HOTEL of the week

WHERE AND WHY Aberdeen is a beautiful city stuffed with architectural landmarks. Ornamental facades, Doric columns and arches form part of this historic masterpiece. It won’t take you long to discover why it’s nicknamed the Granite City so spend some time wandering its central avenues and streets. The Hilton Garden Inn is the perfect base for a visit. It’s central and close to all the shops, sights and the railway station.

ON THE MENU The Native Restaurant prides itself on delivering locally sourced seasonal produce. My seabass served with roasted chorizo and chickpea stew was packed with flavour. Other choices include haggis (naturally), pan fried trout and Aberdeen Angus fillet steak. Don’t miss out

on the puddings. The chocolate tart with berries was melt-in-the-mouth gorgeous, as was the white chocolate bombe with caramel, peanuts and toffee sauce.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE Head to the grand Marischal College, Europe’s second-biggest granite building (after the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid). It’s a mixture of dramatic styles, from distinct Gothic to a more austere design added in 1837. The stunning structure, now home to council offices and a museum, is Aberdeen’s most famous landmark and said to be its most photo-graphed. Old Aberdeen, where the university was founded in 1495, has charming cobbled streets and many

original buildings are open to the public. St Machar’s Cathedral is also a must. There has been a church on the site since the sixth century and the interiors are stunning, particularly the wooden heraldic ceiling. Explore the city’s vast seafaring history at the award-winning Maritime Museum which encompasses Provost Ross House, built in 1593, near the busy harbour and track Aberdeen’s 17th Century shipbuilding right through to today’s oil and gas industries. Winters can be particularly chilly, so if the heavens open you can take cover in one of three large modern shopping arcades. WAKE-UP CALL

Doubles from €62 a night. hgi.com