Shopping... and more
It’s not just Christmas bells that are ringing out across the Granite City this month; the shop tills are jingling, too. But does the city have enough to entice shoppers from other parts of Scotland? We sent our mystery shopper to find out
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WHEN you think of Aberdeen in December, images of a bustling city centre and wall-to-wall traffic may spring to mind. But when I drew back the curtains of my room, I was met with a completely different, tranquil image.
We were staying in one of the Platinum Club rooms at the Doubletree by Hilton (formerly the Patio Hotel) on Aberdeen’s Beach Boulevard, and our room had fantastic views across the links towards the seafront.
On this cold Sunday morning, a deep, hard frost had given each blade of grass the appearance of having been dipped in icing sugar, while the shrubbery sparkled with cobwebs which could have passed for diamond necklaces.
As the sun rose across the boulevard, it turned the peaceful winter wonderland scene below us a shade of baby pink, which made us want to get organised, wrap up warmly and get out for a bracing walk along the beach front.
On reflection, this was a rather surprising decision, because we had travelled from Inverness to the Granite City for a strictly girls-own, child and hubby-free weekend during which we would devote time and energy to the serious subject of Christmas shopping.
One reason we opted for the Doubletree was because of the location. It’s only a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the city centre, and five minutes to the beach front, which is home to a host of shopping and entertainment venues – tenpin bowling and cinema for the kids, a golf driving range and Pittodrie for the dads, and more shops than you can melt plastic cards in for the mums.
We arrived early on Saturday morning, too early to check in to the hotel, but staff were happy to let us park, check-in our luggage and have a quick freshen up before we hit the shops.
We started at the Castlegate end of Union Street, which not only lets you see in a flash the lovely Christmas lights suspended all the way along the mile-long street, but gives you a fair indicator of how busy the centre is, as all we could see were pavements thronging with shoppers.
Taking pride of place in the Castlegate was a magnificent Christmas tree, a present from the people of Aberdeen’s twin city of Stavanger. The lights were to be switched on following a service of festive song, music and prayer the next day.
Our plan was to visit the malls, stop for coffee, hit the local farmers’ market on Belmont Street and the visiting International Market on Union Terrace, then head back to the hotel for dinner.
If time allowed, we would also visit the Art Gallery on Schoolhill, because we knew from previous experience that it is a great place to catch your breath, enjoy fabulous art and a decent cup of coffee, too.
Our first impression of the city centre was that it was buzzing, with lots of folk enjoying their shopping. If you bumped into someone accidently – at times this couldn’t be avoided – you were met with a polite, sorry or excuse me, rather than a grumpy comment about having your eyes tested.
We found lots of quirky, independent shops selling everything from handmade wooden decorations to retro telephones, while the stall holders at both markets were offering unusual food and gifts with a smile and friendly chat.
Our only gripe, and it’s a minor one, is that some of the larger chain stores seemed unprepared for the rush of customers, with two or three having only one till operating at pay points. Half-hour queues caused by poor management rather than being unwilling to work faster made us feel quite sorry for the sales assistants.
We stopped a few times for a refreshing brew, delicious coffee and cake, at the Art Gallery and a tasty panini at a wee cafe on George Street.
We decided that had our families been with us, there was plenty to keep them entertained other than shops. HM Theatre has the swashbuckling pantomime Peter Pan, starring TV’s Any Dream Will Do contestant Keith Jack and Neighbours favourite Alan Fletcher.
From December 15 onwards, Aberdeen Snowsports Centre is offering a host of family festive fun with snow tubing, ski and snowboard lessons for beginners to the more advanced.
Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums have organised cracking Christmas tours at The Tolbooth, Provost Skene's House and Glover House.
The tours, which give a fascinating insight to times past, are part of Aberdeen’s Winter Festival programme and provide an interesting and fun way to learn about Aberdeen and its famous and infamous residents and traditions of a bygone time. Each tour will round off with a chance to sample some seasonal refreshments. For full details of these call (01224) 523700.
By teatime on Saturday, our feet were throbbing, our arms aching and our tums rumbling, so we headed back to the hotel where we had a superb three-course dinner in the Footdee restaurant, before turning in for the night.
We rose early the next morning and caught the spectacular sunrise which made the frosty scene so enticing that, despite the lure of the shops, we first opted for a stroll along the seafront to Footdee, or Fittie, as it’s known locally, a picturesque fishing village that sits close to the entrance to the harbour.
The frosty sea air helped burn off the extra calories we had consumed at breakfast (full English and all the extras, if you don’t mind). Those less inclined to try a seafront walk can burn cals in Breakers, which houses the hotel’s gym, pool and beauty spa.
With our batteries now fully recharged, we bade farewell to the hotel and set off once more in search of the perfect pressie, this time visiting only stores which had yet to arrive in the Highland Capital such as John Lewis, BHS, Sainsbury’s and dear old Asda.
Aberdeen may be just over 100 miles away, but it is an ideal distance for a mini-break and especially suited to shopaholics like ourselves!
Doubletree by Hilton Aberdeen City Centre, Beach Boulevard, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 633339. Weekend city breaks start at £42.50 per person based on sharing a classic, twin or double room (subject to availability).
For details of what’s happening in Aberdeen, log on to www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
FESTIVE HIGHLIGHTS ACROSS SCOTLANDINVERNESS: Fly high with Aladdin and his magic carpet at Eden Court Theatre; sign up for the Inverness Santa Claus run (December 7); send the man in your life to the Blokes’ Shopping Evening at the Eastgate Shopping Centre, and take a walk through the Ness Islands to see the brilliant outdoor light show (from December 15). Visit www.invernessfestivals.com
EDINBURGH: The opening of Edinburgh’s Santa's Gardens, on Princes Street, begins with the arrival of Santa himself at noon on Saturday, December 13. Go and see Dunblane Cathedral Handbell Ringers welcome in Christmas, hear choirs sing traditional carols and see Santa open the Reindeer Garden, Santa's Post Box and Santa's Igloo Village, where there will be activities such as workshops and storytelling. Shoppers can also enjoy open air ice skating, live entertainment and fun for the whole family in Winter Wonderland, within the East Princes Street Gardens. Visit www.edinburghguide.com
DUNDEE: Dundee's Winter Festival will see the city come to life with festive entertainment, excitement and fun. Look out for farmers’ markets, and shopping party nights at the Wellgate Shopping Centre when stores offer special discounts. Book a seat for Beauty and the Beast at the Dundee Repertory Theatre, Cinderella at the Byre Theatre or Jack and the Beanstalk at the Whitehall Theatre; meet Santa and his elf at the Camperdown Wildlife Centre. Visit www.dundeecity.gov.uk
GLASGOW: Get your skates on for the outdoor ice rink on George Square or visit Santa in his nearby grotto; family-friendly programme at weekends in the square with comedians, ice sculptures and face painting. Try some experiments with Glasgow Science Centre or listen to animated festive stories. Visit www.winterfestglasgow.com
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