Places to Visit - In and Around Aberdeen.       Aberdeen University - Kings College Kings College, with its famous crown on the tower, is where the University of Aberdeen was founded in the 15th century. There is a visitors' centre which tells the story of the university and a gift shop. Marischal College and Museum Marischal College is the second biggest granite building in the world right in the centre of Aberdeen. Sadly in need of some cleaning and refurbishment, which should come as it is converted into Aberdeen City Council headquarters, it is still quite amazing as an example of intricate detail in granite. Within Marischal College is Marischal Museum which is open Mon-Fri 10am to 5pm and Sun 2pm - 5pm. Exhibits include "Encyclopaedia of the North East" and "Collecting from the World". Admission is free.  Old Aberdeen No visit to Aberdeen would be complete without a trip to Old Aberdeen, on the North side of the city. High Street begins with Kings College and its magnificent crowned tower, where Aberdeen University was founded by Bishop Elphinstone in the 15th century. The full story is presented in the Kings College Visitor Centre exhibition. From there walk down the cobbled street to the Old Town House, from there take the Chanonry to St Machar Cathedral (see below). In daytime, head north through the park or the riverside walk to the ancient Brig o'Balgownie and the delightful little cluster of houses and cottages around it. St Machar's Cathedral  There has been a church on the site of St Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, since 580AD. St Machar's Cathedral is know for its unusual twin spires of castle-like fortified appearance. Provost Skene's House  One of the oldest and most historic houses in the heart of Aberdeen. Aberdeen Art Gallery  Details of shows and exhibitions at Aberdeen City Council's website. Aberdeen Art Galleries and Museums His Majesty's Theatre William Wallace statue and His Majesty's Theatre in the centre of Aberdeen. Aberdeen Harbour  Hub of the North Sea oil industry and ferry port for the Northern Isles. For safety and security, most of the quayside is fenced off, but you can watch the vessels come and go from the quayside at Footdee or the Torry Gun Battery on the south side. The new Marine Operations Centre on the north breakwater replaces the distinctive Roundhouse which has served as harbour control for more than 200 years. The design of the £4.5 million centre exhibits nautical themes with a design that suggests a traditional Scottish lighthouse support a ship's bow and bridge. Aberdeen Maritime Museum  First class museum of the sea including the fishing, shipbuilding and offshore oil industries. Aberdeen Tolbooth Museum  A small but fascinating museum in the old Tolbooth, at the east end of the Town House, nearest Castle Street. The old town hall and jail is incorporated behind the facade of Aberdeen's Town House and is now a museum. Pictured here you can see the tower with the "Mannie in the Green" old town water supply in the foreground. For many years there was a square of cobble stones in the road just outside the Tollbooth, which marked the site of the last public hanging in Aberdeen. The gallows faced the ancient "flyover" (yes the old stone bridge has been replaced with a wider concrete one to cross the dual carriageway!) from Castle Street, down Marischal Street to the Harbour. Hence the old expression in Aberdeen for anyone who has done something wrong: "You'll end up looking doon Marischal Street!". Aberdeen Winter Gardens  The David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park are one of Europe’s largest indoor gardens and Scotland’s third most visited gardens.It boasts a beautiful floral paradise all year round with many rare and exotic plants on show from all around the world. Come and visit the Temperate House, Corridor of Perfumes, Fern House, Victorian Corridor, Japanese Garden, Tropical House and Arid House, which has one of the largest collections of Cacti and Succulents in Britain. Gardens are open daily from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30pm November to March. There are toilets, a restaurant and Car Park facilities.   Admission is Free. Gordon Highlanders Museum  An insight into the history of one of the British Army's most famous regiments. Out and About Aberdeen -   Balmoral Castle   Royal Deeside – Balmoral the Royal Family's castle on Deeside, on the A93 west of Ballater.   Cairngorm National Park  Ski and winter sports during the winter weather and mountain experience during the summer. There is a chairlift from the car park to the Ptarmigan restaurant near the summit and the funicular railway.   Crathes Castle and Gardens  Between Aberdeen and Banchory on the A93 Braemar road, Crathes Castle is one of the "must do" visits in the North East. In addition to the castle a stroll in the gardens is inspirational. Dunnottar Castle On the coast south of Stonehaven, Dunnottar Castle is an impressive ruined fortress of the 12th Century, famed as the hiding place for the Scottish Crown Jewels and more recently the setting of Zefferelli's "Hamlet". Duff House  Near Banff, Duff House is a magnificent country house designed by the architect William Adam and built between 1735 and 1740, Duff house contains masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland. the furniture includes pieces by Chippendale and the paintings include one by El Greco. Glenfiddich Distillery  Glenfiddich is the famous malt whisky distillery in Dufftown. Glenfiddich is open from early January to mid December.