Treasure dazzling Aberdeen, where the handsome granite buildings literally sparkle due to the prominence of mica in the locally quarried stone. As you explore the compact Old Town, admire the ornate spires of the 1837 Marischal College and pause at the 17th-century Mercat Cross, which is adorned with ten medallions symbolizing the Stuart monarchs. In marvelous St. Machar’s Cathedral, gaze at the timbered ceiling to appreciate the colorful heraldic symbols and, in fascinating Provost Skene’s House, wander medieval rooms appointed with period pieces. Further afield, numerous fairytale castles dot the landscape, including the British royal family’s exquisite Balmoral Castle.
