Aberdeen is a city on the east coast of Scotland in the region of Grampian. Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city, granite-built (nicknamed 'The Granite City') it lies on the estuaries of the rivers Dee and Don. For years it was dependant on ship-building and fishing, the city's prosperity since the 1970s has been linked with oil and gas from the North Sea.
Aberdeen's City charters date back to 1179 when it was already becoming a major trading centre. Today, outlying Old Aberdeen, united with Aberdeen in 1891, still shows the mediaeval street layout. At its heart lies the Cathedral of St Machar, an early granite building, with a twin-towered west front and wooden naveceiling. Near by is King's College Chapel built in 1495, an admirable early University edifice.