Why Aberdeen? UnDiscovered Aberdeen by Bob Keiller

I have visited many countries and many places and have been asked, “in an ideal world, where would you choose to live?”

In trying to answer I consider what’s important. Family, friends, safety. I love Scotland, I love my hometown of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, and I love my home – Aberdeen. I moved here nearly 40 years ago and have yet to find a better answer to the opening question.

A great place to live, to work, to play and to raise a family. A city with lots to see and surrounded by glorious Aberdeenshire.

They say that the difference between Brits and Americans is that Brits think that 100 miles is a long way, and Americans think that 100 years is a long time. Aberdeen is a short way from Central Scotland, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Paris and more.

Our history is long, varied and utterly fascinating.

• The first evidence of humans tracking time using solar and lunar calendars is in Aberdeenshire – 10,000 years ago.
• An Aberdonian invented the reflecting telescope. Reflecting telescopes has allowed our generation to see further than any humans before us.
• James Clerk Maxwell lived on Union Street – he was inspired to study electromagnetism by Robert Davidson, the Aberdeen inventor of the world’s first Electric Vehicle.
• An Aberdonian was the first to inoculate anyone in 1717. Another Aberdonian designed the program that led to the eradication of Smallpox which has saved over 100 million lives.
• An Aberdonian was the first to use antiseptic clinical practices – which ultimately led to the discovery of penicillin and saved countless lives.
• The world’s first MRI scanner was built in Aberdeen – early diagnosis of disease has saved and improved the quality of so many lives.
• I spoke at the 437th Annual Dinner of the Seven Incorporated Trades – how many organisations have over 400 annual dinners?
• The oldest company in Scotland is The Aberdeen Harbour Board – almost 900 years old. The Shore Porter’s Society is, by contract a “new start” having only been incorporated in 1498.
• For nearly 250 years, Aberdeen had the same number of universities as… England!

Aberdeen has a focus on energy and the transition to net zero. We have the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC). We also have incubators in Life Sciences (The Bio Hub), Food and Drink (The Seed Pod) and Digital Technology (The Tech Hub). Opportunity North East (ONE) is the local development body led by the private sector – this makes it unique. This has driven a multi-sectoral regional strategy that has created multiple new businesses and accelerated many others. This means lots of high-quality, well-paid jobs in a city with low property prices and excellent quality of living. 

 I was hosting some Houston colleagues at Maryculter House in Aberdeenshire. It was a Wednesday in June. We finished a business meeting around 6PM and ventured out onto the lawn overlooking the River Dee. We were enjoying a cold gin and tonic and we watched players on Peterculter golf course across the river. A canoeist paddled by.

My American colleague Gerry asked me some questions:

When does it get dark Bob?        

- Oh after 10PM, plenty time to finish 18 holes.

How expensive is it to play here?

- Pretty cheap, and there are lots of options.

How long does it take you to get to the office from your home?

- That depends on traffic, sometimes it can take 18 minutes but usually about 12!

One final rhetorical question, why don’t I live here...?

And that’s another glimpse of why I do!

I choose to live here because I can – you might want to think about it too!