Union Terrace Gardens

An oasis for relaxation in the city centre. On the north side is a magnificent floral crest depicting the city's coat of arms. Above that are three beds that change each year and depict local and national groups or topical events. Situated just off the city's main thoroughfare of Union Street, the park was built in the valley of the Denburn and the amphitheatre formed over the remains of the flattened Denburn Terrace. Union Terrace Gardens is used for occasional concerts and leisure.

Queen's Cross Church

One of the aspects I find very interesting in the churches I have known in Scotland is the apparent lightness of the interior that contrasts with the robustness of the exterior. I know better the architecture of the Portuguese or even Italian churches and despite their particularities they are more homogeneous. Here the exterior is austere and the worked stone presents the same characteristics of some of the great European cathedrals, but generally the interior is made of wood, as is also the case with this beautiful church.

Peterhead Pier

Peterhead Pier offers good general sea fishing, especially for cod, with dab, coalfish and wrasse all also caught with any mainstream sea fishing bait. This mark can be a snaggy venue, especially when casting outside the pier, but cleaner ground when casting into the harbour. Mackerel are caught from piers using feathers, daylights or spinners in summer. Peterhead sits at the easternmost point in mainland Scotland. It is often referred to as The Blue Toun (locally spelt as "The Bloo Toon") and people who were born there as Blue Touners (locally spelt as "Bloo Tooners"). More correctly they are called blue mogginers (locally spelt as "Bloomogganners"), supposedly from the blue worsted moggins or stockings that the fishermen originally wore.

Peterhead lighthouse

Buchan Ness Lighthouse sits at Britain's most northeastern point in Peterhead, a busy whitefish port about an hour's drive from Aberdeen. Buchan Ness lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson, and is one of the few remaining working lighthouses in Scotland.  The lighthouse is 118ft (36m) high, flashing a white light every 5 seconds which with the current lamp is visible for 28 nautical miles (52km). The former lighthouse keepers' cottages have been converted to self catering accommodation.

Street Performance

Near George Stree I met several times an excellent violinist. In addition to playing very well and filling the place with music, he was always dressed in the traditional Scottish kilt. I think that whatever we do, we can employ a certain dignity and style. In fact, asking and giving are two sides of the same coin.

Garden benches in Aberdeen

In Aberdeem the garden benches often have inscriptions concerning people who have already left this world. For instance, this inscription I found it near Queen Cross, but they are everywhere. When I realized this for the first time, I thought of the movie Notthing Hill. I also think it evokes a deep connection to the place as well as an original way of preserving memory.

Wild life around

One of the things that much pleased me, since I came to Scotland was the reinforcement of the feeling that we still living in a very blessed planet. Many times when I´m at home or coming and going about I cross with these beautiful beings, and they carry such a grace and at the same time a strong connection with the nature, that one can feel a strong bond as well.