 2 November 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  152. ^ "Provost Ross' House". The Gazetteer for Scotland. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  153. ^ "The Gordon Highlanders Museum". Army Museums Ogilby Trust. Archived from the original on 26 September 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  154. ^ a b "Provost Skene's House in Aberdeen reopens with 'hall of heroes'". BBC News. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  155. ^ "Provost Skene's House | Aberdeen City Council". aberdeencity.gov.uk. 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  156. ^ "The Tolbooth Museum | Aberdeen City Council". aberdeencity.gov.uk. 19 May 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  157. ^ "Aberdeen Treasure Hub | Aberdeen City Council". aberdeencity.gov.uk. 16 November 2022. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  158. ^ "Aberdeen Treasure Hub Museum Centre » VisitAberdeenshire". VisitAberdeenshire. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  159. ^ "Marischal Museum: Introduction". University of Aberdeen. Archived from the original on 7 February 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2007.
  160. ^ "Marischal Museum. Visiting and Contacting the Museum. University of Aberdeen". Abdn.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012.
  161. ^ "King's Museum". The University of Aberdeen. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  162. ^ "Aberdeen Dance Agency Citymoves springs into 35th anniversary celebrations". Press and Journal. 6 April 2022. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  163. ^ Edi Swan: His Majesty's Theatre – One Hundred Years of Glorious Damnation (Black & White Publishing) (2006) ISBN 978-1-84502-102-3
  164. ^ "Dancers descend on Aberdeen". University of Aberdeen. 1 March 2012. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  165. ^ "SPECTRA ABERDEEN". SPECTRA ABERDEEN. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  166. ^ "Nuart Aberdeen – Bringing Street Art into The Mainstream". VisitAberdeenshire. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  167. ^ "WayWORD Festival". WayWORD Festival. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  168. ^ "The Doric Festival". The Doric Festival. Archived from the original on 1 July 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  169. ^ "The Beechgrove Garden". Tern Television. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012.
  170. ^ "The Grampian Story". Grampian Television Studios. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  171. ^ "Shmu community media productions". Shmufm.net. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  172. ^ "Shmu community media productions". Shmu.org.uk. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  173. ^ "Music Hall – History & Tour". Archived from the original on 22 February 2007. Retrieved 5 February 2007.
  174. ^ "Aberdeen_Rowie". EatScotlank.com (Scotland's National Tourism Organisation). Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  175. ^ de Lafayette, Maximillien (2007). Hospitality and Food Best and Worst. American Hospitality Institute. p. 301. ISBN 9781434819697.
  176. ^ "Livingston named Scotland's fast food capital". Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  177. ^ Aitken, Louise (September 2016), "Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to hit new heights as it marks its 80th year", Evening Express, archived from the original on 6 March 2018, retrieved 5 March 2018
  178. ^ "Aberdeen Royal Infirmary reconfiguration". Robertson Group. Archived from the original on 6 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  179. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "22 and 23 Albyn Place, Albyn Hospital, including boundary walls (LB20118)". Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  180. ^ "Business, Industry and Energy: The water industry in Scotland". Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  181. ^ "Scottish Ambulance Service Locations North East". 21 September 2003. Archived from the original on 21 September 2003.
  182. ^ "Praise after fire service merger". The Herald. 13 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  183. ^ "Aberdeen Lifeboat". RNLI Aberdeen. Archived from the original on 5 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  184. ^ "Aberdeen nets football invention". BBC News. 13 June 2006. Archived from the original on 15 August 2006. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  185. ^ Ferguson, Alex (2000). Managing My Life. Coronet. ISBN 0-340-72856-6.
  186. ^ Smith, Tyrone (23 March 2021). "Aberdeen: Stephen Glass named new Pittodrie boss". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 March 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  187. ^ "Dundee Utd, Raith & Cove win titles & reconstruction talks start after Dundee vote". BBC Sport. 15 April 2020. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  188. ^ "Football". ClubSport Aberdeen. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  189. ^ "Aberdeenshire Rugby Football Club – The Community Club". Aberdeenshirerfc.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 May 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  190. ^ "Aberdeen Wanderers progress in National Shield Thriller". Press and Journal. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  191. ^ "Irvine wants an Aberdeen pro-team". BBC Sport. 13 September 2005. Archived from the original on 14 September 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  192. ^ "Scotland 41-0 Canada". BBC Sport. 22 November 2008. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  193. ^ "Scotland 19-16 Samoa". BBC Sport. 27 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  194. ^ "Scotland Rugby League". Scotlandrl.com. 20 April 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  195. ^ "Golf event to swing into Aberdeen". BBC. 8 May 2006. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2007.
  196. ^ Ewan Murray (13 July 2014). "Justin Rose marks return to form with an impressive win at the Scottish Open". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  197. ^ "Golf Aberdeen". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  198. ^ Tuffrey, Laurie (10 July 2012). "Donald Trump opens controversial Scottish golf course". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  199. ^ "City of Aberdeen Swim Team". Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  200. ^ "Our Clubs". Scottish Rowing. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  201. ^ "Aberdeen Grades Association". Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  202. ^ "Dons do double by D/L". Cricket Scotland. 6 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  203. ^ "Aberdeen Lynx at eliteprospects.com". eliteprospects.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  204. ^ "University's historic shinty exhibits go on display at Hampden's football museum". University of Aberdeen. 15 January 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021.
  205. ^ "Aberdeen City Council website". Government of the United Kingdom. 26 October 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
  206. ^ "Granite City Roller Girls league site". Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  207. ^ "Aberdeen Roughnecks accepted into National League". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013.
  208. ^ "Aberdeen Oilers Floorball Club". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014.
  209. ^ a b c d e "Aberdeen's Twin Cities". Aberdeen City Council. Archived from the original on 26 November 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  210. ^ "Houston Grampian Association, About us". Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  211. ^ "Hydrogen Twin Cities Award for Aberdeen and Kobe, Japan". 16 November 2022. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  212. ^ "Neil Fachie". Team Scotland. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  213. ^ "Granite Noir in the Granite City". Crime Reads. 19 February 2020. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  214. ^ "Book Review: Eye of the Needle". Graeme Shimmin. 25 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  215. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  216. ^ "Danny Wilson: Aberdeen". Genius. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  217. ^ "Aberdeen". Discogs. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  218. ^ "Cage the Elephant: Aberdeen". Genius. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  219. ^ "The XCERTS – Aberdeen 1987". Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  220. ^ Begbie, Scott (3 March 2021). "Beam us up, Scotty – it's time to pay tribute to Aberdeen's Star Trek legend". Press and Journal. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

Further reading

edit
edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aberdeen.
 
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Aberdeen.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aberdeen&oldid=1257979844"