The traditional Aboyne Highland Games, held on Aboyne Green, have been running since 1867, though can trace gatherings as far back as 1703. They offer the "heavy" sports (shot-putting, hammer-throwing and caber-tossing) as well as bagpiping and Scottish dancing.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
Stonehaven's massive open-air swimming pool is the only Art Deco, Olympic-sized, filtrated seawater swimming pool in the UK. On one of Scotland's rare beautiful summer days there are few destinations better loved.
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May - Sep 2013 (annual)
Every New Year at midnight, Hogmanay celebrations in Stonehaven feature a large, fireball-swinging procession up and down the High Street. At the end (00.25) the flaming orbs are thrown into the sea at the harbour, followed by a five-minute fireworks display.
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Dec 2013 (annual)
The Stonehaven Folk Festival returns to this picturesque coastal town with concerts every evening on the town hall's main stage and fringe events just about everywhere. Watch out for the Aqua Ceilidh in Stonehaven's Art Deco open-air swimming pool...
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The ruins of Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic cliff-top fortress, near Stonehaven date back to the fourth century. Look out for the War Memorial on nearby Black Hill, which affords 360-degree views of the castle and bay.
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The five-star Marcliffe is Aberdeen's most luxurious hotel, a grand manor house set in eight acres of rolling parkland. Dine on local cuisine in romantic splendour in the Conservatory Restaurant.
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Daily
The Conservatory Restaurant at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, west of the city centre, places an emphasis on locally sourced produce. Pork and beef feature high on the menu along with a wide selection of fish dishes and vegetarian options. The restaurant maintains a reputation for quality cuisine and first-class service. Diners can eat outside on summer days.
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The Gordon Highlanders Museum in the West End offers an informative and evocative journey through the dramatic 200-year history of the regiment. Exhibitions include personal testimonies, interactive maps, original film footage, uniforms, medals and weapons.
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Simpsons's Hotel Restaurant combines Scottish produce with contemporary flavours. Try dishes such as traditional Cullen skink (smoked haddock and potato soup), monkfish wrapped in parma ham and supreme of chicken with Stornoway black pudding. This West End restaurant is smart but relaxed and is decorated with possibly the only palm trees in Aberdeen.
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Daily
Dizzy's is a family-run bar and restaurant in Aberdeen's West End and is popular with the after-work crowd and locals. Decorated in warm colours, the bar is split into smaller areas, creating a more intimate atmosphere.
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The Ashvale in the West End serves fish and chips. Haddock, cod, plaice, lemon sole, skate and turbot all feature on the menu, along with The Ashvale Whale, a one-pound cod fillet for anyone with a big appetite. A family favourite, this is an unfussy and good-value diner that has won numerous national "best chippy" awards.
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Little Italy in the city centre is the place to find good old-fashioned Italian cooking, "just like Mama used to make". Try classics such as carbonara and lasagne with wines to match. The atmosphere is lively, the staff friendly and the decor is rustic with wooden tables and bright tablecloths.
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Exclusive boutique Kafka in the city centre stocks male and female clothing and accessories. The main store on Alford Place offers designer labels such as Paul Smith, Burberry and Joseph, and a second store (on Rosemount Viaduct) specialises in menswear.
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The big screen at The College in the West End makes it a popular venue to watch the match of the day. After the sport has finished, it attracts a mature but lively crowd who enjoy sipping cocktails in the minimalist surroundings.
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Babylon is a Gothic-style club located above The College Bar in the West End. It's popular with an older crowd for drinks at the weekend, with glamorous hostesses providing table service, and live percussion accompanying club classics on the dancefloor.
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Hamish Munro is a city-centre store established more than 25 years ago. The boutique specialises in ladies' footwear, but also offers a comprehensive range of designer women's clothing, jewellery, accessories and leather handbags.
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City centre restaurant Bhan Thai in Rose Street has a menu brimming with quality Thai dishes at affordable prices. Oriental artwork adds to the authenticity of the ambience and the menu. Favourites include the coconut chicken, pad thai and hot red curries, washed down with a cold Tiger beer.
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One of Scotland's top free attractions, the Winter Gardens on the South Side in Duthie Park is worth visiting at any time of the year. Highlights include the Japanese Gardens, the Antipodean plants in the Flora Hall and the largest cacti collection in Britain.
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Nova in the West End sells a selection of unusual and interesting gifts for every occasion, such as Highland stoneware and contemporary Bridgewater ceramics. There's also a good selection of cookware and a fun kids' corner with traditional toys and games.
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Located in a former church, city centre club Soul places an emphasis on image, its opulent décor and dimmed lighting creating a laid-back atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, it attracts a fashionable crowd for cocktails, food and drinks. There's also a members' casino for those feeling lucky.
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The Priory in the city centre retains many of the features of its former life as a church. These days there's a DJ in the pulpit and a young, energetic crowd dance among the renovated pews to chart favourites.
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Daily
Formerly the Blu Bar, Aberdeen's Tonik Bar caters for the cocktail crowd at the Galleria Centre. In addition to well-shaken alcoholic beverages the bar rocks to local DJs, making Tonik a popular first stop on a granite city evening out.
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Daily
Designed by Aberdeen architect Archibald Simpson, Aberdeen Music Hall has been a premier venue in the city centre since 1822 and a celebrated landmark in Union Street. Today it hosts concerts of all genres, from pop, rock and jazz to classical.
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The Royal Scottish National Orchestra presents its annual Christmas Concert at Aberdeen Music Hall. Christopher Bell both conducts and presents a tuneful seasonal potpourri which includes live accompaniment to Raymond Briggs' animated classic The Snowman, and sing-along carols.
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Dec 2013 (various dates)
The BBC Scottish Symphony's annual Friday night visits to the Aberdeen Music Hall bring both chief conductor Donald Runnicles and guest conductors. There's nothing quite like an orchestra playing at full pelt, or achieving the quietest pianissimo immediately after.
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Sep 2012 - Apr 2013; Thu and Fri only (annual)
Look out for visiting thespians at The Stage Door Restaurant, close to Aberdeen's main city-centre theatres. Over the past decade this restaurant has made a name for itself, so it is always busy; the pre-theatre set menu is particularly popular and value for money. Steaks are the speciality, but there's also a decent selection of Scottish dishes with a continental twist.
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The traditional decor of white table cloths, complementary curtains and deep sofas make the Brentwood Hotel Restaurant a comfortable and welcoming place for dinner. Located in the city centre it serves pub menu classics such as homemade lasagne and Scottish beef, as well as poached monkfish and spicy lamb.
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The popular city-centre Foyer Restaurant offers dairy-free and gluten-free options such as honey-and-mustard grain chicken with smoked gammon and mash. The menu changes every few weeks, keeping it fresh and matching the modern interior design. Housed in a former church, the restaurant is also used as a gallery space for local artists.
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A relaxed and friendly place to buy books, browse the internet and have a coffee, Books and Beans in central Aberdeen feels more like a friend's front room. And with 15,000 books, there's plenty of good reads to choose from.
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Aberdeen's Union Terrace hosts regular International Street Markets, attracting 120,000 visitors to the city centre. Around 70 stalls offer food, crafts and gardening supplies alongside fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs, spices and plants.
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Mar 2013 (various dates)
His Majesty's Theatre in the city centre has retained its beautiful Victorian-era décor, although refurbishment has given it a contemporary edge. The theatre presents a full programme of touring theatre, musicals, comedy and dance productions.
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As traditional as Christmas pudding, British pantomimes get families out and about over the festive season. Popular Scottish actress Elaine C Smith is once again joined by local favourites Alan McHugh and Jordan Young, this year in Jack and the Beanstalk.
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Dec 2013 - Jan 2014 (annual)
Scottish Opera's first visit to Aberdeen's His Majesty's Theatre this season revives Sir Thomas Allen first production for the company, Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia. It's s Rossini's best-known opera, written in just three weeks and packed full of dramatic and musical wit.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Scottish Opera's summer visit to Aberdeen's His Majesty's Theatre brings Anthony Besch's production of Puccini's "shabby little shocker" Tosca. Susannah Glanville stars in the title role, with José Ferrero as Cavaradossi, Robert Poulton as Scarpia and music director Francesco Croti in the pit.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Housed in an old church with a spectacular stained-glass window near Aberdeen's train station, Soul Casino's American Roulette, blackjack and casino stud poker entertain Aberdeen's beautiful people. An on-site restaurant and bar sustain players as they bid for glory.
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Neoclassical Aberdeen Art Gallery was designed by local architect Alexander Marshall MacKenzie and opened in 1885. Today its impressive art collection ranges from the Impressionists and Scottish Colourists to contemporary crafts and local silverware. It also hosts a programme of special exhibitions.
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With five bars and three separate rooms, Liquid & Envy treat the Granite City to four nights of clubbing every week. Lasers and 360° graphics, Aberdeen's biggest dancefloor and the best music from four decades create a party atmosphere.
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Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat only
At the Astoria Restaurant in the Aberdeen Northern Hotel in Kittybrewster, you'll find classic dishes. The Art Deco-themed interior makes it popular with locals, particularly for special occasions. The menu includes favourites such as game pie and haddock stuffed with prawns and cheese, as well as the 8oz prime Aberdeen Angus fillet steak.
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Head down to Aberdeen's Belmont St and the Academy Shopping Centre for this monthly street market, where around 20,000 punters come to feast their eyes on local produce, delicacies and goodies.
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Feb 2013 (various dates)
The Academy Shopping Centre, located inside a former school in the city centre, is home to hip high-street stores, bars, cafés and hairdressers. Find brand names such as Maharishi, Lyle & Scott, Diesel and Ted Baker, alongside the I-Candy Hair and Beauty salon.
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08457 76 76 76
