Combining the best of city and country, Aberdeen City and Shire is the perfect place for people who want to explore the great outdoors while staying close to civilisation. Much loved by the Royal Family, the “Granite City", as it's known, is home to beautiful architecture and fascinating heritage.
Aberdeen's national recognition as one of the best-placed UK cities for growth makes it one of the leading destinations for networking – as such there are conference halls and meeting facilities located all over the city and in its surrounding area, all within easy reach when you hire a car from the airport.
From castle country to sports centre
If you want to get out of the city, Inverurie is only 16 miles away and is a great place for touring castles of the area, including the ruins of the medieval Kinkell Church, which can be found to the south of the town. Home to over 300 castles, Aberdeenshire really is “castle country" and has the only castle trail in Scotland, where you can discover the stories behind the area's most famous fortifications.
Aviemore is a two-hour drive away from the city centre and is a popular destination for those who enjoy winter sports. Whilst here, it's definitely worth taking in the natural unspoilt wilderness of Cairngorms National Park – suitable for all ages, you can explore the vast green forests, picturesque lochs and spectacular mountains.
Family time and retail therapy
There are many activities for the whole family to enjoy in Aberdeen. Discover more about the world around us at Satrosphere Science Centre, which is Scotland's first science and discovery centre. It's a great day out for all the family while being both fun and educational. For a chance to wind down, take a trip to the David Welch Winter Gardens, which has exotic plants from all around the world in one of Europe's largest indoor gardens.
Hiring a car from Aberdeen Airport gives you the chance to head into the city for a spot of retail therapy and what better place to start than the newest and biggest centre, Union Square? It's home to retail stores and restaurants and a 10-screen cinema. If large malls aren't for you, there are plenty of other shopping opportunities throughout the region. With arts and crafts, local produce and confectionary to clothes and gifts, there are plenty of stores to suit every taste.
Wildlife and stunning landscapes
Aberdeenshire is made up of 165 miles of clifftops, coves and beaches, with a number of traditional fishing villages dotted along the coastline. If you're a fan of wildlife, take a trip to the Banffshire Coast, where you might spot the world's most northerly population of bottlenose dolphins.
If you're looking for something a little more cultural in Scotland's third-biggest city, visit King's Museum which is housed in Aberdeen University. Here you can enjoy exhibitions that change every few months, displaying an impressive collection of fine art pieces.
With the mix of business amenities and cultural diversions on offer, no matter what the purpose of your visit, you'll certainly make it a successful trip.
