Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populated city with an official estimate of 228,990 inhabitants. The city and the surrounding area has had inhabitants for at least 8,000 years. It is frequently nicknamed the Silver City because the granite buildings sparkle after it has rained. This is because of the high mica content in the local granite.
Aberdeen started as two separate districts. There was Old Aberdeen at the mouth of the River Don, and New Aberdeen which was a fishing and trading community. The two parts of the city incorporated in 1891. Old Aberdeen still holds its ancient charter from 1179 but is not officially independent any more.
The city has won the Britain in Bloom competition a record 11 times. It also hosts the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, which is a major event where young performing arts companies come to show their capability.
In 2012, the consulting firm Mercer listed Aberdeen as the 56th most liveable city in the world and the fourth most liveable city in Britain.
If you live in Aberdeen and you need a new boiler, it's important that you get quotations from at least three vetted traders.