Car Rental Aberdeen

A North Sea city with a mystical aura, Aberdeen is a patchwork of silvery architecture and lush green land. Driving around town is easy, since a network of wide, open roads curve through the city centre.

If you’re arriving at Aberdeen International Airport, take the Great Northern Road (A96) south into the city. You’ll pass enchanting Old Aberdeen and the University of Aberdeen before emerging in the business district.

In between business headquarters, you’ll find shopping malls, museums and cultural centres. The Aberdeen Science Centre is a favourite for families, while Rosemont Viaduct is lined with cultural treats, including Belmont Filmhouse and His Majesty’s Theatre.

Aberdeen Harbour is a magnet for brilliant museums and it’s also possible to take a cruise on the shimmering waves.

Union Street is another important part of the city, where you’ll find central bustle and lively casinos, plus the quaint beauty of Union Terrace Gardens. Aberdeen’s coastline is a golf-lover’s dream: there are courses stretching north and south where you can play a round above panoramic views of the ocean.

Some of Scotland’s most scenic routes are just a short drive from Aberdeen. The Angus Coastal Route stretches south towards Dundee. Take this breathtaking route to pass through charming towns, nature reserves and the far-flung Grampian Mountains. You’ll even see the spellbinding Dunnottar Castle fortifying the Aberdeenshire coastline.

Northern Scotland is the United Kingdom’s unspoiled jewel in its crown, and the Highlands and national parks are suitably impressive. Take the A944 west from Aberdeen to snake into the heart of the Cairngorms – a vast and beautiful landscape where lochs frame the Monadhliath Mountains.

Driving in the United Kingdom is a pleasure, from picturesque country lanes to following an easy-to-navigate, advanced freeway – or motorway – system on the larger roads. The national speed limit on motorways and two-lane divided highways – known as dual carriageways – is 70 mph (112km/h), dropping to 30mph (48km/h) inside cities. Look out for the signposts, which clearly display limits.

Intrepid explorers should check for always weather warnings before journeying into the Scottish Highlands.

This corner of northern Scotland is known as the booming centre of North Sea oil, but its history and character are much older than the industrial harbour. Step into a city of silver-grey charm to hear its ancient story.

Perfectly positioned for combining a romantic city break with adventures in rural Scotland, Aberdeen is a dream destination on Britain’s frontiers. 

Scotland’s fairy-tale castles

Thousands of castles have graced this country over the centuries, and many glistening turrets still remain. From the magical, fictional stories of Harry Potter to real-life tales of conquest, rank and battle, Scotland’s castles are intriguing and formidable.

Bring tales of princes and princesses into the present era at regal Balmoral, the summer estate of Queen Elizabeth II.

This princely construction is open to the public for several months each spring. You can see stately exhibitions exploring the secrets of the Cairngorm Mountains, go salmon fishing or take a safari tour into the estate’s wildest corners.

Closer to the city, the stunning ruins of Dunnottar Castle make the ideal spot for more laid-back exploration. Set on the rocky crags of the magnificent Aberdeenshire sunshine, this fort dates back to the third century and has been attacked and rebuilt many times.

A romantic clifftop stroll makes a great stop on a grand tour of the beautiful Aberdeenshire coastline, from grassy Balmedie beach to the Georgian estates at Macduff.

Granite-clad history and culture

Aberdeen city centre is filled with fantastic museums and theatres – and many are free of charge thanks to a UK policy dating back to 2000.

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum is a local favourite, showcasing the city’s history through its integral relationship with the sea. Interactive displays take you on a journey through shipbuilding, fishing and sailing heritage. The building itself is almost five hundred years old and offers spectacular views of the energetic harbour.

The Aberdeen Art Gallery is another must-visit location, where local works are celebrated and regular seminars share knowledge with the community. If you’re in the city for business or enjoying an action-packed itinerary, drop into a lunch break concert to experience a quick burst of local music.

Caper in the Cairngorms

The Cairngorms are a mountain range, national park and vast wilderness stretching west of Aberdeen and up to the Scottish Highlands. This is the perfect place to escape the city for a picturesque drive or more adventurous exploits.

Go boating on Loch Morlich, see the craggy spectre of the Monadhliath Mountains or visit charming watermills in the magnificent landscape. Drive in the southern foothills to pass many a quaint whiskey distillery, some dating back hundreds of years.

The Highland Folk Museum is a fascinating window into how people have interacted with the landscape over the ages. This open-air exhibition centre is the first of its kind in Britain, showcasing a 19^th-century township plus more than 12,000 artifacts.

Experience Scottish culture

Scotland has its own unique personality, dialects and customs. From Burns Night celebrations to the Scottish Open golf tournament and the Highland Games, some things can only be experienced in Scotland.

They say the best way to a city’s soul is through its food, and nowhere is this truer than in Aberdeen. You’ll find all the Scottish staples like shortbread and haggis, plus local delicacies to sample too.

Aberdeen Angus Beef is native to these parts of Scotland, so there are plenty of local steakhouses. Start with Cullen Skink – a traditional Scottish haddock, potato and onion soup – for the full Aberdeenshire experience.

The Aberdeen Roll or Buttery is a traditional Scottish bake, served with sweet preserves and fresh local butter. Aberdeen loves to create quirky twists on international dishes, including the delicious macaroni pie, a popular late-night supper.

From unusual food to distant castles, a Scottish vacation comes with great potential. Rent a car in Aberdeen to unlock the true glory of northern Scotland.