Explores the rich and fascinating history of Aberdeen through an examination of some of its greatest architectural treasures.
Aberdeen has been synonymous with oil ever since the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s, making it the unofficial 'Oil Capital of the World'. But Scotland's third largest city has been a place of great economic importance since the development of the shipbuilding and fishing industries led to the construction of the present harbour in the early nineteenth century. Nicknamed the 'Granite City', due to the locally quarried grey granite that was used in the city's buildings, Aberdeen has a proud and distinctive identity and its extraordinary history is embodied in the many fine buildings that have shaped the city. Aberdeen in 50 Buildings explores the history of this rich and vibrant city through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From notable buildings such as the Town and County Bank, the Music Hall, the Trinity Hall, the new Town House and, of course, Alexander Marshall Mackenzie's extension to Marischal College, the second largest granite building in the world (after the Escorial, Madrid) to more recent additions such as the Bon Accord and St Nicholas shopping centres, this unique study celebrates the city's architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Author and architectural historian Jack Gillon guides the reader on a tour of the citys historic buildings and modern architectural marvels.
