History of Aberdeen
In the twelfth century, Alexander I noted “Aberdon” as one of his principal towns, and by the thirteenth century it had become a centre for trade and fishing. A century or so later Bishop Elphinstone founded the Catholic university in the area north of town known today as Old Aberdeen, while the rest of the city developed as a mercantile centre and important port.
By the mid-twentieth century, Aberdeen’s traditional industries were in decline, but the discovery of oil in the North Sea transformed the place from a depressed port into a boom town.
Since the 1970s, oil has made Aberdeen a hugely wealthy and self-confident place. Despite (or perhaps because of) this, it can sometimes feel like a soulless city, existing mainly as a departure point for the transient population who live on the oil platforms out to sea.
Dunnottar Castle
South of Aberdeen, the A92 and the main train line follow the coast to the pretty harbour town of Stonehaven. Two miles south, the stunningly capricious Dunnottar Castle is one of Scotland's finest castles and was voted as one of the most beautiful places in Scotland.