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Aberdeen and the Deeside Way

Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city. It is home to the oil and gas industry but is moving to develop cleaner energy.

In this article you can learn:

  • what the Deeside Way is
  • how Aberdeen has grown and changed
  • about the oil, gas and renewable energy industry
  • about urban, suburban and rural areas
  • about Scotland's public parks

This article is suitable for learning about People, Place and Environment topics in primary school.

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Video - Aberdeen and the Deeside Way

Watch Isla and Connor explore the Deeside Way and discover how Aberdeen has changed over the past 900 years.

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What is the Deeside Way?

Deeside Way map
Figure caption,
This map shows you some of the key areas along the Deeside Way.

The Deeside Way is a 41 mile path that links Aberdeen and Ballater. It is a great route for walkers and cyclists.

The Deeside Way follows the route of the old Royal Deeside Railway. It is separated from roads and traffic and the gradient is gentle, which makes it suitable for all abilities.

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How has Aberdeen grown and changed?

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What are Aberdeen's energy industries?

Claymore oil drilling platform
Image caption,
The Claymore oil field has been producing oil and gas since 1977. It sits one hundred miles north-east of Aberdeen. (Simon Price / Alamy Stock Photo)

The oil and gas industry has a huge impact on Aberdeen.

At the end of the 1960s, oil and gas were found under the sea bed of the North Sea. The first oil flowed into Scotland in 1975. Oil companies based themselves in Aberdeen and the harbour became Europe's main port providing support and supplies for oil rigs in the North Sea.

Since around the year 2000, the amount of fuel produced in the North Sea has gone down. Oil and gas under shallower water have been used up, so companies need to drill under deeper parts of the North Sea. This is more difficult and expensive.

Claymore oil drilling platform
Image caption,
The Claymore oil field has been producing oil and gas since 1977. It sits one hundred miles north-east of Aberdeen. (Simon Price / Alamy Stock Photo)
Three offshore wind turbines that make up part of Aberdeen Bay Windfarm
Image caption,
Aberdeen Bay Windfarm is made up of eleven wind turbines that sit three kilometres off the coast from Aberdeen. (Marine Construction Photos / Alamy Stock Photo)

Oil and gas are fossil fuels which contribute to climate change. Scotland is moving to cleaner energy sources.

Aberdeen has companies and workers who are moving to producing renewable energy. Building and running offshore windfarms uses many of the same skills as supporting oil and gas rigs.

Aberdeen Bay windfarm is just off the coast of Aberdeen and helps generate some of Scotland's renewable energy.

Find out more about renewable and non-renewable energy.

Three offshore wind turbines that make up part of Aberdeen Bay Windfarm
Image caption,
Aberdeen Bay Windfarm is made up of eleven wind turbines that sit three kilometres off the coast from Aberdeen. (Marine Construction Photos / Alamy Stock Photo)
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Scotland's public parks

Scotland鈥檚 towns and cities have lots of public green spaces. Many of these green spaces were created in the Victorian era and gave people in the crowded cities open spaces to enjoy.

Today these parks still play an important job 鈥 they are great for good mental health, fun and wildlife and nature. Look through the slideshow to find out more about some of Scotland's public parks.

Learn more about how Scotland changed during the Victorian era here: How Victorian Scotland changed

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 4, Duthie Park on a sunny day, Duthie Park, Aberdeen Duthie Park opened in 1883 after it was gifted to the city by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie in 1880 for the 鈥榳ellbeing and recreation of Aberdeen inhabitants.' (Anastasia Yakovleva / Alamy Stock Photo)
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Urban, suburban and rural areas

More than one third of people in Scotland live in cities and large towns. All cities and their surroundings are different but most can be divided into three types of area:

  • urban
  • suburban
  • rural
A map of Aberdeen highlighting urban, suburban and rural areas and the River Dee
Figure caption,
This map shows the urban, suburban and rural areas in and around Aberdeen.

Urban

Cities and big towns are described as urban.

Urban areas often have a busy centre where there are larger businesses, shops and offices, and places to visit like cinemas, restaurants or museums. These are often in taller buildings because there is limited space. Streets can become busy with traffic as many people come to work or visit in the town or city centre.

Space for houses can be limited in urban areas too. Some people live in flats, tenements or terraced houses that are built close together with small gardens.

Suburban

Suburban areas grow around cities and towns. They usually have some shops, offices and other businesses but most land is taken up by houses. These are usually in lower buildings and are more spread out, with bigger gardens, more green space and quieter streets.

The suburbs are also home to shopping centres and supermarkets that are easier for people to drive to than the city centre.

Rural

Rural areas means the countryside. Most rural land is open space, which could be farmland, forest or wild places.

People in rural areas often live in villages or smaller towns. Near cities, these might be commuter villages - people live here but travel into the city for work or to use shops and services.

Businesses in rural areas include farms and local shops and services in towns and villages. There are sometimes larger businesses like factories or warehouses which can take up more space on cheaper land.

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Key words about energy and landscapes

- Fossil fuels were formed over millions of years from the remains of dead animals and plants. These became buried underground and pressure and heat turned them into oil, gas and coal.

- Types of energy that will not run out, including wind, wave, tidal and solar energy.

- The change in the usual conditions of weather (temperature, wind, rainfall etc.) on Earth over a long period of time. The climate has changed throughout the history of Earth, but current climate change refers to an increase in global temperature.

- In or from the countryside rather than in a city or town.

- In or from the area around the outside of a city.

- In or from a city or large town.

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Test your knowledge

Quiz

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Challenge

Find urban, rural and suburban areas where you live.

Explore the local area of your school on foot, online or with maps.

Can you work out if the area is urban, rural or suburban?

What clues show you this?

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