Aberdeen there’s nothing grey about this Granite City!

Of all the cities in the world to visit by train, Aberdeen has to be one of the best.

The coastal journey north from Edinburgh makes for a delightful start to our long weekend away.

The two-and-a-half hours fly by as we gaze out at pretty towns and golf courses through one window, and at the boundless blue ocean through the other.

It’s far more relaxing than taking the car and much quicker than the bus!

Aside from the scenery, another reason to visit Aberdeen by train is the city’s size.

Once you’re off the train you can easily negotiate the compact capital of the north on foot.

No need to worry about car parking charges or city traffic, the train station itself is a five-minute walk from Union Street, Aberdeen’s main thoroughfare.

But it’s near impossible to head that way without first taking in the extensive offerings at the Union Square Shopping Centre.

Cleverly connected to the station itself, you can work your way through the shops and cafes without ever going outside.

It’s a great complex for some January sales shopping, although it lacks the character of the city’s ancient cobbled wynds and narrow granite streets.

But more on that later first we need to reach our home of the next two nights: The Caledonian Hotel.

Like most things in Aberdeen, the hotel is close, and we walk there from the train station in minutes. And as soon as we check into our room I’m impressed: it’s spacious, beautifully decorated, and bright.

We don’t tend to spend a lot of time in our rooms on city breaks, but if you’re more the lounging type, you’re in for a treat. A widescreen TV hangs perfectly for you to channel-hop from your comfy bed.

One slight word of caution about the room though, the noise of the traffic outside is worth considering. It’s not oppressive and it didn’t bother us, but if you’re a light sleeper maybe ask for a room higher up or one that doesn’t face on to the road.

Our hotel deal included breakfasts, which I would also highly recommend. There’s nothing better than a full Scottish breakfast to kick-start your morning.

Failing that, Aberdeen’s famous butteries and rowies are only a bakery stop away. They do nothing for your waistline (apart from add to it), but taste great.

Located one street off Union Street, our hotel is a short stroll to everything we’re looking for.

His Majesty’s Theatre, the bars on Belmont Street, Union Street’s restaurants, and the city’s other main shopping centres, are all nearby.

You’ll need a bus ticket to visit the beach or Old Aberdeen’s University quarter but for us it was all about the city centre. The ancient cobbled streets and granite buildings are a pleasure to see.

On a bright morning the sunlight bounces off the granite, and the city twinkles silver without a hint of grey. If architecture is your thing, the magnificent Marischal College mustn’t be missed.

It’s the home of Aberdeen city council these days so you’re unlikely to get inside, but the gleaming building’s exterior is beautiful.

Aberdeen is my old stomping ground, so a return is always accompanied by a trip to the pubs I used to call my locals. How could I not? Thankfully all my old favourites are still thriving, despite losing my all-too-regular custom.

The Grill Bar has been a feature of Union Street since 1870 and has largely remained unchanged since the 1920s. It’s an original “working man’s pub” which only added a ladies toilet in the mid-1990s.

It’s a great pub to stand and have a chat, and their extensive whisky collection is jaw-dropping.

Other favourites well worth a visit are Ma Cameron’s on Little Belmont Street and Old Blackfriars, which is also on Union Street.

Both establishments have a well-deserved reputation for serving tasty beer and great pub grub.

If bars aren’t really your thing, however, or you like a good feed beforehand, Aberdeen has some of the most varied and high quality restaurants around all in close proximity.

And that really is what sets Aberdeen apart. Everything you would want is on offer and it’s all within walking (or staggering) distance.

After a great weekend of eating, drinking and walking, all that was left was to jump on the train and head back to our home in the capital.

And that was an even quicker train journey. After a busy weekend, we both slept all the way to Waverley.