Living And Working In Aberdeen

Aberdeen is situated on the north east coast of Scotland adjacent to the north sea and is Scotland's third largest city. Aberdeen’s train station is the busiest in Scotland, north of the major cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh and is well connected by road. It also has its own international airport which caters for several million passengers per annum.

As with much of Scotland, Aberdeen has weaved a rich tapestry of history and this is evident as you admire the beautiful architecture that has been constructed through the ages, some even dating from medieval times. While we are on the subject of construction, one of the most notable aspects of Aberdeen is that the buildings seem to sparkle. This is due to locally quarried and highly durable granite which is considered the best in the world and has a high mica content, being incorporated in the creation of many of the buildings.

Aberdeen has long been a vital hub of trade, industry and innovation. Archaeological evidence shows that the Aberdeen area has been inhabited for over 8,000 years with early settlers being drawn to the region because of its access to rivers, the North Sea and fertile lands. Aberdeen earned its name of Granite City in the 18th and 19th centuries and the granite was famously used to build parts of London, including Waterloo Bridge and Trafalgar Square. It was during this time that Aberdeen became a centre for ship building, textiles and fishing. The port became one of the busiest in Scotland, facilitating trade and commerce with the Baltic states, Europe and America. The most significant transformation in modern history occurred in the 1970s with the discovery of North Sea oil. The city rapidly became the centre of the European oil industry and the oil boom brought immense wealth and population growth to Aberdeen. The harbour also expanded to accommodate the oil industry, making it one of the most important ports for offshore oil in the world.

The economy of Aberdeen continues to be shaped by its historical ties to the gas and oil industries while undergoing significant diversification especially in areas of renewable energy, technology and life sciences.

The gas and oil sector remains a cornerstone of the local economy and the North Sea oil fields continue to be productive although production has declined compared to previous decades. The region is now focusing on maximising the efficiency of existing oil fields and decommissioning aging infrastructure. Many of Aberdeen’s traditional gas and oil companies are heavily investing in energy transition initiatives, exploring cleaner technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage and hydrogen energy. This has allowed Aberdeen to position itself as a leader in decarbonisation and innovation within the energy sector.

Aberdeen has become a major hub for offshore wind energy and projects have helped the city build expertise in offshore wind technologies, making it an important centre for renewable energy development. The city has been pioneering the use of hydrogen energy with several hydrogen production and storage projects underway. The city’s investment in hydrogen powered public transport such as hydrogen fuelled buses and infrastructure is part of a broader push to create a low carbon economy.

Aberdeen is emerging as a tech hub with growth in industries such as software development, data analytics and artificial intelligence. The city’s strong educational institutions  like the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University are producing skilled graduates and fostering innovation in these areas.

The port of Aberdeen, one of the oldest and busiest in the UK, completed a major expansion in recent years, allowing it to handle larger ships and expand its capacity for goods and services. The port supports a thriving maritime sector, including ship building, maintenance and offshore logistics, also tying in with the energy sector.

Aberdeen has a growing life sciences sector which focuses on health care, biotechnology and medical research and the city’s universities and research centres collaborate with industry partners to develop innovative healthcare solutions, with particular strengths in medical imaging, drug development and diagnostics.

The rural areas surrounding the city support a significant agricultural economy, producing livestock, cereals and other crops. The city is home to several agri tech firms which are pioneering technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability in food production. Aberdeen is especially known for high quality beef, whisky and seafood.

Union Street is at the heart of Aberdeen’s shopping scene and stretches over a mile long! Several shopping centres and popular streets as well as markets provide a diverse and enjoyable shopping experience. Each winter, Aberdeen transforms part of the city into a festive Christmas village, featuring gift shops, stalls and markets showcasing local crafts, handmade goods and seasonal decorations!

Stunning beaches and idyllic fishing villages where you can indulge in dolphin and seal spotting from the tops of volcanic cliffs as well as Aberdeen's proximity to other natural attractions such as Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms National Park, understandably attract increasing amounts of visitors to the area. Interestingly, due to the latitude of north east Scotland, it is not unusual to witness the spectacular Northern Lights colourful display especially in winter.

The next event being hosted by the UK Careers Fair will be held on October 16th between 10am - 2pm. The venue is Pittodrie Stadium, AB24 5QH which has been the home ground of the Scottish Professional Football League,  Aberdeen F.C. since they were formed in 1903.