Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Aberdeen is often called "The Oil Capital of Europe". The area around Aberdeen is an important centre for Europe’s oil industry. The city, known for its granite buildings, is home to the headquarters of several oil companies.
Granite Architecture
Aberdeen's city centre is noted for its remarkable amount of granite Victorian era buildings, which give the city a distinctive grey hue. One-third of all buildings constructed between 1874 and 1914 were built using local grey granite.
Universities and Education
Aberdeen has the fourth-largest student population in Scotland (after Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee) with around 50,000 students within its two universities, the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University.
Historic Castles
The area is home to many castles, including the imposing Dunnottar Castle and historic Balmoral Castle, the Scottish summer home to the Royal Family.
Famous Scots
Aberdeen has produced many famous people across a range of fields, including:
- Alexander Forbes Irvine (1863–1941), geologist, academic, and explorer.
- Andy Murray (born 1987), tennis player, former World No. 1.
- Archibald Menzies (1754–1842), naturalist and surgeon, who sailed on the HMS Discovery on George Vancouver's expedition.
- Charles Gray (1729–1806), botanist, mycologist, and physician.
- David Wilkie (1785–1841), painter.
- Eric Nicol (1919–2004), author.
- Hamish Henderson (1919–2002), poet, singer, songwriter and folklorist.
- Sir Ian Woodward (born 1942), Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick and former Rector of Imperial College London.
- Jason Leitch (born 1969), Clinical Director for Scotland.
- John Byrom (1692–1763), poet and stenographer.
- Ken Gerrard (born 1959), Scottish professional footballer.
- Maggie Lawson (born 1980), American actress.
- Michelle Mone (born 1971), businesswoman and lingerie designer.
- Richard Dawson (1932–2012), American actor and game show host.
- Robert W. Service (1874–1958), poet and writer.
- Sheena McDonald (born 1959), Scottish professional footballer and manager.
- Stuart Adamson (1958–2001), musician, songwriter and record producer.
- Trevor McDonald (born 1939), journalist, newsreader and television presenter.
- William Alexander (1767–1816), artist, poet, and art dealer.
- William Forsyth (1737–1804), botanist and fruit grower, considered to be the father of modern pomology.