Your Gateway to the North East - Car Hire in Aberdeen
Aberdeen, the Granite City, gleams silver in the Scottish sunshine with its distinctive architecture built from locally quarried stone. As the oil capital of Europe, Aberdeen combines business sophistication with easy access to some of Scotland's most dramatic landscapes. The city sits at the gateway to Royal Deeside, the Cairngorms National Park, and the stunning Aberdeenshire coastline. With a hire car from Aberdeen, you can explore castles on the famous Castle Trail, visit whisky distilleries along the Malt Whisky Trail, or follow in royal footsteps to Balmoral. The city itself offers excellent museums, beautiful parks, and a thriving food scene.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Highlights
Old Aberdeen & King's College
The medieval heart of the city around the 15th-century university. Cobbled streets, the stunning King's College Chapel, and St Machar's Cathedral.
Aberdeen Beach & Esplanade
Two miles of golden sand with a traditional promenade, amusement park, and links to the harbour. Popular for walks and dolphin spotting.
Dunnottar Castle
Dramatically ruined fortress on a clifftop 15 miles south. One of Scotland's most photographed castles with incredible sea views.
Balmoral Castle
The Scottish home of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria. Grounds and exhibitions open to visitors when the royals are not in residence.
Cairngorms National Park
Britain's largest national park begins just an hour from Aberdeen. Mountains, forests, wildlife, and the funicular railway at Cairn Gorm.
Driving from Aberdeen
Main Roads
- • A90 - South to Dundee and Edinburgh, North to Peterhead and Fraserburgh
- • A96 - West to Inverness via Huntly and Elgin
- • A93 - The Royal Deeside road to Balmoral and Braemar
- • A944 - West to Alford and Strathdon
- • A947 - North to Banff and the Moray coast
- • AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) - Bypass for cross-city travel
Driving Tips
- • The AWPR bypass has transformed Aberdeen driving - use it to avoid city centre
- • Royal Deeside road (A93) is scenic but single carriageway - allow time
- • Winter driving to Braemar requires preparation - road can close in snow
- • Coastal roads north of Aberdeen are spectacular but winding
- • Oil industry traffic means Anderson Drive can be slow at rush hour
Parking
City centre parking available at Trinity Centre, Bon Accord Centre, and The Academy. Union Square shopping centre near the station has extensive parking. Beachfront has free parking along the esplanade. Most attractions outside the city have dedicated parking.
Why Hire a Car in Aberdeen
- Essential for exploring Royal Deeside and Balmoral - no public transport alternative
- Visit multiple castles on the Aberdeenshire Castle Trail in one day
- Reach the Cairngorms ski slopes in winter (90 minutes)
- Explore the Malt Whisky Trail distilleries at your own pace
- Business travel to offshore support bases and energy sector sites
- Stunning coastal drives to Stonehaven, Cruden Bay, and beyond
Nearby Destinations
Local Tip
Visit Torry Battery at the harbour entrance for the best chance of seeing bottlenose dolphins - they frequently hunt in the harbour channel, and it's one of the UK's best urban dolphin spots.
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