About Aberdeen, Scotland

Aberdeen may often be seen as Scotland's third city, after the sophisticated capital of Edinburgh and the stylish metropolis of Glasgow, but there is no doubt that its residents and many of its visitors consider it second-to-none.

One of the things that is most immediately striking about this grand Scottish city is its skyline, with a striking landscape of granite buildings providing a literally sparkling sight in the evenings. While it is a busy and active city at its heart, Aberdeen retains its connections with down-to-earth, rural life and offers as many stunning views of nature as it does shops, restaurants and bars.

A multiple winner of the Britain in Bloom competition, Aberdeen is famous for its floral attractions. Estimates suggest that the city is home to two million roses, three million crocuses and 11 million daffodils. This is a side to the city that visitors to the Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen will be able to experience with ease, as the Duthie Park gardens are just a leisurely walk away.

Duthie Park is named after the woman who donated the 44 acres of land to the city of Aberdeen in 1880. The park was opened to the public in 1883 and now boasts a number of features, including a bandstand, fountains, ponds and statues. One of the highlights of the site is the winter garden, which was redeveloped in 1970 and now houses a range of exotic plants, including one of Britain's largest collections of cacti. Next to the winter garden is the Japanese garden, an area that was opened in 1987 to commemorate those who died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Visitors hoping to absorb some history during their stay in Aberdeen can pay a visit to Balmoral Castle, part of a grand estate that traces its royal heritage back to 1848, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria. Balmoral has been the Scottish home of the British royal family ever since. The estate in which the majestic castle nestles covers some 50,000 acres of land, encompassing heather-clad hills, Caledonian woodland and extending close to the River Dee.

Beautiful flowers, collections of plants, historic castles and rolling landscapes may be all well and good for the adults, but family groups may find that their younger members get bored before long. This is a condition easily solved, however, with Aberdeen's Storybook Glen offering enough entertainment to keep the most easily distracted youngsters interested. This park is set in 28 acres of scenic land on Royal Deeside and boasts a variety of attractions themed around popular nursery rhymes and fairytales. Children, and possibly adults, will find more than 100 of their favourite characters hiding among magical trees, secret waterfalls, enchanted castles and plenty more intriguing locations.

If it's evening entertainment visitors are looking for, once again Aberdeen doesn't disappoint, with restaurants around the city serving some of the finest food and drink of a quintessentially Scottish flavour – from Aberdeen Angus beef to shortbread biscuits and malt whisky. The city is also home to a number of top entertainment venues, including the Aberdeen Music Hall, which over the coming months will host acts as varied as the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Charlatans and Jimmy Carr.

Book your stay at the Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen

The Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen

Perfectly located in the city centre, Copthorne Hotel Aberdeen is an ideal base to discover the historical landmarks and attractions in the Silver city. With easy access to the shopping area, this trendy Aberdeen hotel offers comfortable guest rooms with contemporary amenities, meeting facilities with personalized services and dining options.