Aberdeen

Friday, midday

Check into the Malmaison Aberdeen (www.malmaison.com, double room from £109), a granite charmer with contemporary bedrooms and spectacular public spaces.

1pm

Head down to the port and watch the ships ease in and out as you feast on fresh seafood at Silver Darling (www. thesilverdarling.co.uk).

2:30pm

Take a walk from the restaurant to explore the remarkable and often forgotten Fittie quarter, with its wee fishermen’s stone cottages and artist workshops.

4pm

Enjoy a bracing stroll along Aberdeen’s City Beach, where a sweep of sand tempts hardy walkers and even hardier swimmers.

7pm

Aberdeen’s best steak house at the Malmaison makes for a decadent dining experience where superb Scotch beef is expertly prepared.

Saturday, 9am

It’s bottlenose dolphin time as you head to Torry Battery to check out the world’s most northerly bottlenose dolphins, who often frolic just offshore here.

1pm

If you’re a fan of Masterchef: The Professionals don’t miss Moonfish Café (www.moonfishcafe.co.uk), with Brian Mcleish, a finalist in 2014, at the helm. Boat fresh seafood is the co-star.

3pm

The Maritime Museum (www.aagm. co.uk) is the place to understand how important the city’s port has been for centuries, not just since its post-1960s oil and gas boom.

6pm

Aberdeen boasts a slew of great bars. Local Ellon boys Brewdog are now a global brand, but one of their most impressive bars is Brewdog Castlegate (www.brewdog.com).

7:30pm

Time to ease out of the city to stately Ardoe House (tel: 01224 398801). Enjoy local produce and bright service at Blairs Restaurant before a wee dram in their whisky bar.

Sunday, 9am

Union Street is arguably Scotland’s grandest thoroughfare so take a good stroll along checking out the mix of solid old world grey granite grandeur and more contemporary styles in the form of the massive Union Square. ■ Scotrail (www.scotrail.co.uk) run regular train services from all over Scotland to Aberdeen.