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Marischal College
I had an overnight trip to Aberdeen at the start of April.
For me, that’s hardly a glamorous event worth blogging about… and then I remember it might be more interesting for others.
My mum was born and raised in Aberdeen. My grandparents lived there when I was a child. We visited frequently. They lived across the street from King’s College – the main Aberdeen University campus back then.
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47 University Road
When it came to be my time for higher education, Aberdeen had the right course for me (I thought) and it was a place I knew and loved (although my grandparents were both dead by then). So off I went.
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King’s College Sports Pavilion
I lived in the city for 7 years, all told. After that, and being mid 20s, I was keen to widen my horizons and moved on.
So, I always enjoy going back.
For this last trip I stayed overnight as I knew the event I’d be attending would finish between 9 and 10pm. I got a great deal at the Park Inn by Radisson – £45 for the night.
Breakfast wasn’t included but I’d be on the road too early for that anyway. I suspect it’s a special Sunday night rate – no business travellers and no weekenders either. It was quiet.
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Park Inn by Radisson
Anyway, it was fine for what I needed.
The city has quite a few sights which make it worth a visit from the purely tourist perspective – King’s College, Old Aberdeen and Provost Skene’s House come to mind.
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King’s College
It is the UK’s oil and gas epicentre, and that makes it an affluent and relatively expensive destination – although the sector is so cyclical you’ll find plenty of good hotel deals if it’s going through one of its occasional downturns.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2018