official guide - nestrans
TRANSCRIPT
OFFICIAL GUIDE
ACE Winches is a global specialist in the design,
manufacture and hire of hydraulic winches and
deck machinery for the offshore oil and gas,
marine and renewable energy markets.
We deliver exceptional service and performance for our clients in the world’s harshest operating environments and we always endeavour to exceed our clients’ expectations while maintaining our excellent record of quality and safety.
ACE Hire Equipment offers a comprehensive range of winch and deck machinery equipment for use on floating vessels, offshore installations and land-based projects.
ACE Manufacturing provides turnkey solutions with a proven track record in the design, manufacture, testing and installation of standard and bespoke winches and deck machinery.
ACE Hire Personnel provides multi-disciplined personnel qualified to travel, commission and operate our complete range of deck and platform equipment worldwide.
Montbletton, Banff, Aberdeenshire AB45 3QJ, UKTel: +44 (0)1261 [email protected] www.ace-winches.co.uk
The Deck Machinery Specialists:
Engineering design & project management
All sizes of winches for sale & hire
Bespoke manufacturing solutions available
Specialist offshore personnel hire
Hydraulic sales & service
Spooling winch hire
750 tonne winch test bed facility
Wire rope & umbilical spooling facility
For winches and deck machinery
torque to the experts
Our Services
Belmar offer a complete engineering service to BS EN ISO 9001(2000)
and ISO 14001(2004).
Please visit our website for detailed pages of machining capacities,
inspection and gauges below:
Milling Section. Turning Section. Machine shop support.
Quality Assurance. Weld cladding equipment.
Engineering Services Ltd
Belmar Engineering is one of the most advanced sub contract precision
engineering workshops servicing the Oil and Gas industries in the North
Sea and world-wide.
An imaginative and on-going programme of reinvestment in computer
based technology has meant that Belmar Engineering work at the very
frontiers of technology.
We are quite simply the most precise of precision engineering companies.
About us
Belmar Engineering was formed in
1975 by two young Scottish
Engineers to support the emerging
North Sea Oil & Gas Industry and
offered a fast and personal response
in steel fabrication and basic
machining.
The company has expanded some
50 times since then and has
developed into one of the most
advanced engineering facilities in
Scotland.
Our people
One third of our workforce have
more than 20 years experience
within Belmar and as a result know
our customers’ requirements.
Working as a team results in a
smooth and professional attitude to
the job ensuring products are manu-
factured quickly and to specification.
Based in Aberdeen in Europe's Oil
capital we deliver to every corner of
the globe.
Abbotswell Road, West Tullos, Aberdeen AB12 3AJ t: +44 (0) 1224 875038 f: +44 (0) 1224 879125 e: [email protected] www.belmar.co.uk
How we operate
Belmar offers a comprehensive service from assisting our customers designers and procurement personnel, working closely with their engineers, to manufacturing components and strings of tools to exacting tolerances and specifications 24 hours a dayseven days per week. Design changes and modifications are treated as priority ensuring a speedy throughput of components.
BALMORALOFFSHORE ENGINEERINGBuoyancy, insulation and elastomer products
balmoraloffshore.comT +44 (0)1224 859000
With a clear vision and a commitment to complete customer satisfaction, we have fine-tunedour product range to provide you with technologically refined market-leading solutions.
When you simply must talk to someone that shares your passion your energy, call thecompany that is rooted in continuous improvement. We talk the same language, after all.
Bend restrictors
Bend stiffeners
Cable trays, clamps, saddles, centralisers and spacers
Distributed buoyancy
DurafloatTM marine drilling riser buoyancy
DuraguardTM cable and flowline protection
FlexlinkTM umbilical buoyancy
Modular buoyancy
Pin-end protection
ROV/AUV buoyancy
Subsurface buoyancy
Surface buoyancy
Thermal insulation buoyancy
Umbilical floats
BALMORAL COMTEC
BALMORAL TANKSOur products mean business
balmoraltanks.comT +44 (0)1224 859000
With acknowledged R&D, design and rotomoulding expertise Balmoral Tanksprovides what is believed to be the widest range of tanks and treatment plantavailable from a single source in the EU.
Wastewater treatment plantWater storage tanksRainwater harvesting systemsFuel oil storageIntegrated fuelling stationsBulk liquid storageGRP/steel sectional water storage tanksIndustrial moulding
Click on www.balmoraltanks.com for the full story.
Balmoral Tanks
3020598
01
KeyMilestones2001 – Hammerson acquire Railtrack Developments and thereby 50% of Union Square Developments Ltd
2006 - Hammerson acquire the other 50% of Union Square Developments from Multiplex and thereby 100% ownership of the Union Square scheme
2007 – Union Square Developments Ltd start on site with the construction of the new bus station, and the new Craiginches and Raiths Farm Rail Yards are completed
February 2008 – Bus station handed over to Stagecoach
June 2008 – New travel centre handed over to First Scotrail
July 2008 – Work on the roof commences
September 2008 - Completion of structural steelwork
November 2008 - Development is now completely weather-tight
April 2009 – Hotel shell handed over to Jurys Inn for fit out
May 2009 - Cinema shell handed over to Cineworld for fit out and commencement of unit handovers
Autumn 2009 – Grand opening!
Time LineHammerson’s Union Square development is the newest and largest leisure and retail destination in the North East of Scotland. Some nine years in planning and development, the centre is a key part of the regeneration of Aberdeen city centre and offers a huge selection of places to eat, work and play all under one roof.
Shopping park
Atrium area showing rail station facade
Union Square, Aberdeen’s largest retail and leisure retreat is a new landmark in the Granite City and a fantastic tourist destination. Built on the site of a former freightliner terminal which closed in the late 1950s, the area has been transformed into a great place to start and end any stay in the city.
Steeped in Aberdeen’s Rail history the impressive 700,000 sq ft Union Square shopping development is the first of its kind to open in the city in two decades, and a welcome addition to Aberdeen’s thriving cosmopolitan culture.
Perched between Aberdeen’s upgraded train station and new bus station, Union Square is the perfect leisure get-away. And with 1,700 car parking spaces, Union Square is equally accessible for those who want to take a few hours out of their day and enjoy a coffee break or some retail therapy.
Union Square is home to some of the high street’s most popular retailers, such as M&S, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, H&M and Next, as well as new namesto Aberdeen such as Apple, Zara andBestseller - with brands Jack & Jones, Vero Moda, Cult, Mamas & Papas and Instyle Furniture.
Penny Godfrey, Marketing Manager at Union Square said, “The retail offering makes Union Square hard to resist. With new brands to Aberdeen and late night shopping, it’s definitely put the buzz back into retail therapy.”
Mixing business with pleasure, Union Square customers can take advantage of the new 3 star plus Jurys Inn Hotel. As well as 203 bedrooms and a restaurant and bar, the hotel boasts excellent conference facilities, making it a great place to hold meetings and get clients talking.
Penny continued, “There really is something for everyone at Union Square, with places to eat, shop, relax and while away the hours or get down to business.”
Avid cinema-goers can take advantage of the city’s largest,
.dlroweniC ;amenic neercsitlumPenny said, “People can literally step straight off the train, the bus or the adjoining car parks, into the development and catch the latest blockbuster. The transport links make Union Square the perfect place to meet friends or business colleagues. Union Square is a way of life which has opened up many opportunities for Aberdeen City and Shire.”
Some of the delicious eateries on offer include well-known Italian restaurant ASK, the Peri-Peri chicken specialists Nando’s, plus popular Mexican eatery Chiquito’s and the 1950s inspired American diner Frankie & Benny’s. So, whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a laid-back night out with friends, there is ample selection to whet the appetite.
Making up the Union Square family and helping run the fantastic eateries,
retail outlets and leisure facilities, are over 1,000 local people who have secured jobs through Union Square’s Jobs for U programme. Jobs for U is the dedicated training and employment scheme set up to help get local people into a varied and exciting range of jobs at Union Square.
“Union Square is an integral part of Aberdeen’s city-centre landscape,” Penny concluded. “As one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes of its kind in Scotland, it offers a vibrant blend of retail and leisure facilities, making it the destination of choice for people from Aberdeen City, the Shire and beyond.”
For more information on Union Square and all that is has to offer visit:www.unionsquareaberdeen.com
From Rail to Retail, Union Square adds sparkle to the Granite City
3021243
Nexen is a Canadian-based oil and gas company with global operations.We are uniquely positioned for growth in the North Sea, Western Canada (including the Athabasca oil sands of Alberta and unconventional gas resource plays such as coalbed methane and shale gas), deep-water Gulf of Mexico, offshore West Africa and the Middle East.
As the UK’s third largest producer of North Sea oil, we remain committed to the North Sea and to sustaining and growing resources worldwide.
www.nexeninc.com
UO
S
Published by: Burrows Communications Limited
Head Office: Publicity House, 106 Stafford Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 9AYTel: 020 8773 3000 • Fax: 020 8773 8888Email: [email protected]: www.burrows.co.uk
Our Advertisers:We gratefully acknowledge the support of all the firms whose advertisements appear in these pages. Without their help we would not be able to produce this guide. As a reciprocalgesture we have pleasure in drawing theattention of our readers to theirannouncements, but wish to make it clear that Aberdeen City Council and AberdeenshireCouncil can accept no responsibility for theirproducts or services advertised.
OFFICIAL GUIDE
First thing to remember,
we were here second.
Protecting the environment is a big part
of how we develop energy. So while we
help meet the world’s growing energy
demands, we never lose sight of our
natural resources. With some of the
industry’s highest environmental
standards, we’re using our human energy
to create a better future for us all.
To learn more, visit us at chevron.com.
CHEVRON, the CHEVRON HALLMARK and HUMAN ENERGY are registered trademarks of Chevron Intellectual Property LLC.©2009 Chevron Corporation. All rights reserved.
07
CONTENTS
TRANSPORT
WELCOME
BUSINESS
REGENERATION
EDUCATION
BUSINESS TOURISM
LEISURE TOURISM
Welcome to Aberdeen City and Shire 11
Aberdeen City and Shire Connectivity 13The North East of Scotland Transport Partnership (NESTRANS) 14By Road 16By Rail 17By Air 18By Sea 20
Introduction 25Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce 26Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF) 28Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) 30The Energy Industry 31The Life Sciences Industry 32The Food & Drink Industry 33The Tourism Industry 34
Introduction 37The University of Aberdeen 38Retail & Lifestyle 39Westhill Business Park 40Energetica 41
Introduction 47The University of Aberdeen 48Robert Gordon University 50
Introduction 61Aberdeen Convention Bureau 63Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre (AECC) 64
Introduction 67Eating Out 68Aberdeen City and Shire Attractions 70What’s On 72Retail 74
With over 25 years experience
supporting the oil and gas industry,
SKF target maintenance and condition
monitoring at equipment that
represents the greatest commercial
risk. Focusing the RIGHT effort on the
RIGHT equipment ensures maximum
return on investment for our
customers. Using our engineering
expertise, SKF identify root causes of
recurring faults and provide long-term
solutions from our 5 platform portfolio.
SealsBearings
and Units
Lubrication
Systems
Mechatronics Services
delivering profit through reliability
SKF ABERDEEN Division, Wellheads Road
Farburn Industrial Estate, Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 7HG
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 723321 Fax: +44 (0) 1224 723341
Jim MarnochBusiness Director
“ “Our aim is quite simple; to make our
customers more money by maximising
availability and reliability of their plant. �
Our extended portfolio and ability to
access over 100 years of SKF Group
knowledge allows us to deliver the
complete reliability solution.
River Dee
River Don
A920
A97
A947
A920
A950
A98
1
A948
A97
A944
A939
A947
A944
A980
A957
A93
7
A975
A97
A90
A96
A90
A90
A96
A90
A90A
93
A93 A93
A92
A98
A952
MORAY
ANGUS
Kinnaird Head
Huntly
Ellon
Banff
Inverbervie
Stonehaven
Banchory
Kintore
Inverurie
Alford
Laurencekirk
Aboyne
Portsoy
Braemar
Aberchirder
Turriff Mintlaw
Dyce
Oldmeldrum
Peterhead
Fraserburgh
Aberdeen
HIGHLAND
PERTH & KINROSS
Aberdeenshire
T
T
T T
LEMON ST
CONSTITUTION ST
WALES ST
BEACH
JASMINE TERR
LIN
DUFF ST
LITTLEJO
HN
ROSLIN TERR
SUMMERFIELDTERR
ST
KIN
G S
T
HUTCHEON ST
VIRGINIA ST
GUILD ST
MARK
ET STREET
SPRINGBANK TERR
UNION STREET
ALB
ER
T STRE
ET
WILLOWBANK ROAD
HO
LBU
RN
ST
CO
LL
EG
E S
TRE
ET
A956
A956
A9013
A9013
A956
A956
A956
A956
A93
A93
A9013
A978
A978
A93
A96
A96
EAST NORTH ST
WEST N
OR
TH ST
FREDERICK ST
STR
EE
T
BO
N
GA
TE
UNION GLEN
JUSTICE
DEE PL
LANGSTANE PL
GO
RD
ON
ST
DE
E S
TRE
ET
CR
OW
N TE
RR
CR
OW
N S
T
PA
LM
E
ROAD
POYNERNOOK ROAD
STELL ROAD
RAIK RD
UNION ROW
SU
MM
ER
ST
SKENE TERR
UPPER
LOA
NH
EA
D TE
RR
VIEW
TER
RRICH
MON
D TERR
MO
UN
T ST
FORB
ES ST
HILL ST
MAB
AN
N ST
GEO
RG
E ST GERRARD ST
SPRING GARDEN
CHARLOTTE ST
ST
JOHN
ST ANDREW ST
JOPP’S LAN
ELO
CH
ST
QUEEN S
T
BROAD ST
MAR
KET ST SHIP
NBU
RN ROAD
BL
AC
KF
RIA
RS
ST
EXCHANGE
STIRLING
LIT
E
HAR
RIET ST
SCHOOLHILL
BELM
ON
T ST
BA
CK
WYN
D
FLOURMILL LN
SHORE LA
MARSCHAL ST
JAMES ST
WATER
LN
NORTH ESPLA-
CLY
DE
ST
CASTLE HILL
CO
MM
ER
CE
ST
RE
GE
NT
RD
BALKIE’S QUAY
HAN
OV
STLE
SUGARHOUSE
FARMERS
ST
WILLOWDALE PL
GA
LLOW
GATE
SE
AM
OU
NT
RD
FAR
RIE
R
RICHMOND ST
LEAD ROAD
SHORT LOANINGS
BELGRAV
E TE
RR
WHITEHALL PLACE
ON
D ST
WEST MOUNT
DENBURN
GROSVENOR PL
CH
AP
EL
STTH
ISTLE
THISTLE ST
ON PL
NORTH
SILVER
VICTOR
IA ST
WAVERLEY LNALBERT TERR
RUBISLAW TERR
RO
SE STR
EE
T
ESSLE
AVE
PLACE
ROSEMOUNT
SKENE ST
WA
TS
ON
ST
SOUTH MOUN
T ST
ROSEMOUNTVIADUCT
SKENE SQ
B9119
B985
B985
B985
B986
B986
B983UNION TERR
BR
IDG
E ST
SPRINGBANK ST
ROSEBANK TERR
BO
N AC
CO
RD
ST
Hospital
School
PO
Museum
Mkt
Bus Station
TheMall
Bon Accord & St NicholasCentres
The Acad-emy
UnionSquare
RailwayStation
Upper Dock
Fish Market
PoliceStation
Victoria Dock
Albert Quay
VictoriaBridge
Cath
GovtOffs
GovtOffs
YMCA
Art Gallery
Theatre
Library
Music Hall
College
University
PO
PO
College
Hospital
Arts Centre
PoliceHQCouncil
Off
Cathedral
PO
Academy
School
School
School
Hospital
i
SIDE
MO
NT
LN
LNMILL
HA
RD
ST
HALL
LY ER ST
ST
ST CLAIR
LA
PRINCES
PL
ROS
PA
RK
BOULEVARD
TERR
ER ST
CA
LA
ST
RO
W
STST
Harbour Office
Ferry Terminal
NADE EAST
RS
TON
DE
CRIM
ST DIAM
ACCORD CRES
CITY CENTRECITY CENTRE
T
Information Kiosk
Taxi Rank
Tourist Board Shopi
School
Tollbooth
Map
s B
ased
upo
n th
e O
rdna
nce
Sur
vey
map
ping
with
the
per
mis
sion
of
The
Con
trol
ler
of H
er M
ajes
ty’s
Sta
tione
ry O
ffic
e ©
Cro
wn
Cop
yrig
ht43
382U
. Thi
s m
ap is
sub
ject
to
Cop
yrig
ht a
nd is
pro
tect
ed b
y di
gita
l fin
gerp
rint.
Cop
ying
or
repr
oduc
tion
in p
art
or in
ful
l is
proh
ibite
d w
ithou
tth
e pr
ior
writ
ten
cons
ent
of B
urro
ws
Com
mun
icat
ions
Ltd
. All
right
s re
serv
ed B
urro
ws
Com
mun
icat
ions
200
9.
& S
Morrison Vehicle RentalsMorrison Vehicle Rentals
City & Shire Asset FinanceCity & Shire Asset Finance
CAR AND VAN HIRE. DAILY AND SHORT TERM4x4 Double Cab Pickups available
(t) 01888 562 069 (e) [email protected]
Douglas Shand (M) 07971 212115 (e) doug@c&s.co.uk Graham Fraser (M) 07802 688431 (e) graham@c&s.co.uk
City and Shire Asset Finance is an ever expanding Finance broker
based in the heart of Aberdeenshire.
Doug Shand and Graham Fraser have over 40 years’ collective experience in the Commercial, Motor and Agricultural Asset Finance market.
Those 40 years have primarily been working with major UK banks, finance houses and manufacturer finance companies. That experience has taught us that no one finance company can offer a complete financial solution to meet the needs of a client; City and Shire can offer that solution.
City and Shire Asset Finance can call on a number of the UK and Europe’s leading finance houses and banks for funding. We can offer a total finance package, sourcing the most competitive funding for your business.
Our mission is to provide world class customer service and we work tirelessly to satisfy our clients every financial requirement, from the straight forward to the most complex financial packages.
PRESTIGE, FAMILY and 4x4 SPECIALIST
01888 562 069
Sales 01888 562069 [email protected] 01888 563110 [email protected]
Greengates, Banff Road, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 5TA
Opening HoursMonday - Thursday: 08:00 - 19:00 Friday: 08:00 - 18:00Saturday: 08:00 - 17:00 Sunday:12:00 - 17:00
Our range of services means that we offer the complete
experience. From vehicle sales to servicing we also offer
competitive insurance quotes and financing options,
everything you need to get behind the driving wheel of the
quality used or nearly new car of your choice today.
We’ve been offering great deals on cars in the North East
of Scotland for more than 25 years and we strive to provide
excellent service to all our customers.
We’ve got a fantastic choice of quality used cars and nearly new
cars across a range of brands to make motoring more affordable
throughout North East Scotland and the Aberdeen area.
With hundreds of vehicles in stock, our selection of quality
used cars also includes Volkswagen, Ford and Vauxhall cars
at low prices. We are specialists in 4x4 and prestige vehicles,
offering a highly desirable selection of cars including used
Mercedes Benz.
Greengates, Banff Road, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, AB53 5TA
11
The area is steeped in richhistory reaching backthousands of years, with a true spirit of resilience
and entrepreneurialism, whichprovided the legacy for the successof the region.
The discovery of North Sea oilplaced Aberdeen firmly on theinternational map and prompted an influx of skills and businesses to the area. Our diverse range of businesses reflects theentrepreneurial spirit of AberdeenCity and Shire and includes energy,food production, life sciences,tourism, fishing and agriculture.
Aberdeen City and Shire hassomething to offer everyone – from salmon fishing in the Dee and Don, to Royal retreats atBalmoral, skiing, strolling alongsandy beaches and sailing alongthe stunning coastline. The famouscastle trail attracts visitors from allover the world.
We are extremely fortunate to have excellent transport links and an international airport, whichmeans the region is as easy toaccess as any major city in the UK.
Aberdeen city has an array ofbeautiful parks which helped it winseveral ‘In Bloom’ titles, a wide
selection of sports and recreationalfacilities, busy shopping malls and a vibrant arts & culture scene. Thecity is a renowned business, leisureand cultural hub. Aberdeen wasdeclared a Fair Trade city in 2004and was the first city to achievethis. The Council continually strivesto encourage the use of Fair Tradeproducts within the region.
In 2007 and 2008 Aberdeenshire wasrecognised in a nationwide survey ashaving the best quality of life inScotland. This survey comparedinformation on a range of issuesincluding levels of crime, health,education and employment. It reallyis an area unmatched by others.
This guide has been developed to provide an insight into AberdeenCity and Shire – to give you aglimpse of business opportunities,tourism and leisure, education and culture.
We really are able to offer the verybest of Scotland.
Welcome to… Aberdeen City and Shire
Aberdeen City and Shire has so much to offer…beautifulcountryside, fantastic beaches and a thriving and vibrant city centre.
WEL
COM
E
Peter Stephen Provost City of Aberdeen
Bill HowatsonProvost of Aberdeenshire
feel the energy
Transport LinksAberdeen City and Shire is a gateway to the rest of Scotland,the remotest parts of the UK and beyond, due to its uniquerange of transport networks – bus, plane, helicopter, car, train and boat.
TRAN
SPOR
T
12
13
Aberdeen City and Shire hasexcellent transport linkswith a full range of optionsfor travel, making it easily
accessible both from within theUnited Kingdom and also fromabroad. Travelling within theregion is simple and enjoyablewith Aberdeen City offering thegateway to some of the country’smost stunning scenery.
The future plans for the regionfeature major road developments,enhanced rail and bus services,better links to the rest of the country,improved air connections, andconcerted efforts to encouragecycling and walking.
Once you’ve arrived in Aberdeen City and Shire, there is a network ofexcellent transport initiatives fromclear, uncongested roads to regularand efficient rail links and anextensive network of bus routes.
Aberdeen’s main railway stationprovides a vital hub for the city,transporting regional commuters and visitors to the area. Following a £400,000 investment by FirstScotrail, the station’s First ClassLounge has a contemporary, light and airy feel offering customers a range of complimentaryservices within a relaxed andcomfortable environment.
BAA Aberdeen Airport, situated sixmiles north west of the city centre is the fastest growing airport ofBAA’s UK airports. With an expected
£60 million investment planned overthe next decade including a runwayextension, the future of the airport inproviding a vital transport hub for theregion is being secured. With 26direct flights to London per day, theregion is fully connected with theUK’s capital, cementing businesslinks and connecting the UK’s twomost affluent cities.
Unique to Aberdeen City and Shire isthe busiest civilian heliport in theworld. Mainly servicing the offshoreindustry, the heliport provides aninvaluable part of the infrastructureservicing the energy sector.
Within Aberdeenshire, helping youplan your journey, is a network ofjourney planning kiosks, located at 43 bus interchange points. Thesekiosks help you to check the time of the next bus or plan a futurejourney across Aberdeenshire and further afield. The informationcovers all bus, coach and rail journeysthroughout Aberdeenshire, AberdeenCity and Moray. A printed copy ofyour planned journey is also available.
An ambitious programme of transportimprovements aims to deliver on thedemand to connect the region moreefficiently with the rest of Scotlandand provide a tourist trail from thecity into Aberdeenshire and beyond.
Within the city, those on foot or bikewill find a compact and accessiblecentre. With cycle routes to offer asafe and healthy option for thosetravelling within the centre, the
suburbs and the Shire, the regionis focused on offering options from
the daily commute by car. Walkingthrough the city, the sparkling granite unique to the area provides a stunning backdrop unmatched inother cities.
Aberdeen City and Shire’s local,national and international connectionsmake the region a competitive placeto do business, an enjoyable place tovisit and a home you will never wantto leave.
feel the energy
“Aberdeen City and Shire has
excellent transport links with
a full range of options for
travel, making it easily
accessible both from within
the United Kingdom and also
from abroad.
Aberdeen City and Shire
Connectivity
First Bus © Aberdeen City Council
14
Big ambitions have beenset for the transportnetwork servingAberdeen City and
Shire. To realise those ambitions, a wide-ranging and co-ordinatedplan of action is in place.
Transport is commonly recognised asone of the key issues to preservingand enhancing the fantastic quality of life offered by Aberdeen City andShire, and ensuring its continuedeconomic success. That is why we at Nestrans, in tandem with our localauthority partners and a range ofother local and national organisations,have taken an integrated approach,devising the next generation ofprojects to:
• Develop the transportinfrastructure in the region
• Create and promote new transport choices
• Preserve and enhance travel linksnationally and internationally
The plans for Aberdeen City and Shire feature major roaddevelopments, enhanced rail and busservices, better links to the rest ofthe county, improved air connections,and concerted efforts to encouragecycling and walking options.
Our role at Nestrans is to identify and promote the projects that willmake a difference to the region, and help secure the necessarycommitment and funding. In recenttimes we have seen:
• A much more frequent local rail timetable
• New bus stations at Aberdeen and Peterhead
• A new bus link between the airportand Dyce station, among a seriesof moves to improve access to the airport
• The re-opening of Laurencekirkstation
• A series of new cycle and walkingroutes established
• New rail freight facilities
feel the energy
“Transport is commonly
recognised as one of the key
issues to preserving and
enhancing the fantastic
quality of life offered by
Aberdeen City and Shire, and
ensuring its continued
economic success.
A 21st Century
transport networkBy Nestrans
First Bus © Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen harbour © Aberdeen City Council
BAA Aberdeen Airport © Aberdeen City Council
15
Beyond that, there are alsocommitments in place to improve the Haudagain roundabout inAberdeen, dual the A90 Balmedie to Tipperty road between Aberdeenand the north of the Shire, andestablish faster rail services to thecentral belt and to Inverness.
Our strategy also features proposals to:
• Create a new rail station at Kintore
• Undertake further work to improvesurface access to the airport
• Upgrade Aberdeen Airport andextend the runway to broadendestination options
• Create new park and ride sites at three strategic locations
• Carry out a series of major roadsafety improvements
• Provide more safe cycling andwalking facilities
The key point is that all elements of the programme work together to make a truly modern transportsystem – the benefits will be greaterthan the sum of the individual parts.
The planned Aberdeen WesternPeripheral Route (AWPR) offers oneof the best examples. This flagshipproject, due for completion by theend of 2012, will be much more thana road.
At its busiest point the AWPR willcarry over 43,000 vehicles per day,easing congestion in and aroundAberdeen (and helping achieve a
10% reduction in traffic levels withinthe city), improving road safety andaccess, and linking key locationssuch as the airport and majorindustrial areas.
It will do more than that, however: it will also facilitate new park and ridesites, link rail freight transfer sites,create much-needed new roadconnections to the airport, pave theway for new bus priority and cyclemeasures in Aberdeen city, improvecity-centre air quality, and supportlonger-term city centrepedestrianisation plans.
By the time it is open, however,much else will also have beenachieved. Including:
• Improved bus service reliability and new park & ride facilities
• Many new local rail service options
• Rail journeys to the central belt andInverness reduced by 20 minutes
• More direct international air links
• More public transport options
• Quicker journey times on allmodes of transport
• Easier access to the busy towns ofFraserburgh and Peterhead
A great deal has been achieved inrecent years, and we are determinedto build on progress to date and
feel the energyachieve a network that will continueto meet the needs of our regionsocially, economically andenvironmentally. We are proud of thequality of life enjoyed by all who live inor visit our region, and are committedto ensuring our transport networkhelps enhance that reputation.
Bridge linking old railway line © nestrans
Laurencekirk Station, Aberdeenshire © nestrans
16
Aberdeen City and Shire is accessible by roadfrom Edinburgh orGlasgow in around 21/2
hours. The connection to thenorth of Scotland will be madeeven easier with the creation ofthe Aberdeen Western PeripheralRoute (AWPR).
Park and Ride SchemesAberdeen City Council and FirstAberdeen work in partnership toprovide a Park and Ride servicefrom the periphery to the citycentre, specifically from the Bridgeof Don and Kingswells. The serviceoperates every 10 minutes peakand 15 minutes off-peak fromMonday – Saturday.
Aberdeenshire Council also has aPark and Ride scheme from Ellon,serving populations that live northof the city.
Car ParkingThere are a number of pay anddisplay parking areas within thecity, with a spread of multi-storeyparking facilities throughout the centre. The main parkingcomplexes within the city are West North Street, Loch Street,Harriet Street, Market Street (Union Square), Shiprow, The Mall,South College Street, Denburn andChapel Street.
For visitors who arrive by car,Aberdeenshire towns all have some free parking so you can enjoythe traditional, bustling markettowns hassle-free. Roads are wellmaintained and congestion is rare.More information can be found atwww.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads/parking/carparks
feel the energy
www.stagecoachbus.com –
buses to Aberdeenshire
www.firstaberdeen.com –
buses around the city
www.citylink.co.uk –
long distance coaches
www.nationalexpress.com –
long distance coaches
By RoadBus and CoachThere are a number of organisationsproviding bus transport in theregion. Within the city the main buscompany is First Aberdeen whileStagecoach Bluebird is the mainoperator within the Shire.
Aberdeen Bus Station is verycentral and is based just off UnionStreet on Guild Street, next to the new Union Square retail andleisure development.
For those travelling to the airport,the Dyce shuttle service provides a 20-minute service running inconjunction with the main trainservices between the train stationand the airport terminal.
Stagecoach, Aberdeenshire © nestrans
17
Aberdeen City and Shire is a major hub for traintravel, providingconnections to the rest
of Scotland, the central belt andthe south. The network providesan invaluable connection forcommuters living in the Shireand working in the city.
Aberdeen Railway Station is locatedin the heart of the city centre onGuild Street. The current stationwas built as Aberdeen Joint Stationbetween 1913-16, replacing an1867 structure of the same nameon the same site. The station isundergoing a major refurbishmentin line with the new Union Squareretail and leisure development.
Station RefurbishmentAs part of the station’sregeneration a £400,000investment by First ScotRaildelivered the First Class Lounge.The lounge offers customers arange of complimentary facilitieswithin a comfortable and relaxedenvironment, including:
• Free Wi-Fi access
• Complimentary snacks and refreshments
• A comfortable seating area
• Freeview digital television
• Complimentary newspapers and magazines
Located at the front of the station adjacent to the new travelcentre, the lounge is open - free of charge - to First Class or FirstClass Caledonian Sleepercustomers and Advance Club
members with rail tickets valid fortravel that day. Customers can alsomake use of the brand new toiletsand shower facilities which havebeen introduced.
Business and
Tourism ConnectionsAberdeen station is managed by First ScotRail, who operateservices to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. ScotRail alsooperate the overnight CaledonianSleeper service to and from London Euston six days a week(Sunday-Friday).
National Express East Coast (NXEC)operate three daily services toLondon's Kings Cross station via Newcastle and Peterborough.
Aberdeen City and
Shire linksFor commuters and tourists, the region offers a selection of train station hubs. Reopened on 18 May 2009 at a cost of £3m,Laurencekirk station serves thecommunities of Laurencekirk andThe Mearns. Stonehaven, Dyce,Portlethen, Inverurie, Insch andHuntly stations also provideinvaluable links to and from the city. Dyce station in particularprovides a link for many offshoreworkers by connecting them to the city and beyond.
feel the energy
By Rail
“First ScotRail delivered the
First Class Lounge. The lounge
offers customers a range of
complimentary facilities
within a comfortable and
relaxed environment.
Laurencekirk Station © Aberdeenshire Council
18
Aberdeen Airport hasserved the region forthree quarters of acentury. From humble
roots, the Dyce terminal hasgrown into one of the area’smain economic contributors, tothe tune of an estimated £500m ayear according to recent studies.
Opened in 1934, the airport spentmuch of its early years as a RoyalAir Force base with the growth ofscheduled services after World WarII. However it was the discoveryand production of North Sea oil inthe 1970s that saw its fortunestake off. Aberdeen is now Europe’sbusiest commercial heliport andhelicopter traffic helps make itScotland’s busiest airfield.
After the airport was granted 24-hour opening in 2005, anextensive period of growth followedwith passenger numbers steadilyincreasing. That in turn led to majorinvestment throughout the terminal.
2009 saw £15m spent on a series of projects including a £5mparking deck, £2m of forecourtimprovements and a £5m stand re-alignment and international upgrade.A further £9m has been spentresurfacing the runways, increasingtheir life span by over 15 years.
Airport MD Kevin Brown said, “This is a challenging economy but we remain focused on the long term. That means continuingto make investments that meetdemand for more leisuredestinations, and for services thatcapitalise on changes in the energyindustry and Aberdeen City andShire’s other industries.”
Alongside capital investment theairport’s commitment to the future is proven through unveilingnew routes and developing existing ones. With all the majorEuropean hubs within easy reach,connectivity is key for an airport of Aberdeen’s size.
feel the energy
By Air
Ryan Air - Aberdeen Airport © Ryanair
BAA Aberdeen © BAA Aberdeen Airport
Visit www.aberdeenairport.com for flight information
AMSTERDAM
FAROE ISLANDS
BERGEN
OSLO
COPENHAGEN
ESBJERG
STAVANGER
GRONINGEN
PARISJERSEY
NAPLES
SICILY
REUS
MALTA
ALICANTE
MALAGAFARO
DUBLIN
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS WORLD WIDE HUBS
IBIZAMAJORCA
GRAN CANARIAMADEIRALAS PALMASTENERIFE
DALAMAN
VARNA
BOURGAS
CYPRUS
19
8
6
7
16
10
914
23
1
5
11
18
21
15
20
12
13
17
4
193020970
20
feel the energy
Aberdeen Harbour
Aberdeen Harbour is a world-class port,annually handling around five million
tonnes of cargo, valued atapproximately £1.5 billion, for a wide range of industries. Withversatile facilities, competitivecharges and diversity of traffic, it serves Aberdeen City and Shireand an extensive hinterland.
The harbour is the principalcommercial port in northernScotland and the key service portfor Orkney and Shetland. Facilitiesinclude freight, passenger, vehicleand livestock services with specificfacilities including forest productimports, finished paper exports,agricultural products and exports of oilfield equipment.
Aberdeen City and Shire provides a centre for the offshore oil and gas industry's marine supportoperations in northwest Europe.One of the busiest Trust Ports in Britain, Aberdeen is also animportant fishing port, serving a local processing industry, and a stop-off for cruise ships.
www.aberdeen-harbour.co.uk
Tourist LinksThe harbour also provides analternative choice for touristswishing to visit the beauty of some of Scotland’s northernislands, with daily passenger sailing and/or cargo services fromAberdeen Harbour to Orkney andShetland. Services also call atKirkwall, Lerwick, Scrabster andStromness ferry ports. The routes
currently service approximately140,000 passengers a year.
www.northlinkferries.co.uk
Peterhead Port Authority
Peterhead Port Authority isresponsible for the management,operation and development of the Port of Peterhead. The portcomprises two areas - PeterheadBay Harbour and the Harbours of Peterhead.
Peterhead Bay Harbour is a deepwater natural inlet protected fromthe sea by two breakwaters. Theport developed round the NorthSea oil and gas industry but inrecent years has diversified therange of vessels and commoditieshandled to include cruise vessels,project cargo, frozen fish andpleasure yachts. The oil industrystill forms the core activity in thispart of the port.
The Harbours of Peterhead havetraditionally serviced the fishing and bulk cargo sectors. Peterheadis the UK's leading white-fish portand one of the largest in Europeproviding a full range of modernfacilities to meet the completeneeds of the industry. In addition to white fish, it is the UK's secondlargest pelagic (mackerel andherring) port. Four harbours provideover 1500 meters of quaysidesupported by first class shore-sideservices including fuel supplies, ice and water plants, ship repairand maintenance facilities at theslipway and drydock.
www.peterheadport.co.uk
By Sea
Aberdeen Harbour © Aberdeen City Council
3020398
21
Funding:- Budget Cost £33.5 million- Scottish Government/European Fisheries Fund grant of £5.25 million
Timetable- Contract awarded January 2009- Completion scheduled - September 2010
Project Overview- 200 metre long berth at Smith Embankment with 13,000 sqm working area- 85 metre long extension to Albert Quay breakwater
Phase II Opportunity- Additional 50,000 sqm reclaimed ground- 100 metre long berth at Albert Quay- Ultra-heavy capacity decommissioning berth at Smith Embankment
Smith Embankment Development
This is one of the most ambitious projects to be instigated at
Peterhead. It will provide new deep water, all weather berths to
support a range of shipping activities at the port. Extensive land
reclamation works will create working areas adjacent to the
deepwater berths, making this a prime opportunity to attract
new business, activity and employment to the port. Construction
of the first phase is scheduled for completion in summer 2010.
The development was initiated to satisfy growing demand from
the pelagic fishing industry. Local processors have diversified
from the traditional species of mackerel and herring into a range
of other types which would previously have been processed as
fishmeal. They have also been successful in attracting an
increased number of landings from large foreign vessels.
However the facility will have sufficient capacity to support other
industries. It is ideally suited to handling subsea, diving support
and renewable energy activity which are already growth areas at
the port and the provision of additional modern facilities will
allow for further expansion. These sectors traditionally use large
vessels and gain significant advantages from working out of
Peterhead. Deepwater access and berths allow vessels to arrive
and sail at any time without having to wait for high water. Close
proximity to offshore locations saves time and reduces steaming
costs. Berths are conveniently located near major trunk roads
which are free of city centre congestion, thus allowing cargo and
equipment to be readily carried to its intended destination.
The new quayside incorporates a 500 tonne capacity heavy lift pad
and capability of skidding items up to 2,500 tonnes which will make
it ideal for handling project cargo. The adjacent reclaimed land
provides space for storage of large items, completing quayside
fabrication projects and may be used to support decommissioning
of offshore oil and gas infrastructure. Business opportunities will also
be sought for agricultural products, timber, containers and general
cargo. Overall these are exciting times at Peterhead as the port seeks
to capitalise on its current strengths and support local industry.
Peterhead holds a leading position in Europe for handling fish
and as the most Easterly deepwater port on the Scottish main-
land it plays a crucial role in servicing the North Sea oil indus-
try. The port handles over £130 million worth of fish each year
and over 2,000 visits by oil related vessels. Prime deepwater
berths were nearing full capacity and consultation with exist-
ing and potential port users identified prospects for further
growth in existing markets and significant opportunities to
diversify into new commodities. This heralded the start of
extensive studies and design which culminated in approval of
the Smith Embankment Development.
24
BusinessEnjoying a buoyant economy and growing population,Aberdeen City and Shire is the second most competitivelocation in the UK after London to do business in.
BUSI
NES
S
25
Think of Aberdeen City and Shire, and you’ll nodoubt think of oil and gas –the industry on which
the region has flourished andprospered for many years, and willdo so for the foreseeable future.
However Aberdeen’s undoubtedposition as a ‘global energy capital’can sometimes eclipse the manyother hugely successful industries,research and educational bodies thathave their home in the region andfrom which spring a wealth of talent,creativity and opportunity.
The region considers itself home tofour main industries, those being:• Energy • Life Sciences• Tourism• Food and Drink
As the most prosperous andflourishing region of Scotland,income levels are well aboveaverage and unemployment levelsare well below. Enjoying a buoyanteconomy and a growing population,Aberdeen is the most competitivelocation outside London in the UKto do business. It has the greatestproportion of new business bankaccounts in Scotland and more VATregistered businesses per thousandof population than Scotland and the UK.
Aberdeen City and Shire EconomicFuture (ACSEF) has worked to bringthe public and private sector right intothe heart of economic development.It is breaking new ground by working in partnership
to identify strategic priorities and theways in which they can be met, whichwill shape its vision for the future.
ACSEF has an ambitious vision for theregion to become one of the mostrobust and resilient economies inEurope - one of opportunity, enterpriseand inventiveness that will attract andretain world-class talent.
With improved accessibility, anattractive environment and the besthospitality, ACSEF aims to makeAberdeen City and Shire one of themost interesting and enjoyablelocations in the UK in which to visit,live, work and grow up.
The thriving, energetic businessclimate has meant that there is an enviable track record ofentrepreneurial dynamism andinnovation. Businesses are constantly developing and diversifyingto keep abreast of challenges and the region has exported leading-edgeskills, products and services throughoutthe world – from food to fishingexpertise, from energy technologies to engineering processes.
Aberdeen City and Shire’s engineeringindustry has been at the forefront ofdeveloping new technologies for theworld's oil and gas industries at everyphase of offshore development and isnow leading the way in the field ofrenewable energy.
With a track record extending almostfour decades, Aberdeen City
and Shire is now regarded as thecentre of excellence and is recognisedas the world leader in downholedrilling and sub-sea technology. Asmore than half the oil in the North Seais still to be developed, ACSEFexpects it to remain the region ofchoice for high value energy andrenewable energy organisations.
From oil drilling to renewable energytechnologies, from rich arable andcattle farming to life sciences,Aberdeen City and Shire has evolvedits skills base imaginatively and manysmall family businesses have grownto become international operators.
The highest concentration of lifescientists in Europe is to be found in the Aberdeen City and Shire areaand the region has the greatestconcentration of food and drinkcompanies in the country. Known as Scotland’s Larder, it’s also thehome of a world authority on nutritionand food sciences, The RowettResearch Institute.
Education is valued and the highachieving system, which includesworld-class universities and researchinstitutes, has helped stimulate anintellectual power that has resulted in many new ideas and innovations.
With such a stimulating mix ofindustries, cutting edge technology,intellectual capital and research,Aberdeen City and Shire is an inspiringplace to do business.
feel the energy
Aberdeen & Grampian
Chamber of Commerce
“The role of the Chamber is
to support and encourage
the growth and development
of its members. Not only do
the individual members
benefit; so does the wider
economy of Aberdeen City
and Shire and beyond.
26
feel the energy
The role of the Chamber is tosupport and encourage the growthand development of its members.Not only do the individual membersbenefit; so does the widereconomy of Aberdeen City andShire and beyond. As part of thewider Scottish Chambers ofCommerce networks, AGCC worksat a local, national and internationallevel to provide a comprehensiveportfolio of business services,support and advocacy.
The Chamber’s links to otherchambers in the global network,such as the British Arab Chamber ofCommerce, also provides valuableopportunities for local companies to make new business contactsaround the world. In addition, theChamber’s Export Documentationservice provides export advice and
While food and drink,tourism, life sciencesand energy are thefour main pillars
that uphold the Aberdeen Cityand Shire economy they aresupported by the much broaderbusiness base covering all otheraspects of life. Sitting right at theheart of this business life isAberdeen and GrampianChamber of Commerce (AGCC).
With just over 1,200 members,representing around 84,000 peoplein the private sector, AGCC isrecognised as Aberdeen City andShire’s leading member-focusedbusiness organisation. Membershipcovers all industry sectors, rangingin size from sole traders to multi-national corporations.
Image © AGCC
service to businesses exportinggoods – everything from Shetlandfish going to the Baltic States topaper going to China.
The strength and advantage of manyAberdeen City and Shire companieslies in their export capabilities andthe Chamber is at the forefront ofproviding support for a diverse rangeof businesses. The Chamber’sInternational Business Departmentprovides advice and global marketentry services to all trade sectors.Its UK West Africa Action Group(UKWAAG) specialises in thechallenging markets of sub-SaharanAfrica and leads a number ofmissions, primarily to exploreopportunities for the oil and gassector but recently included amission that looked at educationalopportunities.
One of the key issues affectingbusiness in Aberdeen City and Shirerelates to the availability of skilledstaff across all areas. The Chamberruns a full commercial trainingprogramme offering 170 shortcourses covering more than 60business-related topics, spanning avast array of subject matters whichsupport organisations’ retraining andpersonal development programmes.The Chamber also delivers a range of SVQs, which employersrecognise as an important resourcein their own workplacedevelopment programmes.
In difficult economic times,organisations across Scotland, in common with companies across the UK, are increasinglyaware of the value of promotingtheir business to potential newclients and markets. Through itsprogramme of over 60 events each year, the Chamber providesmembers with unrivallednetworking opportunities, whichhelp build their contact base anddevelop their business.
Acknowledged as hugely beneficialto companies of all sizes and fromall sectors, these events rangefrom informational workshops tobusiness breakfasts and are animportant and established part of the Aberdeen City and Shirebusiness scene.
At the core of the Chamber’s workis its commitment to support thedrive for economic development in Aberdeen City and Shire, toachieve the sustainable growth andprosperity that will benefit not onlyits members but also the region’swider business community. In thisit works closely with partnershiporganisations including theAberdeen City and Shire regionalidentity team, ACSEF, Nestrans, the North East Climate ChangePartnership and the AirportBusiness Development Forum to achieve the results that willconfirm Aberdeen City and Shire as a location of choice in which to live, work and do business.
www.agcc.co.uk
27
feel the energy
Brasserie Restaurant, Aberdeen © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
Unique to Aberdeen Cityand Shire is a public-private sector partnershipthat drives the region’s
economic development with ashared vision for sustainablegrowth and prosperity.
ACSEF brings local companies right into the heart of shaping theregion’s future economy. Togetherthe key players in economicdevelopment aim to create anenvironment in which business can flourish.
The vision is to become recognised,by 2025, as one of the most robustand resilient economies in Europewith a reputation for opportunity,enterprise and invention that willattract and retain world-class talentof all ages. To achieve this vision,ACSEF has an action plan with twoover-riding objectives: to achieve agross value added (GVA) of 2.5%and enhance Aberdeen City andShire’s quality of life.
Addressing the prioritiesThese objectives are supported byseven business-identified prioritiesthat will deliver improved quality oflife and the continued growthneeded to deliver the vision.
Transport
An integrated transport network is vital to the region’s economy.ACSEF is working closely with the region’s regional transportpartnership – Nestrans – to delivera modern transport network tomake Aberdeen City and Shire the
best-connected region in the UK,with access to global locationsthrough excellent air, road, rail and sea links.
Maximising intellectual capital
ACSEF is focused on increasing thenumber of indigenous businesseswith valuable intellectual propertyand locally developed patents,particularly in the key industrysectors of energy and life sciences. Through highly skilledentrepreneurial talent, AberdeenCity and Shire will increaseinnovation and commercialisation of research, building on theindustry knowledge and expertisewithin an excellent academic base.
Anchoring an energy industry
Increasing the internationalisationof local companies, harnessingalternative energy expertise andglobal promotion of the region’sunrivalled oil and gas supply chainwill maintain the region’s positionas a world-renowned centre ofexcellence. To retain a global oiland gas industry after the NorthSea’s hydrocarbons are depleted,ACSEF is helping create a modern,connected and efficient place to do business. Key projects includethe Energy Futures Centre,Aberdeen Offshore Wind TestCentre and Energetica – anambitious initiative to consolidateand grow the region’s status as aGlobal Energy Capital.
Delivering city centre
redevelopment
A vibrant, dynamic and attractive
ACSEF
“The vision is to become
recognised, by 2025, as one
of the most robust and
resilient economies in
Europe with a reputation
for opportunity, enterprise
and invention
28
feel the energyAberdeen City and Shire Economic Future
Harleys, Aberdeenshire © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
Baker Oil Tools © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
city centre is key to attractingbusiness. Through a wide range ofpartnership initiatives and projects,ACSEF aims to create a WorldEnergy City that is a globallycompetitive destination of choicefor retail, leisure, environment andbusiness. Projects include a radicaltransformation of the city centrethat will provide eight acres of newcivic space, creating a cultural andhistoric hub.
Attracting and developing skills
Key to ACSEF’s vision is developing the region’s existingskills and attracting new ones. The region has embarked on astrategy to offer more diverseemployment opportunities, create a workforce to meet current skillsgaps and the future needs of keysectors, provide access to skillsdevelopment, prepare youngpeople to meet future labourmarket needs, and attract anddevelop the skills of migrantworkers.
Improving planning efficiency
An efficient planning systemensures the right development is in the right place at the righttime. ACSEF is nurturing a pro-development approach with astreamlined, fast and efficientdecision-making process. Positive,proactive and co-ordinated workbetween business and planners will create an attractive site forpotential developers.
Aberdeen City and Shire’s localdevelopment plans will shape theregion over the next 20 years andensure economic growth is notconstrained due to land availabilityand access.
The location of choice for
company headquarters
Almost a third of Scotland’s top 100 companies are already based inAberdeen City and Shire. Securingmore company headquarters in theregion will contribute to its long-term competitiveness. ACSEF aimsto increase the business birth-rateby providing tailored support tofast-track local businesses withhigh growth potential and retainingexisting corporate headquartersthrough the development of ahighly skilled workforce, promotionof the region as a location of choice and increased investment inresearch and development activity.
Many of these actions have already been delivered. By 2012 theregion will see major infrastructureput in place, significant projectscompleted and others kick off.Many of these projects support thegrowth of our key industry sectors,such as the establishment of a foodand health innovation centre andworking with tourism businesses to establish Royal Deeside as amajor destination.
With improved accessibility, anattractive environment and the besthospitality, Aberdeen City and Shireis becoming one of the mostinteresting and enjoyable locations inthe UK to visit, live, work and growup. ACSEF is committed to providingthe necessary vision, leadership andenergy to conceive and deliver theambitions of a region with anenterprising past but an even morevibrant and exciting future.
“Almost a third of Scotland’s
top 100 companies are
already based in Aberdeen
City and Shire. Securing more
company headquarters in the
region will contribute to its
long-term competitiveness.
29
feel the energy
Petrofac Tower, Aberdeen © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
© Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
30
Small businesses are anessential element ofAberdeen City and Shire’s economy and the
Federation of Small Businesses(FSB) is at the heart ofsupporting and protecting their interests.
Some 99% of all businesses inScotland are classed as small ormedium-sized – and 93% employfewer than 10 members of staff.They also provide over a millionjobs in Scotland and are the heart of our tourism and other key industries.
As Scotland’s largest member-ledbusiness organisation, the FSBexists to support and provide abetter platform for businesses tosurvive, grow and prosper. Thereare almost 6,000 members inAberdeen City and Shire, with over a third in the rural and moreremote areas.
The FSB makes its members’views heard at the heart ofGovernment – whether at localauthority, Holyrood or Westminsterlevel – and is represented at alleconomic and business forums,ensuring members’ issues are dealt with in the proper manner andthat the small business sector isfairly represented.
The FSB has been instrumental in successfully lobbying for thereduction or abolition of businessrates for small firms, the removal of bridge tolls in Scotland and,
most recently, securing a clause inall government contracts stipulatingthat large prime contractors paysubcontractors on time.
Under the banner “Keep TradeLocal – Sustaining Scotland’sCommunities”, the FSB has been lobbying policy-makers and consumers to take the rightdecisions to safeguard localindependent businesses, therebysafeguarding the communities thatthese firms support.
Being a branch and regionallystructured organisation, we are also active on the ground and in the community. Our activists workin close partnership with localschools and colleges to ensure thatenterprise and entrepreneurship isrecognised early. You will also findthe FSB promoting businesses andsupporting their communities atlocal agricultural shows, trade fairs,highland shows and local games.
feel the energyFederation of
Small Businesses
31
Energy
The energy sector – oil and gas, renewables andpower generation - is thekey driver of the local
economy with an estimated 20%contribution to Aberdeen Cityand Shire’s overall economicoutput and up to 40,000 energy-related jobs in the region.
The challenge for Aberdeen Cityand Shire is to sustain and grow itsposition as a global energy capitalbeyond the life of the North Sea. Inother words maintain the cluster oftechnology know-how in the cityregion and further internationalisethe business base. Part of theresponse is the development of Energetica, a world-classtechnology corridor stretching fromAberdeen to Peterhead promotingAberdeen City and Shire as one ofthe best places to live, work andinvest. Additionally, in line with UKand Scottish Government policy,the oil and gas industry will beencouraged to respond toopportunities in renewable energy.
Specific project responses are:
• Energetica Strategic Frameworkpublished and successfullyincorporated into region's draftStructure Plan
• Ongoing development ofAberdeen Science Parks,bringing in private sectorexpertise and capital to provide a world-class location.
• Peterhead’s businessinfrastructure is being developedto capitalise on the region'sgrowing renewables anddecommissioning proposition.
• Supply chain development forboth decommissioning andrenewable energies, to capitaliseon a potential decommissioningmarket opportunity of £20-25billion over the next 20 years.
• Aberdeen Offshore Winddeployment Facility as a testcentre for emerging offshorewind technologies.
feel the energyAberdeen City and Shire
Key Industry Sectors
“The challenge for Aberdeen
City and Shire is to sustain
and grow its position as a
global energy capital beyond
the life of the North Sea.
Rotech - model of wave turbine© Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
32
feel the energyLife SciencesOne of four major life sciencelocations in Scotland, AberdeenCity and Shire’s life sciencesindustry has significant growthpotential. The region is home toone of the largest concentrations of life scientists in the UK outsideof Cambridge. Specialisms are in areas of human health andnutrition, bone health, infectiousdiseases, imaging and biologics.
Growth has been facilitatedparticularly as a consequence ofboth universities investing in thisarea and the opportunities affordedthrough the merger of the RowettInstitute with the University ofAberdeen. Aberdeen City and Shirehas a significant academic andresearch base, centred on the Institute of Medical Sciences,the University of Aberdeen, theRowett Research Institute, RobertGordon University’s School ofPharmacy and Life Sciences andNHS Grampian. The region hassuccessfully attracted Wyeth, a top10 global pharmaceutical company.The challenge is to accelerateintellectual property exploitationand create new companies.
A number of projects are beingdeveloped to support the growing sector:
• Life Science Innovation Phase 2
led by the University of Aberdeento provide commercial incubatorspace. This follows the success of Life Science Innovation Phase1, which houses Wyeth’s ProteinTherapeutics Laboratory and wasfunded in a collaborative venturebetween Scottish Enterprise,Aberdeen City Council and theUniversity of Aberdeen.
• National Research Scotland
Co-ordination Centre provides a central point of contact withinthe NHS for all multi-centreclinical trials in Scotland. The aim is to standardise approvalprocesses, reduce approval timesand increase the number ofcommercial and non-commercialclinical trials. The target is toincrease clinical trial income by50% from the current £7m to£11m over three years.
• Re-energised Aberdeen City and Shire’s networking forum aspart of Life Sciences Scotland,supported by Scottish Enterprise.
“The region has successfully
attracted Wyeth, a top 10
global pharmaceutical
company. The challenge is
to accelerate intellectual
property exploitation and
create new companies.
The University of Aberdeen IMS Lab© The University of Aberdeen
33
Food & DrinkLong a staple industry in Aberdeen City and Shire, food and drink is an important sectorbuilding on the region’s keyprimary strengths in agriculture,food processing and fishing.Aberdeen City and Shire has6,000 employees in food anddrink manufacturing, contributing13% of Scotland’s total food anddrink employment andgenerating 9% of Scotland’s foodand drink turnover.
There is a huge opportunity for Aberdeen City and Shirebusinesses to capitalise on theregion’s health enhancing products- such as fish, berries and oats -and to develop new products andre-formulate existing products more healthily. Projects include:
• Scottish Centre for Food
and Health Innovation, whichwill be a pan-Scotland projectcentered in Aberdeen City andShire drawing on expertise fromaround the country to helptranslate academic research into commercial products. Theproject in Aberdeen will enable
Scottish food and drinkcompanies to utilise the world-class research in food, health and life sciences available toaccelerate the launch of newproducts. Over the first fiveyears, the project is expected to inject £43m of output to the economy.
• Grampian Food Forum is apartnership comprising seniormembers of the food and drinkindustry in the region, and public sector organisations in the area. The Forum advises the public sector organisationson the needs of the food anddrink industry so projects can be implemented quickly.Importantly, it also provides a networking platform forcompanies from different sectorsto learn from each other. Theflagship food and drink event inthe region ‘Taste of Grampian’has grown year on year,successfully showcasing theregion’s top quality food anddrink products to the public and businesses alike.
feel the energy
Whiskey Industry © Aberdeenshire Council
Peterhead Fish Market© Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
Deans of Huntly, Aberdeenshire © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
34
feel the energyTourismTourism is a growing sector in Aberdeen City and Shire,generating £250m, 40% of which is attributed to overseas visitors.There are 20,000 tourism-relatedjobs in Aberdeen City and Shire,equal to 9% of Scotland’s tourismemployment and 8% of theregion’s total employment.
High levels of business tourism and growing leisure-based tourismopportunities focus on key assetslike Cairngorms National Park. Thereare also significant international golfdevelopments planned, such as theTrump Organisation’s resort atMenie Estate.
The challenge for Scottish tourismand for Aberdeen City and Shireover the next 10-15 years, is globalcompetition with increased qualityand visitor experiences around the world. Scotland and AberdeenCity and Shire are well positioned to respond to market trends and provide the destinationexperiences consumers demand.
The region has a principal leisuretourism destination in Royal Deesideand the Cairngorms, an emergingleisure destination in the BanffshireCoast, and in Aberdeen City, astrong business tourism destinationwith huge potential to deliver greaterinvestment returns. Additionally,there are emerging opportunities for growth in golf tourism. Specificproject responses are:
• Royal Deeside and Cairngorms
Destination Development is the main tourism destination inAberdeen City and Shire. Thedevelopment plan for 2010-2014proposes a cohesive programmeof transformational projectslinking tourism, businessdevelopment, product innovationand supporting infrastructureimprovements. Expected impactsby 2015 are increased visitorspending up 58% to £80m,visitor numbers up by 3-6% perannum and an additional 1,200jobs in the tourism sector.
• Banffshire Coast – the tourismpotential of Banffshire will bemaximised with targetedintervention complementing the
offer in Royal Deeside andCairngorms. The BanffshireCoast Tourism Partnership,Scottish Enterprise and otherpartners will focus on destinationmanagement, productdevelopment and increasing the quality of the offer.
• Golf tourism development –
with planned developments atMenie Estate and Blairs College,there is an opportunity forAberdeen City and Shire to beone of the prime golf tourismdestinations in Scotland. Thisproject will work with a numberof golf clubs to develop theircommercial approach andincrease tourism revenues for the region’s economy.
“A strong business tourism
destination with huge
potential to deliver greater
investment returns.
Additionally, there are
emerging opportunities
for growth in golf tourism.
Stonehaven Golf, Aberdeenshire© Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
EQUITIES | FIXED INCOME | PROPERTY
Many financial institutions have to balance different interests.
But at Aberdeen, we just do asset management.
At Aberdeen, asset management is all we do. Whereas many other asset managers are part of investment banking or life assurance groups, we have the freedom to focus on asset management alone.
We believe this allows our investment teamsto work at what they do best, across the world,rather than being distracted by a myriad of conflicting business interests.
In fact, it’s our single-minded approach to asset management, and our dedicated investment processes, that have helped us to become one of the UK’s leading independent asset managers.
Do remember the value of investments can go down as well as up and investors may not get back what they originally invested. Past performanceis not a guide to future performance.
For more information on why Aberdeen’s investment approach stacks up, contact Bill Greenhalgh on 01224 425211or visit aberdeen-asset.com
Issued and approved by Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited, 10 Queen’s Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1YGAuthorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom. Telephone calls may be recorded.
3020455
35
3020727
36
RegenerationA variety of regeneration projects across Aberdeen Cityand Shire will enhance the region’s strong retail sector,cutting edge technology, intellectual capital andstimulating mix of industries to strengthen a leadingbusiness region for years to come.
REGE
NER
ATIO
N
37
38
Fundamental to theUniversity of Aberdeen’stransformation is anambitious £272m
development programmeoffering students, staff and locals an unrivalled environmentto learn, work, live and enjoy leisure.
In summer 2009, constructionbegan on the £57m flagship project - a magnificent new library for the University and localcommunity. This striking buildingwill enable the University to open up its outstanding historiccollections of manuscripts, books,maps, photographs and otherartefacts for the first time to amuch wider audience includingregular exhibitions, readings, artand music events.
The new library will be a focus for a cultural programme thatalready includes the annual WordFestival, an extensive musicprogramme attracting world-classperformers, culture and naturalhistory museums, and publiclectures on the most hotly debated issues of our time.Adjacent to the new library aconservation suite will make theUniversity a centre of specialistexpertise in conserving pricelesshistoric documents, includingarchives of the region.
As work started on the new libraryand conservation suite, the £20mSuttie Centre for Teaching and
Learning in Healthcare opened formedical teaching and clinicaltraining at Foresterhill. This centreof excellence ensures the regionremains at the forefront in trainingclinical professionals for the 21stcentury and pushes the boundariesof innovation by taking advantageof advances in technology andteaching methods.
The £28m Aberdeen Sports Village- a partnership with Aberdeen City Council and SportScotland –provides outstanding indoor andoutdoor facilities, many of Olympic class. Northern Scotlandfinally has a sporting hub capable of hosting international events,attracting promising athletes to the University, nurturing localtalent and building a more activelocal community.
This investment programmedemonstrates the University’scommitment to its stakeholdersand its local roots. It alsoshowcases commitment toenvironmental sustainability. All the new buildings incorporate high-quality, flexible, functional andsustainable design and engineeringfeatures. Both the new library and Suttie Centre achieved the‘excellent’ rating in the demandingcriteria set by the industry-standardBRE Environmental AssessmentMethod (BREEAM).
feel the energy
“This striking building will
enable the University to open
up for the first time its
outstanding historic
collections of manuscripts,
books, maps, photographs
and other artefacts to a
much wider audience
The University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen Kings College© The University of Aberdeen
39
Union Square - From Rail to Retail
Hammerson has invested£275m into UnionSquare, a majorregeneration project
in the heart of Aberdeen.
The impressive retail and leisuredevelopment is the largest of itskind in Scotland, creating over1,000 new jobs in the retail, leisure and catering industries.Hammerson is working togetherwith Aberdeen Works to ensurethe job opportunities support localeconomic regeneration.
Union Square complements theemerging business district adjacentto the shopping park. A number of new offices are planned for thearea, which is already home toPetrofac and Aker Offshore Partner(AOP) among others. The businessdistrict will provide additional jobopportunities and strengthen thecity’s robust economy.
For more information on UnionSquare and all that it has to offer visit:www.unionsquareaberdeen.com
Major Refurbishment forCity Shopping Centres
The Bon Accord and StNicholas Centres haverecently undergone a major investment
programme, underlining theirposition as Aberdeen City andShire’s premier shoppingdestination, and strengtheningtheir fashion focus.
Scotland’s biggest Next opened itsdoors in August 2009, while topretailers Karen Millen and KurtGeiger both chose to open theirfirst stores in Aberdeen in the Bon Accord Centre.
Warehouse, Coast and Oasis haveall opened bigger shops, bringing anew look to the Centre. They havebeen joined by a new and biggerRiver Island and, for the first timein the Bon Accord Centre, Topshopand Topman.
The stores are positioned near toeach other, with the flagship Nextstore on the Upper Mall, and tocreate a more open and spaciousfeel for the fashion enclave, the central atrium has been refurbished.
feel the energy
Retail & Lifestyle
“The St Nicholas Centre has
undergone a £2m facelift,
giving it a contemporary
and modern image.
The St Nicholas Centre, Aberdeen© The Bon Accord & St Nicholas Centres
40
Westhill Business Parkhas seen unrivalledgrowth over the pasttwo years and has
quickly confirmed its place as a leading place to locate to in the region.
The high quality business park is home to some of Aberdeen City and Shire’s most high profilebusinesses and headquarters.Stewart Milne Group isheadquartered at Westhill andScottish Water also has a largeregional presence on the business park.
The industrial area is probably best known for what is claimed to be the world's largest cluster of subsea engineering expertisewhich combines the presence of global scale contractors including Acergy, Schlumberger,SubSea7 and Technip. These sit
alongside smaller businesses that support subsea work witheverything from supplies ofconsumables through divingsystems, specialised tools and the design and manufacture of sonar and ROV equipment.
Westhill Business Park offers asuperb working environment,surrounded by open countrysideand a variety of amenities andfacilities. Its close proximity to the airport and excellent links into Aberdeen City, as well as its position on the route of theWestern Peripheral Route, Westhilloffers excellent connectivity as wellas high quality industrial land and a large local skills and knowledgebase to populate businesseslocated there.
feel the energy
Westhill Business Park
“The industrial area is
probably best known for
what is claimed to be the
world's largest cluster of
subsea engineering
expertise which combines
the presence of global
scale contractors
Westhill Business Park © Aberdeenshire Council
41
Plans for a global energyshowcase stretchingfrom Bridge of Don toPeterhead are moving
forward. A developmentframework highlighting thepotential economic benefits ofthe project has been publishedand the Energetica project is now gathering momentum.
Energetica is a 30-mile technology,lifestyle and leisure corridor runningfrom the Airport to the Bridge ofDon in Aberdeen and to Peterhead.Energetica will secure AberdeenCity and Shire’s position as a globalenergy technology hub, attractdynamic organisations andstimulate synergies, innovation,research and development.
Energetica was conceived byACSEF (Aberdeen City and ShireEconomic Future) to reflect theregion’s drive to anchor the world-
class oil and gas technology clusterand to accelerate the developmentof new renewable energytechnologies, provide high qualityemployment opportunities andoffer an environment with anunrivalled quality of life.
The Energetica Corridor will host aseries of interconnected businessand lifestyle hubs – an ambitiousproject that will commandinternational attention. Energeticamight be founded on energy;however at its heart is the creationof a lifestyle destination that willoffer exemplar residential, leisureand education facilities that willattract people and business to the region. Realising Energetica’svision will create a leadingdestination in Aberdeen City andShire to compete with offerings inother energy and technology driveneconomies across the world.
feel the energy
Energetica Global Energy Showcase
Part of the Energetica Corridor, Aberdeenshire Coastline© Aberdeenshire Council
Harnessing Aberdeen’s Energy
for the Future
technologies, provide R&D andcommercial opportunities
• Building a state-of-the-art EnergyFutures Centre to anchor andattract the best energy expertise
• Establishing a renewablesresearch cluster and a Chair inEnergy Futures alongsideAberdeen’s two Universities
• Developing a regional biomass strategy
• Helping to develop the UK’s largestrenewable energy show: All-Energy
• Developing renewable energytrade links around the world in partnership with keyindustry organisations
renewables market estimated to beworth over £20bn per annum.
Members operate across allrenewable energy sectors so AREGcan provide access to the depth oftalent and expertise needed todeliver world-class projects.
AREG’s commitment to developingthe region’s sustainable renewablesindustry is demonstrated by itsmajor Scottish and European projects:
• Developing a European OffshoreWind Deployment Centre to actas a proving ground for new
Aberdeen RenewableEnergy Group (AREG)plays a pivotal role indeveloping and
promoting Aberdeen City andShire’s renewable energycapabilities across Scotland, theUK and globally.
With regular contact withgovernment, key agencies andindustry stakeholders, AREG is ableto access public and private sectorsupport to assist regional renewablesdevelopment and works diligentlyto identify and access opportunitiesfor local businesses in a worldwide
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 814620Email: [email protected]
THE FUTUREOF ENERGYTHE FUTUREOF ABERDEENThe largest concentration of oil and gas and renewable energy
businesses in Europe are located in Aberdeen. Their unique mix
of skills, experience and expertise have positioned the region at
the forefront of the global energy sector. AREG is supporting
these businesses to access new opportunities in the ever
growing multi-billion pound renewable energy market.
fisheroffshore.com
Our activities include:
● Offshore Deck Equipment Rental
● Winches, A-Frames and Cranes
● Subsea Tooling Rental
● Seabed Excavation Services
Quality Engineering...Safely Today
● Design of Bespoke Tooling and Systems
● Umbilical and Wire Rope Spooling Services
● Authorised Ingersoll Rand Winch & Hoist
Distributor & Service Centre
Tel: + 44 (0) 1651 873932
Fax: + 44 (0) 1651 873939
PUMP RENTALHigh Pressure Jetting, Well Service, Pressure Testing, Pipeline, Fire Pump, Dredging, Hydraulic Power Packs, Fluid Transfers, Caisson Clean Ups.
POWERED UMBILICAL REELSAir Powered & Hydraulically Powered Umbilical Reels, Hose Rental, Multi Core Umbilicals, Spooling Service.
RECRUITMENTShort Term & Permanent:- Pipeline, Testing, Fluid Pumping, Nitrogen Pumping, Drill Cutting, Yard Labour, Administration, Training.
PROJECT MANAGEMENTEquipment Refurbishment, Yard Trials,Prototype Tool Testing, Downhole ToolTesting, Storage.
BUCHAN TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD.
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 1467 670000 Fax: +44 (0) 1467 670011 buchantechnical.co.uk
A James Fisher Group Company
43
Successfullyproviding globalservices at alocal level
Providing world-class knowledge, services andproducts to add value to clients in the oil & gas, andpower industries, Wood Group is a major internationalenergy services company, employing more than28,000 people and operating in over 46 countries.
UK Corporate OfficeJohn Wood House, Greenwell Road, East Tullos,Aberdeen AB12 3AX, Scotland, UKTel +44 (0)1224 851000 Fax +44 (0)1224 851474
www.woodgroup.com
Bringing up kids takes energy. That’s where we come in. The young people of Scotland deserve a
great future. And, at BP, we’re committed to helping them achieve it.
Through our educational programmes, we’re inspiring them to make the most of tomorrow’s opportunities.
We’re helping to protect their future environment with initiatives like our unique £10 million investment in the Scottish Forest Alliance.
And we’re working with government to demonstrate the breadth of opportunity for young people in the energy industry.
beyond petroleumbp.com C 2009 bp p.l.c
EducationA world leader in terms of educational and research facilities, Aberdeen City and Shire is a region bursting with entrepreneurial talent and enthusiasm to succeed.
EDUC
ATIO
N
46
Home to two universities,two further educationcolleges and a range of schools and training
facilities, Aberdeen City andShire retains consistently highstandards and enjoys areputation for being at theforefront of new developments.
Aberdeen City Universities
The University of Aberdeen
The first of Aberdeen’s twouniversities. King’s College, was founded in 1495 by WilliamElphinstone (1431-1514), Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor ofScotland. Marischal College wasfounded in New Aberdeen byGeorge Keith, 5th Earl Marischal of Scotland in 1593. Thesefoundations were amalgamated to form the present University of Aberdeen in 1860. King’s andMarischal were Scotland’s third andfifth oldest universities respectively.
Robert Gordon University
Robert Gordon University is aninspirational blend of the traditionaland the contemporary at both its Garthdee and City Centrecampuses. The original college was opened in 1750 by thephilanthropist Robert Gordon, toeducate the sons of the city’stradesmen. The name RobertGordon's Institute of Technology, orRGIT as it was popularly known,was adopted in 1965 to reflect thecontinuing advancement in the levelof the teaching work. In 1992 RGITwas awarded university status andbecame Robert Gordon University.
Art and Architecture schoolsGray’s School of Art, part of RobertGordon University, was founded in1886 and is one of the oldestestablished art colleges in the UK. Itis situated on the beautiful groundsof the University’s Garthdeecampus on the edge of the city.
The Scott Sutherland School ofArchitecture and Built Environmentis also situated on the Garthdeecampus of Robert GordonUniversity. The School has astudent-led lecture society andsponsored lecture series called5710, which invites high-profilespeakers involved in architectureworldwide - creating a unique linkbetween architectural practice andarchitectural education.
CollegesAberdeen College has severalcampuses in Aberdeen and offers a wide variety of part-time and full-time courses leading to severaldifferent qualifications. It thelargest further education institutionin Scotland. Banff and BuchanCollege attracts students from allover the world. The main campus is in Fraserburgh and there arelearning centres in Huntly, Macduff,Turriff, Ellon, Keith and Peterhead.
State schoolsWith over 200 schools in AberdeenCity and Shire, the quality ofeducation within the region is high. Cults Academy, OldmacharAcademy and Aberdeen GrammarSchool are all rated in the top 20Scottish secondary schools leaguetables. Historically, the mostfamous of Aberdeen's schools is Aberdeen Grammar School.Founded in 1263 it is one of theoldest schools in Britain and ismost famous for being the schoolwhere Lord Byron studied.
Private schoolsThere are a number of privateschools in Aberdeen; Albyn School(co-ed as of 2006), St Margaret’sSchool for Girls, the HamiltonSchool (following the Montessoriphilosophy curriculum), RobertGordon’s College, the Total S.A.French School (for French oilindustry families), the InternationalSchool of Aberdeen and aWaldorf/Steiner School.
feel the energy
47“Historically, the most
famous of Aberdeen's
schools is Aberdeen
Grammar School. Founded
in 1263 it is one of the
oldest schools in Britain
and is most famous for
being the school where
Lord Byron studied.
The University of Aberdeenprovides academicleadership at the forefront of tackling the
social, cultural, economic andtechnological challenges of the21st century.
Bold thinking, pioneering researchand innovation, partnership andinspirational teaching have longmade Aberdeen City and Shire a powerhouse of learning anddiscovery. The University ofAberdeen offers a first-class and unique student experience for undergraduates andpostgraduate professionaldevelopment.
A decade of
transformationIn 2000, as the University enteredits sixth century, it embarked on anambitious strategy to build on itsdistinguished history and becomean international centre of teachingand learning, ranked within theworld’s top 100 universities. Nineyears later, annual turnover haddoubled to over £200m, researchincome had trebled, and studentnumbers increased from 9,000 to over 15,000 - with over 4,000coming from outside the UK.
The University has become a world centre for nutrition and
The University
of Aberdeen£272m campus development
48
feel the energy
The University of Aberdeen© The University of Aberdeen
health through merging with theRowett Research Institute, and its new graduate dental school is training much-needed dentistsfor northern Scotland. TheUniversity’s Rural Digital EconomyHub has positioned it at theforefront of creating Digital Britain,and the UK’s National SubseaResearch Institute is among othernational initiatives to be hosted on campus.
Researchers of different disciplines are increasingly working together in national andinternational collaborations. Newpostgraduate opportunities offerprofessional development in allareas of arts, business, science and technologies. Meanwhileresearch is being commercialisedthrough industry partnerships and spin-out companies within an entrepreneurial ethos flourishing throughout theorganisation.
A growing
intellectual communityUnderpinning this transformation is unprecedented investment inattracting academic leaders fromacross the world. Over recent years over 70 internationallydistinguished professors havejoined the University from many of the world’s most prestigiousuniversities. This in turn hasattracted talented academics atearlier stages of their careers. In2009, the University launched asecond phase of its Sixth CenturyChairs recruitment campaign,committing £15m to bring moreinternationally renowned scholarsto the region.
World-leading researchThe research strength of theUniversity was formally recognisedin the 2008 Research Assessment
Exercise conducted across all UKuniversities. Almost 90% of theUniversity’s research activity wasjudged of international quality. Over half was described as worldleading or internationally excellent.Eleven areas of research wereranked among the top 25% in theUK. This performance deliveredimmediate benefits through a 27%boost in research grant from theScottish Funding Council – thebiggest percentage increase among Scotland’s research-intensive universities.
Unique learning for
the 21st centuryStudents are at the heart of theUniversity. From 2010 the studentexperience will be enhanced further with degree programmeswhich retain all the quality anddepth of the traditional Scottishdegree while adding increasedbreadth of study, flexibility andmore opportunities for personaldevelopment.
The new programmes aremodernising the structure, content, delivery and flexibility ofdegrees and are designed to giveAberdeen’s graduates considerableadvantage in their professional andpersonal lives and as global citizensin the 21st century. This initiativeplaces the University of Aberdeenat the vanguard of internationaldevelopments in education, alignedwith major international universitiessuch as Melbourne, Harvard, Yaleand Hong Kong. This strategy foran ambitious university will bringmany benefits to a forward thinkingAberdeen City and Shire.
“The University’s Rural Digital
Economy Hub has positioned
it at the forefront of creating
Digital Britain, and the UK’s
National Subsea Research
Institute is among other
national initiatives to be
hosted on campus.
49
feel the energy
50
Robert Gordon Universityhas a national andinternational reputationfor excellence in the
provision of highly relevantprofessional education fromUndergraduate to PhD level.
With a diverse and exciting rangeof degree programmes in Nursing,Business, Law, Engineering,Science, Computing, Art, Design,Architecture, Pharmacy and HealthSciences, all taught in state-of-the-art facilities, Robert GordonUniversity can set you on the path to the career you want.
In both 2009 and 2010 The Times‘Good University Guide’ ratedRobert Gordon University as thebest modern university in the UK. All programmes are designedto offer students an effectivecombination of academic study andpractical experience, developed inclose consultation with industry.
In combining the best of theacademic and professional worlds,a degree from the Robert GordonUniversity places graduates aheadof the rest and they have anoutstanding record for graduaterecruitment. The GuardianUniversity Guide 2010 listed RobertGordon University in the top fiveuniversities in the UK for careerprospects, third equal withCambridge University.
Traditional and
Contemporary Although a modern university,Robert Gordon was founded in 1729and has a pedigree in education ofover 250 years. Gray’s School of Art is over 120 years old and has aformidable reputation for producingsome of Scotland’s greatest artists,including Turner prize nomineeCallum Innes. The Scott SutherlandSchool of Architecture and BuiltEnvironment meanwhile celebratedits 50th anniversary last year.
The Garthdee campus is proof ofthe University’s commitment toproviding the very best studentfacilities. Currently undertaking a£160m master plan, the Universitywill have some of the best teachingand research facilities in Europe by2015. This reflects Robert GordonUniversity’s ambition to attract topcalibre academics and students toAberdeen from all over the world.
Working PartnershipsThe University, through its stronglinks with industry, has continued to develop its partnership withleading businesses through studentplacements, scholarships, awards,community projects, research andcorporate training.
Univation Ltd, the University'scommercial arm, generatesrevenue by delivering tailorededucation and training programmesfor corporate clients. Drawing on
feel the energy
“In both 2009 and 2010
The Times ‘Good University
Guide’ rated Robert
Gordon University as the
best modern university in
the UK.
Robert GordonUniversity
Applied Biomedical© Robert Gordon University
Grays School of Art© Robert Gordon University
51
accredited courses from across theUniversity, Univation can provide arange of learning with flexibledelivery options. Clients includeSonatrach of Algeria, theVenezuelan national oil companyPDVSA and PetroChina.
Robert Gordon University isstrongly committed to its links with Further Education and recentlycelebrated with Aberdeen Collegetheir highly successful 2+2 DegreeLink Partnership. This partnershipbrings significant benefits toindividuals and employers in theregion. Through the programmeAberdeen College students with a relevant HNC or HND progressdirectly into year 2 or year 3 of a linked degree at Robert Gordon University.
Success in Research In the 2008 Research AssessmentExercise (RAE), the University wasthe best modern university forresearch in Scotland, with world-class research in eleven disciplines.An area of particular excellencewhere the University is a worldleader is Library & InformationManagement, where 100% of the
research was internationallyrecognised. In addition, threeResearch Institutes were recentlyestablished to provide a focus forthe University’s research activity in Health and Welfare; Innovation,Design and Sustainability; andManagement, Governance and Society.
The Faculty of Health and SocialCare also recently launched theCentre of Obesity Research andEpidemiology (CORE), whichcollaborate with internationallyrecognised experts in obesity to provide an infrastructure forresearch with a primary care,clinical, and socio-economic focus.
These Research Institutes provideRobert Gordon University with a unique strength for furthergrowing its research base andinternational reputation.
Robert Gordon University willcontinue to work shoulder toshoulder with commercial andpublic sector partners to makecourses, and students, relevant forthe evolving economy and society.It is the Professional University.
feel the energy
Robert Gordon University Campus © Robert Gordon University
© Aberdeen City Council
3020752
543020393
563020406
An Independent day school for girls aged 3-18, in the heart of Aberdeen.
To request a prospectus or arrange a tour of the school, please contact the Admissions Office on 01224 595188
www.st-margaret.aberdeen.sch.uk 17 Albyn Place, Aberdeen AB10 1RU
Every picturetells a story
Vigor et Juventas
Albyn School
For more information or to arrange your personalised visit, please contact Gemma Neal on
01224 322408 or email [email protected]. 17-23 Queen’s Road, Aberdeen.
Albyn is a highly successful and thriving independent day school for children and young people aged 2 to 18
years and is situated in the West End of Aberdeen. Albyn aspires to develop the intellectual, creative, practical,
moral, spiritual, physical and social potential of its pupils within an orderly and compassionate environment.
have an understanding of the world around them: past, present and future.
Excellent Academic Results in Science and Art Subjects Co-educational
Small Classes (max 20) A Broad Range of Clubs and Societies Strengths in Sports and Music
Albyn School is recognised as a Charity in Scotland (SCO08392)
3020354
58
3020830
3020492
CityCentre
117
107
109
204
204
260
251
305
305
220
325307
737
307
737
325
224263
267
290
291
268
50
X15917
950
950
X17
503
215
502203
202201
103
59
59
X7
210
Lang Stracht A944
Victoria Road
Skene Rd
B9119Queen’s Road
A93
North Deeside Road
Mid Stocket Rd
Provost FraserDrive
A96Great Northern Road
Westburn Road
Westburn
Dr
Riverside
Dri
ve
A90
Stoneheaven R
oad B
9077
Wel
lingt
on
Roa
d
Hareness Road
Souter Head Rd
CoveRoad
Countesswells Road Great Western
Road
Auchmil l Road
King Street
A95
6
Albert St
B9077
Nort
hA
nder
son
Dri
ve
Albyn Pl.
Abbotswell
Rd
Great
Sout
h ern
Rd
Market St
Tullos PlGrampian Pl Balnagas
k Rd
Howes Rd
Brebner Ter
Ave.
Byro
n
A947
Stoneywood
Road
A947
Stoneywood
B999
A90
to Banchory
to Tarves/Methlick to Peterhead
to Alford
DestinationAirport/KintoreAlfordAlford/WesthillBraemar/PerthEllonNorthfield/BalnagaskDeesideFraserburghTarves/MethlickOldmeldrumPeterheadSouth DeesideStonehavenWesthill
215
X7
X17X15
917
502503
210215
107
117109
103
201202
204203
Market Street
Union
Street
Ho
lbu
rnSt
Powis Place
Hutcheon Street
Kin
gStreet
John St
Alford Pl
Gallow
gateBroad St
Union
TerBridge St
GuildSt
St.Andrew
St
Skene
Square
Rosemount Viaduct
BlackfriarsSt
Wapping St
Wapping St
59
950
50
268
267
263
260
291
290
307
737
305
325
251
51
224
220
�
AberdeenCity Centre
Bus services in AberdeenStagecoach Bluebird operate a wide network of bus services across Aberdeen City and Shire, plan your route using our handy maps below and visit our travel shop at the bus station, or download full timetable information online at www.stagecoachbus.com/bluebird.
Forget the hassle of traffic congestion and parking charges, try the bus for an easy way to get around Aberdeen.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen Bus Station
50X7 X17X15917503 737
268267 291290 305 307 502325
26326051 251224220210 215
107 117109 201 202 204203103
950Calling:59
Arrives - Departs fromGuild Street:
�
Aberdeen city dayrider £2.801 day’s unlimited travel throughout Aberdeen city boundary
Aberdeen megarider £12.507 days’ unlimited travel throughout Aberdeen city boundary
Buy from the driver, more money saving tickets available in the area, visit www.stagecoachbus.com/bluebird for more information.
Details correct at time of print.
Money saving tickets
51
59
Business TourismAberdeen City and Shire is an inspired choice for businesstourism of any kind - whether it’s a conference, an exhibitionor a meeting.
BUSI
NES
S TO
URIS
M
60
61
feel the energy
Aberdeen City and Shire is a fascinating regionthat successfully blendsboth the traditional and
the modern.
The region offers all the majorelements a meeting planner couldask for, including an internationalairport, bustling harbour, traditionaland contemporary conference andmeeting venues, and a plethora ofleisure opportunities from castletrails and outdoor activities to chicrestaurants and upmarket nightclubs.
Aberdeen City and Shire is wellknown for scientific achievement,culture, commerce and history aswell as the international researchthat has resulted in two universities in Aberdeen holdingfour Nobel prizes between them. In keeping with its cutting-edgehistory of advancements, Aberdeen offers modern-daymeeting venues and technology in abundance, situated amongstmore traditional surroundings.
Business tourism contributes anestimated £90m per annum to thelocal economy in Aberdeen City andShire (20% of total tourism spend).Expenditure by business
visitors is twice that of leisurevisitors and the average length ofstay by a conference delegate inAberdeen City and Shire is 3.3 days.
In addition to the state-of-the art Aberdeen Exhibition andConference Centre, whichcomfortably accommodates up to 2,000 delegates and provides9000sq m of exhibition space,attendees can gather in the elegantMusic Hall, high quality conferencehotels, baronial country mansionsand university buildings. Galaevents can be planned at nearbycastles, Elphinstone Hall or in theAberdeen Art Gallery. Five-starrestaurants and country whiskydistilleries are a stone’s throw fromthe city centre and provide the idealoption for more intimate events.
Aberdeen City and Shire is alsohome to stunning scenery. Headout of the city and within 15minutes you can find yourself in the rolling countryside of RoyalDeeside, sightseeing in castlecountry, taking the coastal trailnorth or south or heading forSpeyside – the whisky capital of the world.
Duff House, Aberdeenshire© Aberdeenshire Council
Cycling Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
Braemar Castle © Aberdeenshire Council
Accommodation
Aberdeen City has around 4,000bedrooms in hotels and propertiesthat are classified between 3-starand 5-star. In addition there is also accommodation in other city centre hotels, guesthouses,university campus and in a varietyof country houses and hotelsthroughout Aberdeenshire.
Major chains such as Marriott,Hilton and Thistle are available forbusiness meetings, while smallermansion houses offer upscaleamenities such as spa services,indoor pools and business centres.Accommodation is also seeing anew wave of development withover 2,329 additional hotel roomsplanned to come on-stream overthe next three years.
New Developments
and Upgrades
Malmaison Aberdeen is a striking addition to hotel choice inAberdeen. Formerly the Queen’sHotel, the building has beentransformed into a stunning luxuryhotel with the usual Malmaisonstyle and flair for design. 80
sumptuous rooms and suites, 2 even have private terraces.
New Holiday Inn Express
adjacent to Aberdeen Exhibitionand Conference Centre opened in 2008, providing an additional 135 bedrooms.
Caledonian Thistle situated in the heart of Aberdeen had a major£4.8m refurbishment.
Altens Thistle a £3.5mrefurbishment programme has just been completed.
Skene House Hotel Suites
has expanded its large Aberdeenportfolio and invested £4m inrenovation and conversion of aformer church, transforming it into a residential venue with fourhigh-quality meeting rooms and 37 bedrooms.
Micasa ApartHotel Aberdeen’snewest luxury apartment hotel hasrecently opened in the city centrein the top three floors of the formerHouse of Fraser department storeon the corner of Union Street andMarket Street. Micasa offers 34fully serviced one, two and three
“Major chains such as
Marriott, Hilton and Thistle
are available for business
meetings, while smaller
mansion houses offer
upscale amenities
62
feel the energy
bedroom flats, with 24-hourreception and continental breakfastdelivered to each suite.
The Old Townhouse at theUniversity of Aberdeen has beenrestored, offering a historic venuefor smaller events and meetings.
Jurys Inn opening August 2009with 203 bedrooms, 4 meetingrooms. Located in the city centre ofAberdeen, this new property will beconnected to train and bus stationsand to the exciting new shoppingdevelopment of Union Square.
Park Inn Hotel situated in the heart of Aberdeen will have 184bedrooms, 5 meeting rooms,fitness room and restaurant and bar.
Ibis Hotel also in the heart of the city is due for completion inJanuary 2010 with 107 bedrooms.This 3-star hotel will have 24-hourreception, restaurant and bar.
Marcliffe Hotel at Pitfodels a £50mextension to the 5-star luxury hotelproviding a total of 228 bedrooms.
Bells Hotel on Union Street willundergo a £35m redevelopmentthat will form a 10 storey high 217-bedroom hotel.
Bauhaus Hotel will openSeptember 2009, offering 40 newbedrooms located in the heart ofAberdeen city centre. The hotel willhave a restaurant, two bars and willprovide exceptional quality at anaffordable price.
Future Development
Trump Resort Hotel at Balmedie
Donald Trump plans to create the greatest golf course in theworld and build a 5-star 450-bedroom luxury hotel withconference facilities.
Aberdeen
Convention BureauAberdeen Convention Bureau is aworking public-private partnershipbetween Aberdeen City Council,Visit Scotland and local privatesector businesses. Last yearAberdeen Convention Bureau wasinvolved in attracting 66 UK andinternational conferences, worthover £11m to the local economy.The Bureau’s strategic role is toraise awareness of Aberdeen City and Shire as a conferencedestination. Its main functions are:
• To promote the region as abusiness tourism destination
• To increase the volume and valueof discretionary business tourismcoming into the area
• To provide information andreservations service to meetingplanners and delegates
• To work with and providepromotional opportunities for thelocal business tourism industry
As well as undertaking pro-activesales and marketing campaignsAberdeen Convention Bureauprovides a variety of free servicesdesigned specifically to supportconference organisers.
These include:
• Venue location services
• Preparation of bid documentsand bid support
• Delegation accommodationbooking service
• Advice on social programmes
• Site inspections
• Familiarisation visits
• Area information
• Delegate Information
• Presentation materials
• Advance event promotion
“Attracting conferences that
relate to subject matter
linked with the city region’s
expertise in oil, gas, bio
technology, health, food
science, environment and
renewable energy is a key
objective for the Bureau.”
Jacky Selway, Manager of
Aberdeen Convention Bureau
63
feel the energy
Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre(AECC) is a purpose-built conference and
exhibition venue with over 20years of experience at providinga professional and friendlyservice to conference organisersfrom the UK and overseas.
AECC prides itself in being acomplete package venue. Due to geographical location and thecompetition within the UK, theAECC has striven to build a venuethat offers the client a “one stopshop” offering services unique to a venue where most things aretraditionally subcontracted.
As well as varied meeting andevent spaces, the team -encompassing Sales andMarketing, Conference andExhibition Management,Professional ConferenceOrganising, Audio Visual/IT,Electrical Services, Arena and a full in-house Catering Team - isdedicated, flexible and passionate.They offer a unique integratedapproach to meeting their clients’ requirements.
The Centre features 9,000 squaremetres of permanent exhibitionspace, which can be expanded withtemporary structures. The largesthall seats 2,000 delegates. There
Aberdeen Exhibition
and Conference Centre
64
feel the energy
AECC by night © AECC
are two multi-purpose suites that seat up to 700, a 440-seatauditorium, a state-of-the-artconference room for 240 delegatesand 20 breakout rooms. The AECC also has excellent disabledfacilities including accessibility forwheelchair users, elevators withBraille buttons and a permanentinduction loop for the hard ofhearing in some halls as well as portable induction loops.
One of the Centre’s majoradvantages is flexibility. Themajority of the larger halls can be subdivided, allowing separateconferences and exhibitions to run simultaneously. Breakoutrooms have also been clusteredconveniently round the larger halls,making them ideal for syndicatesessions or roundtable discussions,as well as stand alone facilities forsmaller meetings. The exhibitionteam hold a stock of 2000m2 ofshell scheme so clients need notlook elsewhere for a competitiveand hassle-free exhibition build.This gives greater control over thevenue, benefiting the client bysaving time and money.
The AECC hosts many high profile social events. Since opening, the variety and volume of events taking place at the Centre has grown significantly andincludes international congresses,trade and public exhibitions,concerts, comedy shows, livesporting events, award dinners,corporate dinner dances and small meetings.
As the largest permanent venue for dinner dances in Aberdeen City and Shire, the AECC recentlyworked with organisingcommittees to help design,
produce and host the Aberdeenand Grampian Chamber ofCommerce Northern Star BusinessAwards - a black tie awardsceremony and dinner for 1,000guests - as well as the mainregional paper, The Press &Journal’s prestigious Energy Ball for 1,400 industry executives.
The AECC’s roots are closely tied to one of the world’s largestenergy events, Offshore Europe.The biennial SPE Offshore Europeconference is the largest oil & gastechnical meeting outside NorthAmerica. Attracting a globalaudience of engineers, technicalspecialists, industry leaders andexperts, the exhibition showcasesthe leading service companies andoperators from around the globewith the technology and solutionsto optimise exploration andproduction excellence.
Since the first OE on the AECC site in 1975 and more recentredevelopment in 2003, the venue has grown alongside thisprestigious event while expandinginto other sectors of business.Industry professionals from 96 countries worldwide attendedthe last event in September 2007,with the total attendance of 40,179 breaking the all-time record for attendees.
While going to print plans were in place for the 2009 OffshoreEurope event from 8-11thSeptember 2009. Over 1,400exhibitors were expected to attend. The size of the 4-day eventwas expected to surpass delegateand exhibitor numbers fromprevious shows.
65
feel the energy
“One of the Centre’s major
advantages is flexibility.
The majority of the larger
halls can be subdivided,
allowing separate
conferences and exhibitions
to run simultaneously.
Aerial shot of AECC during Offshore Europe
Leisure TourismWelcome to Aberdeen City and Shire where you’ll find the verybest of Scotland, from the mountains to the sea. A land ofunique heritage and inspiring contrasts; Aberdeen City and Shireoffers everything from vibrant city life and romantic hideaways,to relaxing breaks and a host of outdoor experiences.
LEIS
URE
TOUR
ISM
66
We want you to makethe most of your visitto this exceptional partof Scotland so we
have provided this guide of all the best things to see and do…..
Escape to a different land withstriking scenery, welcoming peopleand a unique quality of life. Explorecastles and gardens, ancient stonecircles, royal heritage and amagnificently rich and variedcoastline on our themed trails. Treatyourself to some great shopping anda buzzing nightlife or find some ofthe finest, freshest food you’ve evertasted. Get active in the mountains or on the beach; by rivers or inforests; on foot, bike, skis or boat.
Immerse yourself in Aberdeen City and Shire’s unique culture with museums, visitor attractions,highland games, festivals and ceilidhs galore.
The city of Aberdeen is the sparklingjewel at the heart of the region. With its breath-taking architecture,colourful parks and gardens andvariety of shops, bars and restaurantsthe city is full of welcoming charm.
A city with a rich and historicalindustrial back-bone, Aberdeen isrenowned for its architectural andbuilt landscape, providing a sparklingbackdrop to the city’s other passion.Blossoming at the seams, Aberdeenflowers - crocuses, daffodils, cherryblossom, rhododendrons and roses -bring stunning colours to the citycentre and outskirts each season.
Aberdeen has a long, varied andcolourful history. Scotland’s thirdoldest university was founded here in1495, and St Machar’s, the oldest ofthe city’s three cathedrals, is arguablythe oldest granite cathedral in theworld. Old Aberdeen, the old heart of the city, reveals several interestingquirks and stories dating backhundreds of years and, in the high
street, you can still see the originalmarket cross. But the star of OldAberdeen has to be Kings College;stand here and you’ll feel as if you’vestepped back in time.
The sea provides a natural, and oftenfiercely impressive, backdrop to thecity. Often a startling blue, edged bya long, clean, golden sandy beachpopular with surfers; the coast is anirresistible draw for city dwellers andvisitors alike.
Aberdeen’s city centre is alive andbuzzing at night. Style bars, clubs and pubs jostle for position amongsta huge choice of well-establishedrestaurants. His Majesty’s Theatrehosts an exciting, varied programmeincluding opera, ballet and top WestEnd shows, and you’ll be spoiled forchoice of cinemas and concerts invenues large and small.
Aberdeenshire is known asScotland’s Castle Country and rightlyso, with literally hundreds of castlesto choose from. Breath-taking ruinscling to cliff tops, stately homes and imposing fortresses dot thelandscape, each and every one with their own tale to tell. A selectionof 13 of the world’s most strikingcastles can be found in the heart of Aberdeenshire on Scotland’sCastle Trail.
Every type of castle is represented in Aberdeenshire from romantic ruins like 12th century Dunnottar to the glorious ruin of Huntly Castle.The graceful towers and finials ofCrathes Castle by Banchory make an elegant backdrop for one ofBritain’s most stunning gardens.
Set amongst the magnificent sceneryof Royal Deeside, in the shadows ofLochnagar, is the Balmoral Estate.Purchased by Queen Victoria in 1848,the Estate has been the Scottishhome to the British Royal family eversince. In her journals, Queen Victoriadescribed Balmoral as "my dear
paradise in the Highlands" and todayit is a focus for visitors from all overthe world.
Many have wonderful antiques and works of art, shown in the verysurroundings they were designed for, including Fyvie and Duff House,the premier country home for theNational Galleries of Scotland’spermanent collection.
Some castles are open all year round, others during the main holidayseason. All welcome visitors todiscover their place in history, thedomestic life of those who lived andworked there, their passed-downstories, secrets, myths and tales -and ghosts!
This is a land forged by its people – proud and traditional,enterprising and inventive but also warm and welcoming.
The evidence of an ancient past iseverywhere in Aberdeenshire - inthe distinct communities and theculture and people of Aberdeen City and Shire. Trace the uniqueheritage in museums, heritagecentres, historic sites or stone circles, where history comes to life at every turn.
67
River Dee © Aberdeenshire Council
68
feel the energy
Eating out
Scotland has always beenknown for its abundantand exceptional naturallarder, and in few places is
this more evident than AberdeenCity and Shire. With the freshestseafood coming in to the region’sharbours each day, and thesurrounding countryside andrivers providing internationallyrenowned beef, lamb and salmon;you are spoilt for choice when itcomes to eating out in region.
Food and drink is widely regardedas one of the best ways to trulyexperience a destination with all its local traditions, heritage andculture. In Aberdeen you can enjoythe very best local produce, at its absolute freshest. Thanks toAberdeen’s prosperous economyand vibrant nightlife, manyexcellent chefs have chosen tomake this their home, so you’ll findaward-winning restaurants, cafés,pubs and even take-always, whichtake a real pride in serving the verybest; whether it’s traditional localdishes, or international cuisine fromall corners of the globe - Japanese,Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Frenchand even Hungarian.
Dining Highlights
Aberdeen City
Silver Darling
Pocra Quay, North Pier, AberdeenTel: 01224 576229www.silverdarlingrestaurant.co.uk
In a unique position overlooking the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour,Silver Darling specialises in seafoodwith a French flavour.
Café 52
The Green, AberdeenTel: 01224 590094www.cafe52.net
Comfort, seasonality, avant garde, locally sourced food,continually changing menus, great atmosphere.
Café Boheme Restaurant
23 Windmill Brae, AberdeenTel: 01224 210677www.cafebohemerestaurant.co.uk
Specialising in French and seafood cuisine. Decadent Parisian surrounding, jazz, candlelitat night. A fusion of modern andtraditional food with a twist ofindividual inspiration.
Foyer Restaurant and Gallery
Trinity Church, Crown Street,AberdeenTel: 01224 582277www.foyerrestaurant.com
The Foyer Restaurant and Gallery is a stylish restaurantserving innovative and excitingmeals. Set in an inspiring venuedisplaying contemporary art,providing an ever-changingenvironment.
Aberdeenshire
The Creel Inn
Catterline, StonehavenTel: 01569 750254www.thecreelinn.co.uk
Offering seafood and Caledoniancuisine specialities, all from thebest local produce set amidstdramatic coastline and spectacular views.
Eat on The Green
Udny GreenTel: 01651 842337www.eatonthegreen.co.uk
Fine food complemented byattentive, unobtrusive service in arelaxed setting. From the minuteyou walk through the door, you will be looked after with traditionalhospitality. A warm welcome isassured. Award-winning chef CraigWilson offers innovative lunch anddinner menus. He has created animaginative range of contemporaryand classic dishes using speciallyselected, fresh local produce toensure that Eat on the Green is an experience to be savoured.
The Milton Restaurant
& Conservatory
BanchoryTel: 01330 844474www.themilton.co.uk
Situated at the gateway to RoyalDeeside and the start of the Castleand Whisky Trails (Crathes Castleopposite), the award winningMilton Restaurant andConservatory offers exquisite foodin picturesque surroundings withthe highest standards of service.
3021246
F E N N E L R E S T A U R A N T
We work very hard to get things right at Fennel –
it may be the simple things like the polished
wine glasses and crisp linen or serving a homely
favourite like the Steak and Ale Pie. Then again
it might be the subtle things like choosing just
the right music or cooking the Venison to mouth-
watering perfection. Do we succeed? You will
have to judge for yourself.
We are here every day – breakfast, lunch
and dinner.
Open seven days, 10am to 10pm
FENNELRESTAURANT
10 BURN LANE
INVERURIE
AB51 4UZ
01467 670065
WWW.FENNELRESTAURANT.CO.UK
69
70
Aberdeen City and Shire
Attractions
feel the energy
Aberdeen City
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Schoolhill, AberdeenTel: 01224 523700Open Tue-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 14.00-17.00
Aberdeen’s splendid Art Galleryhouses an important fine artcollection with particularly goodexamples of 19th, 20th and 21stcentury works, a rich and diverseapplied art collection, an excitingprogramme of special exhibitions, a gallery shop and café.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Shiprow, AberdeenTel: 01224 337700Open Tues-Sat 10.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-15.00
The City’s award-winning MaritimeMuseum brings the history of theNorth Sea to life. View displays andexciting exhibitions on the offshoreoil industry, shipbuilding, fishingand clipper ships then visit theshop and licensed café.
The Gordon
Highlanders Museum
St Luke’s, Viewfield Road,AberdeenTel: 01224 311200www.gordonhighlanders.com Call or visit website for opening hours
Relive the most compelling anddramatic story of one of the BritishArmy’s most famous regiments.Housed in the former home ofleading Scottish artist, George Reid.Tea room, shop and gardens.
Provost Skene’s House
Guestrow, AberdeenTel: 01224 641086Open Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00
Dating from 1545, Provost Skene’s House houses an attractiveseries of period room settings, a series of religious paintings in the Painted Gallery, changingfashions in the Costume Galleryand a cellar café.
Aberdeenshire
Archaeolink Prehistory Park
Berryhill, Oyne Village, InschTel: 01464 851500www.archaeolink.co.uk Open April-Oct, 10.00-17.00 daily
An opportunity to journey back in time to experience the world of our ancestors 6,000 years ago. Interactive displays,reconstructions, audio-visual show,restaurant and gift shop.
Cairngorms National Park
www.cairngorms.co.uk
The Cairngorms National Park takes in some of the mostspectacular landscapes in Britain,from the wild tundra of the highmountain tops to the seclusion ofthe ancient pinewoods. Just asimportant are the friendly townsand villages to be found mainlyalong the Rivers Don, Dee andSpey. Don’t miss: Loch Muick andLochnagar Wildlife Reserve, GlenMuick, by Ballater, A stunningnature reserve including red deerreserve and visitor centre.“
The Cairngorms National
Park takes in some of the
most spectacular
landscapes in Britain,
from the wild tundra of
the high mountain tops
to the seclusion of the
ancient pinewoods.
Loch Muick © Aberdeenshire Council
Crathes Castle Garden and
Estate (The National Trust
for Scotland)
On A93 by Banchory.Tel: 0844 493 2166www.nts.org.uk Seasonal opening hours - call orvisit website
Situated in the heart of RoyalDeeside, this late 16th Centurycastle is sure to provide amemorable experience for all ages. Discover the intriguing roundtowers, turrets and original paintedceilings in the castle, then explorethe famous gardens and enjoy awalk through the wider estate.Restaurant and shop. CrathesCastle is only one of thirteenproperties on Aberdeenshire’ssignposted Castle Trail.
Glen Garioch Distillery
Distillery Road, Old MeldrumTel: 01651 873450www.glengarioch.com Open all year, Mon-Fri 10.00-15.30daily guided tours
For over 200 years Glen Gariochdistillery has been handcrafting a beautiful range of single malt scotch whiskies; visitors are invited to come along and try a dram.
Museum of
Scottish Lighthouses
Kinnaird Head, Fraserburgh,Aberdeenshire AB43 9DUTel: 01346 511022www.lighthousemuseum.org.uk
Open all year round, 7 days, itfeatures Scotland’s first lighthouse(1787), comprehensive displays and the story of the LighthouseStevensons. Visit includes guidedtour of Kinnaird Head castle andlighthouse. Café and shop. Summerand winter hours, please telephonebefore visiting.
71
feel the energy
“For over 200 years Glen
Garioch distillery has been
handcrafting a beautiful
range of single malt scotch
whiskies, visitors are invited
to come along and try a dram.
Glen Garioch Distillery, Aberdeenshire
Fraserburgh Lighthouse © Aberdeenshire Council
What’s On
feel the energy
Whatever time of yearyou visit, AberdeenCity and Shire’spacked calendar
always offers a wide range of entertainment and events.
Year round entertainment is onoffer including jazz, contemporary,classical and traditional musicfestivals, and the AberdeenInternational Youth Festival. For atraditional break, experience theHighland Games in Aberdeen Cityin June and the Royal BraemarHighland Gathering in earlySeptember, or the agriculturalshows like the Turriff Show;Scotland’s largest two dayagricultural show.
One of Scotland's largest literaryfestivals takes over AberdeenUniversity in May, with a packedprogramme of readings,workshops, lectures and debates,not to mention a few particularlyinfluential music and film events too.
For visitors and sports fans alike,there is the ‘International FootballFestival’. Something of a localinstitution, the event has become a certified highlight of the summermonths, with teams of youngstersfrom all over the world coming to celebrate and compete in thislively, fun and entertaining week of football.
For festival celebrations, AberdeenCity and Shire is famed for it'sevents calendar. Even in winter themuseums and art galleries hold
interesting temporary and nicheexhibitions and, of course, fewfestivals can be more symbolicthan the Stonehaven FireballFestival on Hogmanay itself.
If you want to venture out of thecity, then head for a dram or two at ‘The Spirit of Speyside WhiskyFestival’ in May; an experience in itself where the heritage andimportance of Scotch whisky iscelebrated through tastings, music,education and gatherings. Learn the traditions of a small coastaltown at ‘The Scottish TraditionalBoat Festival’ in Portsoy or discovera whole diary of Highland gamesstarting in June and finishing withthe traditionally impressive RoyalBraemar Highland Gathering inearly September.
Aberdeen City and Shire has anincredible variety of events andfestivals to suit all tastes and ages,with many of them being theperfect way to meet the locals and enjoy the city.
Key events
May – Word
www.abdn.ac.uk/word
An exhilarating mix of over 60authors and 130 inspirationalevents for all ages and tastescovering poetry and prose, theatre,music, lectures, filmscreenings,workshops and exhibitions. Locatedin the magnificent surroundings of the 500 year old Kings College in Old Aberdeen.“
Aberdeen City and Shire has
an incredible variety of
events and festivals to suit
all tastes and ages, with
many of them being the
perfect way to meet the
locals and enjoy the city.
72
Portsoy Traditional Boat Festival © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
Aberdeen International Street Market© Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
June – Taste of Grampian
www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk
The region’s main food festival withcelebrity cookery demonstrations,wine tasting and food stalls.
July – Scottish Traditional Boat
Festival, Portsoy
www.scottishtraditionalboatfestival.co.uk
All kinds of small boats fill the little harbour at Portsoy for a fullweekend of family entertainment.Approximately 80 traditional boatsparticipate each year and visitorsare able to learn about seagoingmatters and the maritime industrythrough demonstrations andexhibits whilst being entertained by a non-stop programme of music,dance and drama.
July & August – Aberdeen
International Youth Festival
www.aiyf.org
The world’s leading festival ofyouth arts. Brings together the best young dance, music andtheatre companies from across the world.
September – The Braemar
Royal Highland Gathering
and Games
www.braemargathering.org
A true Highland event which isannually attended by the Royalfamily. International athletescompeting in ‘heavy’ and ‘track’events; dancers and mass pipebands; a hill race up Morrone andall in the surroundings of heatherclad hills. Great atmosphereattracting both locals and visitorsfrom all over the world.
October – Sound Music Festival
sound is an exciting festival of newmusic in Aberdeen City and Shire,driven by the passion to make newmusic more accessible toaudiences of all ages andbackgrounds. Create a live music
experience that leaves its audienceeager to explore sound in newways. This wide range of musicand sound (classical, contemporary,improvisation, traditional, popular,jazz, experimental, ambient, sound art, electro-acoustic…) isintroduced through a variety ofevents including concerts, talks,installations, and workshops.
November –
Aberdeen Winter Festival
Programme of winter events kicks off with fireworks atAberdeen beach and includesceilidhs, concerts, pantomimes,street markets and Christmasthemed events.
December/Hogmanay –
Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony
What is commonly called "TheFireballs" is a colorful annualfestival, unique to Stonehaven,attracting thousands of spectatorsin festive mood. The ceremony is not only Stonehaven's way ofwelcoming the New Year, but italso provides a gathering point forthe town's "ain folk", some homefrom distant lands, to greetrelatives and old friends, minglinghappily with visitors from home andoverseas who have come to enjoya guid Scots Hogmanay. Aroundforty five participants (the numbervaries year by year) parade up anddown the High Street in the OldTown from the Mercat Cross at the east end of the street near theharbour to the Cannon embeddednose down at the west end (some175 yards). They swing fireballsaround their heads with gusto andin spectacular style, the dark skiesmemorably illuminated.
feel the energy
“This wide range of music
and sound (classical,
contemporary, improvisation,
traditional, popular, jazz,
experimental, ambient,
sound art, electro-acoustic…)
is introduced through a
variety of events including
concerts, talks, installations,
and workshops.
73
Lonach Games, Aberdeenshire© Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
74
feel the energy
Retail Where to shop
Indulge yourself in Aberdeen’sshopping malls, departmentstores and small independentshops. Here you’ll find
famous names and major chainstores, with new developmentsattracting more all the time.
Take time to explore every nookand cranny of the city’s West Endwhere unique designer boutiquesare waiting to offer personalisedservice and attention to detail.More than any other area, the West End has all the ingredients to make it stand out with fantasticboutiques, art and music shops and trendy delicatessens.
To sample delicious local produce,there are regular farmers marketsboth within the city and in a varietyof Aberdeenshire towns, offeringhome grown fruit and vegetables,
jam, chutneys and fresh produce. Treat yourself to the latest designerfashions or unique Scottish craftsand produce; whatever you arelooking for Aberdeen has somethingto suit everyone with any budget.
The Bon Accord &
St Nicholas CentresOne of Aberdeen City and Shire'spremier retail destination, the BonAccord and St Nicholas Centres,offer a shopping experience whichis second to none. Based in theheart of the city, the adjoiningcentres boast a wide number of top high street names, helping toconsolidate their reputation as thedestination for fashion in Aberdeen.
The MallWith everything from jewellery tojeans and books to beauty productson offer, the Mall is in the middle of Union Street right in the heart of the city.“
Treat yourself to the latest
designer fashions or unique
Scottish crafts and produce;
whatever you are looking
for Aberdeen has something
to suit everyone with
any budget.
75
feel the energyThe AcademyFor the discerning shopper, highfashion stores and a range ofbuzzing restaurants awaits visitorsto the Academy with a shoppingexperience surrounding a centralcourtyard, perfect for alfrescodining.
Union SquareA new retail and leisuredevelopment within the heart ofthe city centre, Union Square willoffer shoppers an abundance ofnew stores, a new 10 screencinema, hotel and ample newparking facilities for city centreshoppers. Some of the popularretailers and restaurateurs at UnionSquare include Apple, Zara, M&S,Mamas & Papas and Yo! Sushi.
The West EndIf designer fashion is what youdesire, you’ll find all the hottestcollections in Aberdeen’s West End.The west end of Union Street hostsa range of designer boutiques andsmall independent stores offering amore personalised service from thelarger shopping malls.
AberdeenshireAway from the city, throughout the many rural towns and villagesof Aberdeenshire you’ll find a rangeof fantastic independent shopsstocking local produce, whetherfood and drink or arts and culturerelated. From traditional Scottishmarket towns, to coastal villages,the selection is vast and theexperience one to relish.
“One of Aberdeen City and
Shire's premier retail
destination, the Bon Accord
and St Nicholas Centres, offer
a shopping experience which
is second to none.
West End Shopping, Aberdeen © Aberdeen City and Shire Brand
St Nicholas Shopping Centre, Aberdeen© The Bon Accord & St Nicholas Centres
We have the fashion.
You’ve got the style.
w w w . a b e r d e e n f a s h i o n . c o m
Shopping with style –It’s the Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres
If Shopping tops the list of your favourite pastimes, then the
Bon Accord and St Nicholas Centres won’t disappoint.
From a host of top high street names, you’ll find all the
labels and quality outlets you’d expect in a major city.
Situated right in the heart of Aberdeen, at the bottom
end of Union Street, just before it meets the historic
Castlegate, it has a fabulous range of stores and is the
prime retailing area in Aberdeen. Serving a huge,
prosperous, cosmopolitan catchment area, it’s also a
popular destination for European shoppers taking a
weekend break.
One of the largest shopping areas in the city, the Bon
Accord and St Nicholas Centres are located side by
side and have three floors extending to 630,000 sq ft
over two levels. Built in a serpentine shape to maximise
shop unit frontage, the Bon Accord Centre is covered
by a barrel vaulted glazed roof with a 90-ft high
glazed dome.
The great range of excellent stores ensures that you’ll
always be able to find exactly what you're looking for,
whether it’s that exclusive outfit, or something a little
quirky that you’re after.
Fashionistas will have the pick of the season’s latest
styles with Flagship stores which include Topshop,
Topman, River Island, Miss Selfridge, Jane Norman,
New Look and Monsoon, one of the largest in Scotland,
and the biggest Next in Scotland. The Bon Accord also
has the only Karen Millen and Kurt Geiger stores
outside Scotland’s central belt, and many stores have
collections not available anywhere else in Aberdeen
City and Shire. Oasis and Warehouse both have extensive
ranges while Coast is one of only nine stores across
the UK to stock the coveted Couture Range.
Luxury beauty ranges are also available in Boots, which
has the biggest beauty hall in Scotland, while
John Lewis’s recently revamped beauty department is
the exclusive stockist in Aberdeen of Bobbi Brown,
Liz Earle and Sisley products.
And for the ultimate girls’ day out, book a John Lewis
make-over day which will include a make-over in the
Beauty Hall, a consultation with their personal stylist,
and a champagne lunch.
If you are gift shopping, The Early Learning Centre, The
Disney Store and John Lewis will have the ideal toy to
please youngsters whatever their age, or go to Currys,
John Lewis and Game for the latest range of
‘boys’ toys’ and the latest gadgets.
And if energy levels are beginning to dip, a Costa Coffee
will revive the most weary shopper, while the
restaurants within the Upper Mall, John Lewis and
Marks and Spencer, located at either end of the
Centre, remain a popular rendezvous for a casual lunch
and a catch-up with friends. And of course, there’s a
Starbucks, with an outdoor sitting area, if you fancy a
spot of café culture.
So for shopping with style, head for the Bon Accord and
St Nicholas Centres, Aberdeen City and Shire’s premier
shopping destination.
3020683
3020703
78
79
3020622
21 Church Street, Cairnbulg, Aberdeenshire AB43 8YN
[email protected] (t) 01346 582 470
(m) 07836 561 297 (f) 01346 583 104
CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT • ANY VENUE • ANYWHERE
Based in north east Scotland, we startedin 1982 offering clay pigeon shooting and fishing, we now provide a large range of activities. Our Main Aim is for customers to enjoy their day in a friendly, safe and controlled environment.
We organise events to clients requirements regarding:Time available • Number of participantsBudget • Choice of activities • LocationWeather
We provide: All equipmentExperienced staff • Public liability insurance coverSafety briefings • Instruction
For a list of our many activites, please visit our website
BUCHAN CORPORATE ACTIVITIES BUCHAN CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
When you have finished with this publication
please recycle it.
Most recycled products offer big savings in terms ofenergy consumptionand raw materials.
Recycling paperinvolves 70% less energy consumptionthan making virgin paper.
In just seven days, yourpaper could come
back as a newspaper or magazine.
For more information visit www.recyclenow.com
Businesses are currently responsible for about half of all the UK’s carbon emissions*
The UK government has committed to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by signing the Kyoto Treaty. But if we are to meet our targets, businesses across the UK must lead the way. So if you’re not already looking at ways to save energy, now is the time to start.
Listen to your planetReducing the amount of the energy you use is one of
the fastest, most effective ways to save your business
money and it will also help you combat climate change.
* Source: www.carbontrust.co.uk
ACE Winches is a global specialist in the design,
manufacture and hire of hydraulic winches and
deck machinery for the offshore oil and gas,
marine and renewable energy markets.
We deliver exceptional service and performance for our clients in the world’s harshest operating environments and we always endeavour to exceed our clients’ expectations while maintaining our excellent record of quality and safety.
ACE Hire Equipment offers a comprehensive range of winch and deck machinery equipment for use on floating vessels, offshore installations and land-based projects.
ACE Manufacturing provides turnkey solutions with a proven track record in the design, manufacture, testing and installation of standard and bespoke winches and deck machinery.
ACE Hire Personnel provides multi-disciplined personnel qualified to travel, commission and operate our complete range of deck and platform equipment worldwide.
Montbletton, Banff, Aberdeenshire AB45 3QJ, UKTel: +44 (0)1261 [email protected] www.ace-winches.co.uk
The Deck Machinery Specialists:
Engineering design & project management
All sizes of winches for sale & hire
Bespoke manufacturing solutions available
Specialist offshore personnel hire
Hydraulic sales & service
Spooling winch hire
750 tonne winch test bed facility
Wire rope & umbilical spooling facility
For winches and deck machinery
torque to the experts
Our Services
Belmar offer a complete engineering service to BS EN ISO 9001(2000)
and ISO 14001(2004).
Please visit our website for detailed pages of machining capacities,
inspection and gauges below:
Milling Section. Turning Section. Machine shop support.
Quality Assurance. Weld cladding equipment.
Engineering Services Ltd
Belmar Engineering is one of the most advanced sub contract precision
engineering workshops servicing the Oil and Gas industries in the North
Sea and world-wide.
An imaginative and on-going programme of reinvestment in computer
based technology has meant that Belmar Engineering work at the very
frontiers of technology.
We are quite simply the most precise of precision engineering companies.
About us
Belmar Engineering was formed in
1975 by two young Scottish
Engineers to support the emerging
North Sea Oil & Gas Industry and
offered a fast and personal response
in steel fabrication and basic
machining.
The company has expanded some
50 times since then and has
developed into one of the most
advanced engineering facilities in
Scotland.
Our people
One third of our workforce have
more than 20 years experience
within Belmar and as a result know
our customers’ requirements.
Working as a team results in a
smooth and professional attitude to
the job ensuring products are manu-
factured quickly and to specification.
Based in Aberdeen in Europe's Oil
capital we deliver to every corner of
the globe.
Abbotswell Road, West Tullos, Aberdeen AB12 3AJ t: +44 (0) 1224 875038 f: +44 (0) 1224 879125 e: [email protected] www.belmar.co.uk
How we operate
Belmar offers a comprehensive service from assisting our customers designers and procurement personnel, working closely with their engineers, to manufacturing components and strings of tools to exacting tolerances and specifications 24 hours a dayseven days per week. Design changes and modifications are treated as priority ensuring a speedy throughput of components.
OFFICIAL GUIDE