Aberdeen Carlisle Train

The city of Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, behind Edinburgh and Glasgow. Aberdeen has a long sandy beach between the two rivers, the Dee and the Don, which turns into high sand dunes north of the Don stretching as far as Fraserburgh. To the south of the Dee are steep rocky cliff faces with only minor pebble and shingle beaches in deep inlets. A number of granite outcrops along the south coast have been quarried in the past, making for spectacular scenery and good rock-climbing.

The city is sometimes known as the Granite City, the Grey City and the Silver City with the Golden Sands. These are all reference to the local quarried grey granite incorporated into Aberdeen's buildings. The discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970's it has also been known as the Oil Capital of Europe. The traditional industries of fishing, paper-making, shipbuilding, and textiles have been overtaken by the oil industry and Aberdeen's seaport. Aberdeen Heliport is one of the busiest commercial heliports in the world and the seaport is the largest in the north-east of Scotland. North Sea oil production has declined from its peak but the industry still supports around 47,000 jobs locally.

The city of Carlisle is ideally located between Scotland and the Lake District, and both within easy reach. It is situated on the path of Hadrian's Wall, Carlisle is a vibrant, cultured city and with direct rail links to the West Coast Main Line and M6 motorway, the city is an attractive base for visitors. Carlisle Castle is a great medieval fortress that has watched over the city for nearly a thousand years. The Castle is also home to the Border Regiment Museum which relates the history of Cumbria’s County Infantry Regiment, the Border Regiment and the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment and local Militia. Bothergate, the original southern entrance to the City, was replaced in the 16th century, and then again in the 19th century, with two new towers known as the Citadel. This was designed by Thomas Telford and Sir Robert Smirke, who also designed the bridge over the River Eden, as assize courts and a prison. The West Tower is now open to the public. Carlisle Great Fair is held in late August each year. It was originally established in 1353, and now runs as a sort of mini ‘Edinburgh Festival’.