Our last blog was about history and heritage, inspired by the fact that we’re coming to the end of 2017, the Scottish Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Even if you have lived here for most or all your life, then, a bit like me, I suspect that you probably don’t know all the things that are available on your doorstep. But for those contemplating a career move to Aberdeen, we’re well aware that, especially if they currently live south of the border, there will be some concerns about what life is actually like up here in the north-east of Scotland. With today’s emphasis on healthy lifestyles (yes, you can buy quinoa and spelt bread in the shops here), many people like to go to the gym or get out and about in the countryside.
If that’s you, then, as well as the Stone Circles we brought you last time, you can also enjoy one of the most beautiful, scenic coastlines in the United Kingdom. It’s possibly a result of the association with the oil industry and all the supply vessels constantly coming and going from Aberdeen Harbour, but most people don’t think of Aberdeenshire as having a lovely coast. Yet it is very pretty indeed. So much so, that National Geographic magazine has rated parts of our coastline as amongst the most scenic in the world!
Aberdeenshire Council has created a 165 mile long Coastal Path, which, having been along various bits of it during my time here, I can vouch for as being just as described by National Geographic. There are stunning beaches (great for the kids), dramatic headlands, picturesque harbours and little ports, the opportunity to go dolphin and whale spotting and, for those brave enough, a splendid open-air swimming pool at Stonehaven, just south of Aberdeen(I particularly like their slogan – “cool when it’s hot, fun when it’s not”).
Time for some (more) exercise?
Julie Skinner, Resourcing & Benefit Specialist
Email: j.skinner@rgu.ac.uk