Aberdeen Ferries and Ferry Crossings

Welcome to the Aberdeen, Scotland (UK) section of FerryCrossings.org, the site for information about major UK and continental ports and the ferries between them. Our site includes an introduction to a number of ports and feature pages about the various crossing ways, lanes and routes and companies operating between them to help you plan your journey and discover interesting travel destinations along the way.

Port of Aberdeen, Scotalnd, UK

It's from the city of Aberdeen that you can take a ferry to The Orkney or Shetland Islands. If time isn't pressing then this city will reward the time spent exploring and getting to know it. Once known as the 'Granite City', in the later years of the 20th century it became more famous as the oil capital of the UK when drilling began in the North Sea.

Aberdeen is on the north east coast of Scotland and the county town of Aberdeenshire. There is evidence of settlement along the river dating back to prehistoric times. During its turbulent history in the last millennium Aberdeen has been granted charters, been taken by the English, re-taken and then lost again, only to be burned by a vengeful Edward III of England. During the years of the English Civil War it suffered damage as Royalist and Parliamentarian supporters battled for the city and then, in the late 1640s, bubonic plague broke out and around 25% of the city's population perished. The following couple of centuries saw Aberdeen begin to develop commercially and, by the 1800s, it was becoming important for fishing, textiles, steelworks, shipbuilding and paper-making. The 20th century saw the decline in fishing and traditional industries but an upsurge in tourism, oil-related services and in industry.

If it's shopping that you're looking for then look no further - Aberdeen ranks third in Scotland with both traditional shopping areas and new, purpose-built Malls and Centres. Culturally, this University city has a great deal to offer with impressive art galleries and museums plus several themed museums such as the Maritime Museum and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. The Marischal Museum houses the University's collections of fine art, Scottish history and archaeological finds. Music, film and theatre are all catered for and there is something for everyone's taste. One of the city's prized 'claims to fame' is the number and variety of parks, gardens and open spaces to be found in the city. Aberdeen is a frequent winner of the various UK town and city awards for the, 'best in bloom'.

Just to put the icing on the Aberdeen 'cake' is its location along the river and on the coast. It has a beautiful long, sandy beach, wide promenade and sand dunes going in one direction and, in the other, rocky cliffs rising from small shingle beaches. The city hustle and bustle is pushed into the background as you take a walk alongside the Rivers Dee and Don. Strollling around the city there are many buildings of historical or architectural interest to investigate; and, of course, the busy harbour with its constantly changing panorama of ships.

Aberdeen is linked to all major cities and locations in both England and Scotland by road and rail and the busy airport has regular flights to Ireland and parts of Scandinavia and Europe