Beyond the city, the scenery is our greatest asset. The beautiful 165-mile coastline recognised in National Geographic magazine as one of the world’s top 20 iconic landscapes. Walking, climbing, skiing, canoeing, and golfing opportunities abound. From the Cairngorm mountains to the endless beaches, the joys of the natural world and outdoor sporting opportunities are found side by side.

The North-east is home to 55 golf courses including some of the most respected in the world. No other corner of the world offers such a concentration of castles, distilleries and historical sites at every turn. And, of course, the British Royal Family are regular visitors to their Scottish residence on Balmoral Estate – the jewel in the crown of Royal Deeside.

Being able to show visitors the fantastic countryside, the coast, castles and gardens makes it easy to draw people to Aberdeen. I work with many people in education research across Europe and they are always very interested in visiting Scotland.

Dr Rachel Shanks, University of Aberdeen