Art and Culture in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire is a region overflowing with art and culture. A dazzling range of art galleries, museums and theatres, many located in the imposing granite buildings which are enduring symbols of the city, certainly won’t disappoint.At its heart is Union Terrace Gardens, nestling below the imposing backdrop of three of Aberdeen’s finest granite buildings. Together the Central Library, St Mark’s Church and His Majesty’s Theatre known locally as ‘Education, Salvation and Damnation’ provide the key to the evolution of the region’s cultural life.With such a prosperous heritage, there are many splendid places that capture the colourful history of Aberdeen- – the impressive turreted Town House on Union Street; the castellated Citadel at The Castlegate and the striking grandeur of Marischal College. In old Aberdeen you can discover the past by visiting 500 year old University Kings College and St Machar’s Cathedral. Old Aberdeen, which surrounds the University, is like taking a step back in time, with its tranquil cobbled streets and narrow walkways.Museums and Galleries
Art enthusiasts will love Aberdeen. The city’s Art Gallery, which was opened in 1885, houses a wonderful collection of Scottish and international works and contemporary exhibitions. It is the largest public gallery in the North of Scotland and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. A beautiful granite building with a striking marble lined interior, it houses a varied collection of works of art, including outstanding examples of Modern Art, and work by the Impressionists and the Scottish Colourists. Visitors can also see contemporary craft, Aberdeen silver and a wide range of decorative art and there are regular changing displays and special exhibitions, events and activities.There are also many smaller galleries worth seeking out within the city and Aberdeenshire, while local artists are often displays on the walls of the region’s restaurants.Marischal Museum holds the principal collections of the University of Aberdeen, comprising some 80,000 items in the areas of fine art, Scottish history and archaeology, and European, Mediterranean and Near Eastern archaeology. The permanent displays and reference collections are augmented by regular temporary exhibitions. The museum is in the old building of Marischal College, on Broad Street, the second largest granite building in the world (after the Escorial, Madrid) which will soon also become the headquarters of Aberdeen City Council.The 16th century Provost Skene’s House is now one of the city’s few remaining examples of medieval architecture. It contains an attractive series of period room settings, recalling the graceful furnishings of earlier times. The displays include a suite of 17th century rooms, a Regency Parlour and an Edwardian Nursery. Visitors can also see a unique series of religious paintings in the painted gallery, where scenes from the life of Christ can be found on the ceiling.The Tolbooth on Castle Street was built between 1616 and 1629. Formerly known as the Wardhouse, it was a gaol for those awaiting either trial in the adjacent court or punishment. Now the home of Aberdeen’s Museum of Civic History it focuses on the history of crime and punishment within the city. Here you can visit the original cells where witches, debtors, criminals and felons spent their days. The Museum features an extensive programme of events for all ages with a variety of talks on aspects of local history and exhibitions featuring objects related to Mary Queen of Scots, James VI, crime and medieval instruments of punishment.Situated on the historic Shiprow, the award-winning Aberdeen Maritime museum also incorporates Provost Ross’s house, which was built in 1593. The museum tells the story of the city’s long relationship with the sea, from the days of sail and clipper ships to the latest oil and gas exploration technology. This unique collection covers ship-building, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history and is the only place in the UK where you can see displays on the North Sea oil industry. It includes an 8.5m (28 feet) high model of the Murchison oil production platform and nineteenth century lenses from Rattray Head Lighthouse.On the outskirts of the city The Gordon Highlanders Museum is home to the regimental treasures of the world-famous Gordon Highlanders and tells the exciting story of one of Scotland’s best-known regiments, while in the countryside near Maryculter, Blairs Museum of Scotland’s catholic heritage displays an interesting collections of paintings, church textiles, silver and Jacobite memorabilia, including a full length memorial portrait of Mary Queen of Scots dressed as she was on the day of her execution.The Japanese Connection
One of the most influential of the region’s historical figures is Thomas Blake Glover, (1838-1911), the founder of Japan’s mighty Mitsubishi empire. His family home, Glover House, can be visited at Bridge of Don on the outskirts of the city. Thomas Blake Glover is today revered in Japan as being one of the founders of modern Japan. He had a crucial role in the industrialisation of Japan and in the introduction of Western developments in manufacturing, while helping to overthrow the Shogun and restoring the rightful heir to the Imperial Throne of Japan. His personal life may also have provided the basis for the Madam Butterfly story, immortalised in the opera by Puccini.The house has been recreated as Glover would have known it in the 1860s. A guided tour will help explore Glover’s story, and visitors will see an authentic Victorian Parlour, Dining Room, Bedroom and Victorian Kitchen, as well as admiring Samurai armour and other Japanese memorabilia.Music and Theatre
The Music Hall has been the heart of entertainment in the city for over 180 years. Formerly the city’s Assembly Rooms, it was designed by the celebrated architect Archibald Simpson. It now features more than 200 performances a year from pop to country and classical to contemporary and regularly plays host to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and the BBC Scottish Symphony orchestra, as well as a variety of pop/rock concerts and the annual Aberdeen International Youth Festival.For larger ‘stadium’ style events, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference centre is the North’s premier facility for major rock and pop concerts, sporting events, public shows and exhibitions.Aberdeen’s music scene includes a variety of live music venues including pubs, clubs and church choirs. The bars of Belmont Street are particularly known for featuring live music. Ceilidhs are also sometimes held in the city’s halls.
His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, which first opened its doors in 1906, continues to attract an eclectic range of top quality theatre productions from West End musicals to opera, ballet, contemporary dance, drama and much more. Acclaimed performances of Grease, Chicago, Miss Saigon and Equus have all been enthusiastically received by sell-out audiences.For art house cinema and independent productions, head for The Belmont Picturehouse on Belmont Cinema, and don’t forget to take a look at Aberdeen Arts Centre, the venue for the region’s many excellent drama groups which reliably stage first class musical theatre and drama.Events and festivals
Aberdeen is home to a host of events and festivals including the Aberdeen International Youth Festival (the world’s largest arts festival for young performers), Aberdeen Jazz festival, Rootin Aboot (folk and roots music event) Triptych (Scottish music) and the University of Aberdeen’s literature festival, Word.Inspired by over half a century of rich musical tradition under the direction of Lady Aberdeen, the Summer Music Festival at Haddo House has also become a firm fixture in the Aberdeen City and Shire cultural calendar,
Cultural influences within the region may have been many and varied and all warmly welcomed, but the Aberdeen character remains firmly grounded in the traditions of the past. The local dialect Doric is often celebrated in poetry readings and literature, there are many highland games throughout the region which keep alive the traditional ‘heavy’ sports such as caber tossing, while highland dancing and bagpipe or fiddle playing are still popular choices with youngsters taking up music and dance.If you are lucky enough to be visiting for Hogmanay, the Stonehaven Fireball Festival is a unique event not to be missed. To welcome in the New Year, a procession swinging huge fireballs over their heads walks through the town before flinging their fireballs into the sea. Street entertainment and a firework display add to the atmosphere.
Literary ConnectionsRobert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island while staying in Braemar in the summer of 1881 and Lord Byron lived in Aberdeen in his early life, attending Aberdeen Grammar School. Named George Gordon Byron after his grandfather, George Gordon of Gight, an Aberdeenshire laird, Byron bore Royal blood, descended through his mother from King James 1. In his epic poem, Dark Lochnagar, he described the ‘steep frowning glories’ of one of Deeside’s most famous mountains.South of Aberdeen you’ll find the Lewis Grassic Gibbon visitors centre, which celebrates the life and times of the region’s most noteworthy literary figure. Grassic Gibbon grew up in the village of Arbuthnott in the early 20th century. His most famous work, A Scots Quair, and in particular Sunset Song, document his life there and have become a Scottish classic.The Word Festival, one of Scotland’s most popular literary events takes place each spring. With readings, discussions, music, art and film it has played host to many celebrated authors such as Irvine Walsh, Lionel Shriver, Deborah Moggach, Iain Banks, Ian Rankin, Lynda La Plante, William McIllvanney, Richard E. Grant to name just a few.

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Home Business Ideas For Just About Anyone!

Are you thinking about working from home and need some home business ideas? Here is a list of ideas to help you start your thought process.CREATIVE: Cake/candy making or decorating – DJ – seamstress – music teacher – greeting card design – web design – writing – photographer – event planner – scrapbook making – growing vegetables – pet grooming – landscaping
Creative home business ideas require an artistic mind with an eye for detail. Most of these ideas can be learned through practice and more information can be obtained from the internet, library or local vocational colleges.Although local laws do vary, so you should check with your local secretary of state, most of these home business ideas do not require licensing.PROFESSIONAL: CPA/Tax advisor – massage therapy – counseling – doula – childcare – bed and breakfast
Professional home business ideas for the most part will require a special education and local licensing from state agencies. These business opportunities will tend to be more lucrative though because of the education required to perform them. It is recommended that you seek out legal counsel to ensure that you have all the proper permissions to limit liability.LABOR: auto repair – antique repair and sales – small engine repair – personal assistant /shopper – flea market booths – taking online surveys – online trading – housekeeping – handyman services – data entry – catering
Labor home business ideas are the jobs that require a little more work than skill, although skill is required of any valuable service. Some of these ideas require specialized knowledge or experience. Most people cannot simple pick up a wrench and start fixing an engine without previous experience doing so. Some may require a license or certification from the state. Some of them a person can just put forth some effort and take off doing.No matter what home business idea you decide upon, you need to develop a plan, invest some money to get some equipment, to meet state requirements, get an education, and probably some basic advertising material (i.e. business cards and fliers). All of the above home business ideas will require effort. To develop business you will need to talk to all of your friends and family to let them know you are in business and ask for referrals. After you have done that, you will likely need to market and sell your service or product to the general public if you want to keep income coming in. If you are not working, you are not making any money. You will want to make sure that you keep detailed records of all income and expenses for tax reporting purposes. And make sure you check to see if you will need special insurance for liability coverage.There is one more home business idea that is worth mentioning. It has been saved for the last because it is different than the afore mentioned opportunities. Network marketing, also known as multi-level marketing, affiliate marketing and online marketing are unique home business opportunities that can offer a few added benefits.Similar to ‘traditional’ home based businesses, a person starting one of these marketing businesses will need to have a plan, get a little bit of education, put forth a little or a lot of effort depending on how successful you want to be, invest some money to get started, market and sell your product or service to your family, friends and then the general public. However where network and affiliate marketing differ from a ‘traditional’ home business idea in that over time as you build a base of clients and build a team of other people needing to work from their homes, your income becomes less dependent on your efforts and can actually start growing exponentially without much work on your part. The key, with any MLM type of business, is to learn, follow and teach a duplicable system and then you will start to make a percentage off of the efforts of those that you teach how to make money from home.There is a lot of benefits to working from home. Tax benefits, lower overhead costs, freedom of time (to some extent) and flexibility. Whatever home business idea you decide to choose, make sure you take the time to look into what you need to have to do it properly. Many people rush into starting a business and end up costing them much more than they could ever dream of making from fines, lawsuits and penalties. Legal fees and court costs from lawsuits or even criminal charges if you do not know what laws apply to your particular home business can bankrupt most home business owners.I hope that this article has helped you in your quest of fulfilling your dream of working from home and building the success and freedom that you are dreaming of. Good luck and much success!

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Commercial Real Estate – The Agent’s Guide to Success in Any Market

When it comes to commercial real estate sales agency, there will always be opportunity around you regardless of the property market at the time. It all comes down to the focus that you adopt and the momentum and systems to support your progress.When you consistently speak to more people in the property market, your database will grow and that creates opportunity.Essentially the people to keep in contact with fall into the following categories:Property Owners
Property Investors
Owner Occupiers
Business Owners
Tenants that run businesses in commercial premises
Buyers looking to purchase investment property
Sellers of property
Property Developers
Bankers and financiers
Landlords that own investment propertyThese groups are active; you simply need to know who they are and what they need. Commercial real estate is built around the business community. One way or the other there is always a business involved in the property; on that basis you must know lots of the right people.If you took the above contacts and built your network around them, the only other factors to grow and practice are skill related. Most particularly they are the skills that you use every day in the listing and marketing process of the properties in your care.So you can take these other skills and clearly define them. They will need practice but they are all part of being a great agent and salesperson. Here are the main ones:Create a database of all your contacts and conversations. This is the goodwill that will impact your personal market share and community.
Your prospecting and cold calling processes should be refined and kept up to scratch. You should be prospecting each day of the working week.
When you create appointments from your cold calling, the presentation and pitch for new business is quite important. The client has to know you as the agent of choice in moving the property for them.
Knowledge of the local property market is essential and will include prices, rents, and comparable properties, listings of other agents, and time on market.
When you win new listings the creative marketing process is important to find the enquiry and capture it. Well marketed properties are focused on a target market. Marketing involves internet, and newspaper adverts, signboards, and direct contact of qualified buyers. The enquiry that you find and generate will be entered into your database.
Negotiation and closing skills today are really important as the pressures of the deal apply to both the seller and the buyer. Be prepared for every negotiation with real market evidence.
When the contract or lease is negotiated, the transaction created has to be accurately represented on paper and followed through to the end. Not all agents do this well. Make sure you have this under control.So there you have some of the key issues to formulate your success in commercial real estate sales and leasing. The old saying that ‘you get back what you put in’ does still apply; make the effort and build your database of contacts. The market opportunity awaits.

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FX Currency Trading: Largest Currency Trading System in the World

Foreign Exchange, Forex or FX currency trading is the world’s comprehensive financial market that enables trading of currencies. It provides aid to international trading and investments by allowing traders to directly buy and sell currencies depending on the currency conversion rates. The entire currency trading system is self-regulated with more than US$4 trillion being traded on a daily basis. Further, there is no central governing body established to administer the currency transactions or solve any related disputes. Get free daily Forex videos.The currency trading is primarily beneficial for multinational corporations, financial institutions, tourists, governments and hedge funds. Now the growing use of online trading has opened the forex market for individual investors too. Online trading is straightforward, effortless and more accessible to pursue this arena.Benefits:FX currency trading offers numerous benefits. The major benefit being there is no startup fees, monthly payments or other investments required to commence such a trading. The forex market operates all throughout the day and closes during the weekends. This facility enables investors to take advantage of the market opportunities during various time slots in a day. Besides this, the transactions can be easily traded online from any part of the world.Another primary benefit of such trading is it offers immense freedom and allows an investor to trade directly by focusing on currencies of influential markets. The investor can start the trading with own transactions and close them based on individual choice.The other key factor which makes it popular among individuals is the trading can be initiated with a low amount. In addition, the high liquidity rate of the forex market enables instant purchase and sale of currencies. The constant fluctuations in the market give ample opportunities to perform spot trading. FX trading also facilitates to enter into short sale or selling of currency pair. It helps to involve in short selling and earn profit regardless of the market trends.The recent introduction of different user-friendly Forex software comprises of inbuilt settings that help investors to attain perfect control of the transactions and trade in a disciplined manner. Above all online foreign exchange does not involve any commissions or hidden expenses. It helps to carry the business in a faster manner without any time lag.It can thus be regarded that FX currency trading is an ideal means to earn additional income. It is however essential to be well informed about the existing and future prospective of the global economy which will help in making proper investments and gain substantial profits.

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A Guide to Help You Pick the Best Air Purifier for Your Loved Ones

Holidays are around the corner. This is the time of year when people start purchasing gifts for their loved ones. If you are going to purchase an air purifier for someone you love, we have some helpful tips for you. If you want to purchase the best unit, you may be able to use this guide to your advantage. Read on to find out more.

1: Set Your Budget

Just like anything you purchase, make sure you have set your budget first. The price of the unit will vary based on a lot of factors, such as the capacity, filter type, features, and brand of the unit. If you don’t have a flexible budget, we suggest that you go for a product that is available to purchase for less than $300.

2: Consider the Needs of the Recipient

Your next move is to consider the needs of your recipient. If you are going to purchase this unit for everyday use, we suggest that you go for a unit that comes with a HEPA filter. On the other hand, if your loved one has a specific need, we suggest that you consider a specialized unit.

For example, if they are more prone to respiratory issues, such as allergies and infections, we suggest that you get a UV purifier for them. The devices are designed to neutralize viruses and bacteria.

3: Think About the Available Space

Another primary factor is to consider the available space in the office or house of the recipient. For example, if they need a general-purpose unit for a small apartment, you may want to consider a filterless unit.

On the other hand, if they have plenty of free space, you may consider a bigger unit that features a higher airflow rating. These units are powerful enough to cover a large face.

4: Consider Extra Features

Lastly, we suggest that you consider additional features that they will just love. For example, some units come with an indicator that turns on when the filter needs to be replaced. This will allow the user to change the filter so that the device continues to work properly.

So, you may want to consider these features before you place your order. These features may not be important to you, but your friend may just be over the moon.

Long story short, we suggest that you consider these four tips if you are going to purchase a gift for your loved one on these holidays. Since the air is full of pollution during winter days, nothing can make a better gift than an air purifier. Therefore, you should consider these tips before looking for an online or physical store to make your purchase decision.

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