Delegates Pack
Contents.
Page 2. Introduction – Aberdeen & RACH
Page 3. Travel Arrangements – Flights.
Page 4. Travel Arrangements – Car, Sea, Rail.
Page 5. Maps – Foresterhill Hospital Site.
Page 6. Maps – Surrounding area.
Page 7. Accommodation – The Atholl Hotel. (£ 75/night approx)
Page 8. Premier Lodge. (£ 46/night approx)
The Queens Hotel. (£ 70/night approx)
Page 9 & 10. Simpson’s Hotel (£ 95/night approx)
Page 11-13. Spare Time - Things to see & do in Aberdeen.
Page 13. Contacts - Useful Phone numbers.
Page 14. Registration form.
There will be a social dinner at Simpson’s hotel on Thursday evening, 8pm. – details on registration form.
The Granite City, The Flower of Scotland, The Silver City by the Golden Sands…Aberdeen wears its titles with pride. A prosperous cosmopolitan city, with a historical old town, Aberdeen has one of Scotland’s most striking skylines. Here is a quintessentially northern city, whose granite makes buildings sparkle after rain; whose outlook is across the seas rather than to the Central Belt; and whose speech retains the Scots idiom as part of everyday communication.
The granite buildings such as Marishal College, His Majesty’s Theatre and St. Machar’s Cathedral give the city its distinctive look, whilst historical Old Aberdeen and the fishing village of Footdee, have an incredible air of time gone by. /
Some things don’t change. You cannot escape the sea here, not since it was founded as a Royal burgh back in 1124. The influence of the harbour is everywhere (as are the gulls!), and the harvest of the North Sea continues. Where once streamlined clipper ships left the slipways for the China tea trade, now oil executives from all over the world drive to their comfortable homes in the suburbs.
/ Aberdeen has won the ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition many times and has taken its floral pulling power on to the European stage. The statistics are all there: two million roses, eleven million daffodils, three million crocuses.
You get the picture. Where other cities resort to grass, Aberdeen employs petal-power. One top attraction is the Winter Gardens in the Duthie Park, home to the stunning Rose Mountain. Even in the depths of winter, the aptly-named Winter Gardens provide colour and scent. At two acres (one hectare), it provides what some say is the largest area under glass in Europe.
The City of Aberdeen with a proud and fascinating history presents a modern cosmopolitan image to visitors. A thriving cultural calendar, lively theatre, and vibrant nightlife, along with excellent restaurants and attractions makes Aberdeen an energising city break choice.
/
/ / The new Royal Aberdeen Children’s hospital was opened on 26th Jan 2004. Costing in excess of £23 million, It is an entirely filmless hospital carrying out in excess of 26,000 radiological examinations a year serving the population of north east Scotland.
Aberdeen flights
Aberdeen Airport is situated 7 miles north west of the city centre and offers easy access to the surrounding area. It is served by flights from throughout the UK, including daily flights to and from London, as well as international destinations such as Amsterdam, Dublin, Esbjerg, Paris and Stavanger. Many attractive low cost fares are available from airlines such as British Airways, Ryanair and EasyJet.
Aberdeen Airport T: 01224 722331 W: www.baa.co.uk
Domestic Flights
From / Airline / Daily Flights /
Website
Belfast / Eastern Airways / 1 per day / www.easternairways.comBirmingham / British Airways / 3 per day / www.british-airways.com
East Midlands / Eastern Airways / 3 per day / www.easternairways.com
Glasgow / British Airways / 1 per day / www.british-airways.com
Humberside / Eastern Airways / 5 per day / www.british-airways.com
Kirkwall / British Airways / 2 per day / www.british-airways.com
Leeds/Bradford / Eastern Airways / 2 per day / www.easternairways.com
London Gatwick / British Airways / 4 per day / www.british-airways.com
London Heathrow / British Airways / 8 per day / www.british-airways.com
London Luton / Easy Jet / 2 per day / www.easyjet.com
Manchester / British Airways & Bmi British Midland / 8 per day / www.flybmi.com
Newcastle / Eastern Airways / British Midlands / 3 per day / www.flybmi.com
Norwich / Eastern Airways / 4 per day / www.easternairways.com
Shetland / British Airways / 2 per day / www.british-airways.com
Teeside / Eastern Airways / 3 per day / www.easternairways.com
Wick / Eastern Airways / 2 per day / www.easternairways.com
Southhampton / Eastern Airways / 4 per day / www.easternairways.com
Direct International Air Services
Amsterdam / KLM UK / 4 per day (3 Sat) / www.klm.com
Bergen / Coast Air & Wideroe / 1-2 per day / www.wideroe.no
www.coastair.no
Dublin / Ryan Air / 1 per day / www.ryanair.com
Esbjerg / Bmi British Midland / 1 per day / www.flybmi.com
Faroe Islands / Atlantic Airways / 2 per week (seasonal) / www.atlantic.fo
Paris / Air France / 3 per day (2 on Sun) / www.airfrance.com
Stavanger / Wideroe& Braathens / 7 per day(4 Sat & Sun) / www.wideroe.no
www.braathens.no
International Connections: Brussels, Chicago, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Milan, Geneva, New York (Newark), Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, Trondheim, Vienna.
Visit www.baa.co.uk for further details and information on these flights to Aberdeen, Scotland
By Car
Aberdeen is accessible by road from Edinburgh or Glasgow in around 2 1/2 hours. Follow the M9 north to Perth and then the A90 trunk road to Aberdeen. Alternatively if you wish to take in some more of the area's scenery on your journey follow either the A92 north from Dundee or the A93 from Perth.
The A92 allows you to wander your way up the picturesque coast running through several towns and villages which all have their own unique character and history.
Following the challenging A93 from Perth will take you over the Cairnwell, which at just over 2200ft or 670m is the highest public road in the UK, and then sweep down into Royal Deeside and Braemar.
www.theaa.com (route planner)
www.rac.co.uk (route planner)
By Sea
Since its launch in May 2002 the direct year round ferry from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Rosyth, Scotland has proved extremely popular. Leave the continent in the evening, and wake up in Scotland the next day refreshed and ready to explore.
From Rosyth, Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands is a short drive of just 2 hours following motorway to Perth and then the A90 trunk route onwards to Aberdeen.
Aberdeen is the gateway to Orkney and Shetland with regular ferries to both. Use air connections or the North Isles sea route for summer services to Norway and the Faroes.
www.northlinkferries.co.uk
www.superfast.com
www.smyril-line.no
www.fjordline.co.uk
www.dfdsseaways.co.uk
By Rail
Travelling to Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands by train is another attractive alternative. Take the option of using the overnight sleeper service from London so you awake refreshed in Aberdeen, or travel on one of the hourly trains from Glasgow and Edinburgh or the direct services from Birmingham and Plymouth.
There are also 10 trains daily that travel north to Inverness stopping off at towns such as Huntly, Keith and Elgin.
www.scotrail.co.uk
www.nationalrail.co.uk (route planner)
1. Premier Lodge.
2. The Atholl Hotel.
3. Simpson's restaurant and hotel. ( Location of dinner on Thursday evening @ 8pm)
4. The Queen’s hotel.
Welcome to the Atholl Hotel, a privately owned four star hotel in Aberdeen's West End, just minutes from the City Centre.No. (2 on Map) / The Atholl Hotel offers:
/ Excellent location
/ Popular restaurant serving fresh local produce
/ Excellent private function facillities
/ Lounge bar with superb selection of malt whiskies, ales and wines
/ Offers including weekend breaks
With a solid, proven reputation earned in its many years as a busy hotel, the Atholl is held in great affection by the people of Aberdeen.We are renowned as the place to come for consistent and friendly service, value for money and a good old-fashioned approach that nothing is ever too much trouble - making it truly "in a class of its own"
54 King's Gate, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK AB15 4YN
Tel: +44 (0)1224 323505 Fax: +44 (0)1224 321555 e-mail:
Premier Lodge. No. (1 on Map) / / /
/ ABERDEEN WEST
North Anderson Drive
Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire
AB15 6DW
T: 0870 990 6430
F: 0870 990 6431 / / / /
£46
per room
per night
/ /
/ / / / / /
/ / 60
rooms / /
/
Directions:
From the North, follow the A96 to connect with the A90 and A92. The Premier Lodge is situated between the Shell petrol station and the Fire station on the right hand side.
From the South, follow the M90 to Perth, then the A90 and A92 to Aberdeen. Stay on the A90 following signs for Aberdeen airport. Take the 1st left after the Fire station at the traffic lights and the Premier Lodge is on the left hand side.
The Premier Lodge is next to The Cocket Hat Homespread restaurant and pub.
No. (4 on Map)
The Queens Hotel
51-53 Queens Road
ABERDEEN
AB15 4YP Tel: 01224 209999
Fax: 01224 209009
This family run hotel ensures you every small comfort when away from home.
Whether it's business or pleasure that brings you to Aberdeen, the Queens Hotel is the ideal choice where a warm & friendly welcome always awaits you.
Only a short drive from "Royal Deeside" and the "Castle & Whisky" trails. The Queens Hotel makes an ideal touring centre.
Assistance with car rental and other arrangements can be easily made through us.
No. (3 on Map)
Location of dinner event on Thursday evening 8pm.
Simpson’s Restaurant & HotelSimpson's is a family hotel,
situated in the West End of Aberdeen,
Europe's Oil Capital.
The intimate foyer with its
Italian terracotta floor, and
striking furnishings bears /
/ all the hallmarks
of quality and style
the public have come
to expect from an
establishment owned
and run by the Simpson family
/ All of the rooms and suites
of this spectacular hotel have been painstakingly
designed and decorated with the warm
welcoming colours of the Riviera.
Complimentary tea and coffee, mineral
water, newspaper, trouser press, CD micro system,
television, iron and hairdryer are all included.
You have the choice of twin
or king-sized beds, and
many of the rooms link to
form larger suites - ideal for
long stay or relocation. /
The luxurious en-suite
bathrooms all have high pressure showers.
The Hotel offers a 24 hour porterage service.
/ The beautiful spacious Dunbar
and Belvidere four-poster suites
reflect the history of the Hotel
and are quaranteed to delight
every bride and groom.
59 Queen's Road
Aberdeen, AB15 4YP
Scotland, UK
tel + 44 (0) 1224 327777
fax + 44 (0) 1224 327700
e-mail:
Mention the RCR PACS SIG meeting to get reduced room rate of £ 95.
Here you will find a few suggestions of some of the things to do or see in or around The Granite City.
/ Old Aberdeen
No visit to Aberdeen can prepare you for the delights of the area known as Old Aberdeen. Here is preserved the ancient dwellings and town plan of what was once a separate burgh. Don't miss King's College,the centre of Aberdeen University, an imposing four-square building erected around the famous Quadrangle. King's College Chapel, used for daily worship for five centuries, houses a collection of 15th century wood and ornamentation.
King's College Visitor Centre is a must for its multimedia display, shop and excellent coffee shop. Enjoy a walk along the fine, old cobbled High Street. A word of advice: don't bring your car. This area is compact enough to walk around and anyway, parking is nearly impossible. Almost all the places of visitor interest –Art Gallery, Marischal College, Maritime Museum, shopping malls, Provost Skene's House, harbour and Union Street - are within easy walking distance of each other.
FLOWER POWER
The all-year-round warmth of the Winter Gardens in Duthie Gardens exists under two acres (one hectare) of glass, said to be the largest covered display in Europe. The Cruickshank Botanic Garden in Old Aberdeen, run by Aberdeen University, is another horticultural treasure while Seaton Park by the Don contains a magnificent formal garden (best seen from the slopes below St Machar’s Cathedral). Hazlehead contains the Queen Mother Rose Garden, one of the largest collection of variegated species anywhere. /
/ FITTIE
Fittie (it appears as Footdee on the front of buses) is a charmingly-preserved fishing village at the mouth of the Dee. It ’s ended up the way it is entirely accidentally, and represents a microcosm of fishing life in times gone by. There are navigation lamps used to light doorways, ships in bottles in windows, and colourful sheds lining the middle of both village squares. Next to the beach are the poles from which nets were hung out to dry. Take a turn round Fittie, then walk 100m to the mouth of the river to watch the ships go by.
TORRY BATTERY
Girdleness Lighthouse guards the southern approach to the river Dee beyond the old fishing suburb of Torry. Up on the hill from it is Torry Battery, ancient defence site last used as a gunnery emplacement in World War II. It ’s well worth taking an hour out of a busy day to come here to see the view. Aberdeen explains itself to the eye – how the hills of old guarded Aberdeen and nurtured the basin of what has become an international harbour. Beyond are the spires of the modern city, with the ancient spires of Old Aberdeen in the distance. /
/ COSMOPOLITAN CITY
Aberdeen is a prosperous city but wears its wealth conservatively. The range of places to eat and drink provides an immediate guide. Sample cuisine that is native North Sea or eastern and exotic. Sample cultural life in the restored Edwardian grandeur of His Majesty’s Theatre or catch the latest sounds in the lively and informal Lemon Tree. Some of the pubs entertain a flourishing following for folk music, while three national orchestras perform regularly in the Music Hall.