Aberdeen International Airport upBEAT Magazine Winter 2015-16 issue by Aberdeen International Airport

4 CONTENTS

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14 Orkney – drama on your doorstep

BUSINESS 6 Airport news PEOPLE 12 It’s never too choco-late to learn – a selection of chocolate activities 22 ABZ Adventurers 32 Six of the best – cafés in Aberdeenshire 44 Cairngorms National Park – where the adventure begins 46 Local hero – Ben Kilner, Olympic snowboarder 50 Words worth reading 54 Diary COMPETITIONS 41 Celebrate love and win with Air France – win two return tickets to any destination in the Air France worldwide network CULTURE 42 What’s On

32 Six of the best – cafés in Aberdeenshire

52 The Beat goes on – win £100 voucher to spend at World Duty Free, Aberdeen International Airport TRAVEL 10 Warsaw – something old, something new 14 Orkney – drama on your doorstep 18 Icelandair flights begin in March 2016 26 Connecting you to the world – a selection of long haul destinations 30 Head for the sun – year round sunshine from Aberdeen 38 What kind of romantic are you? Six romantic destinations SHOPPING 20 In a hurry? On a budget? Our tips on how to save time and money at the airport

EDITORIAL

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Prices are correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change. The publisher cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The views and opinions of contributors in the magazine may not represent the views of the publisher. upBEAT magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers in this publication. All information correct at time of going to print (January 2016). Cover: vadimguzhva/Thinkstock

WELCOME

Welcome to the latest issue of upBEAT, Aberdeen International Airport’s passenger magazine.

Commencing in mid-2016, the three year plan will see the terminal increase in size by 50% and deliver new facilities for immigration, domestic and international baggage reclaim, and security search, as well as business lounges and an exciting new retail and catering layout in the departure lounge.

Welcome to our first edition of upBEAT for 2016. With the current downturn in the economic climate locally, we share the news that our passenger levels took a slight drop in 2016. However, we are still able to boast our 2nd highest passenger throughput ever. More positively, it is fantastic for me to able to share with you the news that we are about to commence the biggest transformation on our terminal since it was built back in 1977. Enabling works have been taking place in preparation for this over the last 2 years, but the £18million Terminal Transformation project commences now. John Deffenbaugh, Head of Terminal Redevelopment, explains more. In addition to this exciting news, we also see three new routes launch from Aberdeen in the first six months. We welcome new airline partners Icelandair in March, with 4 weekly flights to Reykjavik. In May, Wizz Air launch a twice weekly service to Warsaw, and following the success of their Gdañsk route, are adding a third weekly service to this destination for the summer. We also see Thomson launch new direct summer flights to Gran Canaria, you can read more about Icelandair and these new destinations later on in this issue. I hope you enjoy your read.

The new facilities will generate a step change in the quality of passenger experience and deliver a twenty first century terminal the region can be proud of. The first phase will commence in mid-2016 and complete by June 2017. This will see the construction of a two storey extension to the south of the existing terminal. At ground level, the extension will accommodate all facilities for international arriving passengers and also domestic baggage reclaim. Two business lounges will be located on the upper level, accessed via the departure lounge. All areas will be considerably larger than existing facilities: immigration space will more than double and the length of the domestic and international baggage reclaim carousels will increase by over 20m each. To facilitate construction of our new extension, it will be necessary to relocate immigration and both international and domestic baggage reclaims to

alternative sites while we build the permanent facilities. From early May 2016, international arriving passengers will clear immigration and collect hold luggage in a temporary facility immediately adjacent to the terminal building. Likewise, domestic arriving passengers will collect hold luggage from a temporary facility on the front forecourt, next to the terminal’s main entrance. In both cases, staff will be on hand to provide assistance and comprehensive signage will be installed ensure changes to passenger routes are clear. We are committed to minimising the impact of construction activity on our passengers and have worked hard to ensure that the temporary facilities continue to deliver the required quality of experience. However, we would appreciate your patience and understanding whilst we transform the airport. Regular progress updates will be provided on our website and social media channels so please follow us on Twitter or Facebook for all the latest information during this exciting time.

AIRPORT NEWS

GETTING TO ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BY TRAIN Aberdeen and Inverness services stop at the local station at Dyce which is just a short taxi or bus ride from the Airport. Bus number 80, operated by Stagecoach, runs from Dyce Station (Mon-Fri only). Details at www.stagecoachbus.com or call +44 (0) 1224 597590. The mainline station is in Aberdeen City Centre where there are frequent services to all parts of Scotland. For further information, please visit: www.travelinescotland.com BY BUS Regular bus services operate to the Airport from Aberdeen City Centre. The JET 727 bus runs from Union Square, right by the bus and train stations, making only four stops en route to the Airport. Services are less frequent at the weekends. Details at www.stagecoachbus.com or call +44 (0) 1224 597590. First Aberdeen also runs a weekday only service number 27 from Union Square. Details can be found at www.firstgroup.com or call +44 (0) 870 200 22 33. BY CAR The access road to the Airport is signposted from the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road. The Airport is seven miles from Aberdeen City Centre. The main car park is located at the front of the terminal building for short-stay parking. If you are using a satellite navigation system, the Airport postcode is AB21 7DU.

Flybe announces Newquay route from Aberdeen Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has announced a brand new route from Aberdeen to Newquay, Cornwall. The new route will operate on Saturdays during the summer season, with the first flight departing on 28th May 2016. This seaside destination often tops polls as one of the UK’s favourite summer destinations, with miles of golden sandy beaches, and plenty of landmarks to visit. This coastal town is

a popular choice for families, friends and couples alike. Alongside this new route announcement Flybe has included extra flights to Belfast City, Birmingham and Manchester with up to 13 additional flights a week to these key city destinations. Seats can be booked now on www.flybe.com

December 2016 four day trip to Lapland direct from Aberdeen

BY BICYCLE Aberdeen International Airport is a relatively easy airport to get to by bike. There is a high quality off-road cycle route from the A947 (Dyce) roundabout onwards. If travelling for a short break an option may be to leave your bicycle in the modern, covered cycle stand at the Airport. Although the festive season has now passed, you might want to start thinking about how to make this December an extra special one to remember. Santa’s Lapland offers a spectacular four day trip to Santa’s home in Saariselkä, Finland, flying direct from Aberdeen. Stay in one of Santa’s Christmas cabins or hotels and enjoy all these fantastic adventures: a private

meeting with the real Santa, husky sled ride, reindeer and snowmobile sleigh rides plus a range of snow and ice fun activities. Santa’s Lapland is the perfect way to create magical family memories to treasure for a lifetime. Prices start from £999 per adult and £439 per child, visit www.santaslapland.com or call 01483 791 945 for more details.

AIRPORT NEWS

Local projects benefit from Airport Community Fund Six lucky groups have been awarded cash donations as part of Aberdeen International Airport’s Community Fund. The donations, ranging from £100 to £1900, were awarded to locally based groups. A donation to Cornerstone, a charity providing care and support services for adults, children and young people with disabilities and other support needs, will allow a visit to Dundee for 10 children with learning disabilities. Aberdeen for a Fairer World, who aim to educate and enable people in the North East of Scotland to take action to create a fairer world, were awarded funds to help set up a Fair Trade shop in Aberdeen. Funds were awarded to North East Scotland Music School to create new signs for their building in Aberdeen. Carol Benzie, Managing Director of Aberdeen International Airport, said, “NESMS is a wonderful charity that has been providing support to musicians from across the North East of Scotland for over 40 years. Our community fund was only too happy to support the team of volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure NESMS can continue to offer so many people an outlet for their talent. Our donation

will allow them to increase awareness of the range of services they provide and ensure they can continue to blow their own trumpet.” Also amongst the selected groups were Midmar Primary School, who are working on an exciting project to build an outdoor classroom. It will be used alongside the school’s Forest School activities to encourage children to spend more time outside, learning in a more ‘hands-on’ way about the countryside, nature, agriculture, ecology, land management and weather. The two other lucky groups securing funding were Granite City Pipes and Drums who were awarded a donation towards a roll of tartan for their uniforms, and the 102 Air Cadet Squadron, who will put the donation towards a new laptop. The Fund places priority on funding projects linked to education, the environment and economic regeneration in the Aberdeen City and Shire area. If you know a local organisation who might like to apply for funding from the airport, contact communityfund@aiaiport.com for further information.

Car rental area receives a makeover Work to update and improve signage within the busy car rental area was completed recently. The five week programme of works included upgrading of the branded signage. This will enhance the car rental customer experience and allow for a smooth transition when picking up and returning cars. The cabins used for returning cars have also been relocated in line with the new space layout, making it easier for customers to interact with the car rental teams on their return journey.

BEFORE YOU FLY

2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR TRIP For the best deals, book your car parking online: www.aberdeenairport.com/parking

1 WEEK BEFORE YOUR TRIP > Order your currency online for easy collection when you get to the airport: www.aberdeenairport.com/currency > Check all your travel documents and ensure your passport is current, that you have a visa (if required) and that you have noted the flight times on your tickets.

THE DAY BEFORE YOU FLY Check the weight of your suitcase and prep your cabin bag. Decant any liquids, gels, etc into a small plastic bag.

THE DAY YOU FLY > Allow plenty of time to get to the airport, to check-in and clear through security. > Remember to check the rules on sharps! > Dispose of liquids above 100ml before you reach the security area. > Remember that jackets & belts must be removed. > Laptops & mobiles to be presented separately.

AIRPORT NEWS

Aberdeen International Airport receives Customer First re-accreditation

Investment on the Airfield Work has recently been completed on the construction of a new snowbase building at the airport. This building protects our snow clearing fleet from all weather conditions, meaning that each vehicle’s asset life is extended. Our snow fleet is incredibly important to the airport as it allows us to clear the airfield of snow so that it is safe for aircraft to continue operating. The situation of the building allows a quick response by the airside winter maintenance teams in the event of harsh weather. Work is progressing well on the construction of two new parking stands to accommodate Q400 type aircraft. This project is currently on programme and the stands will be available for use as of early 2016, providing much needed aircraft parking capacity for the future. We have also received delivery of three new plug-in hybrid vehicles with an effective battery patrol range of 20 miles. They provide an ideal solution for the replacement of airport safety and security patrol vehicles, which collectively cover 50,000 miles per year at the airport. The vehicles allow for routine patrols on paved and unpaved areas to be carried out on battery power. The capability to operate purely on battery power with a petrol engine available for emergency responses, allows the vehicles to be operated on significantly less fuel, reducing operating costs, localised exhaust emissions and local noise emissions, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the operation.

‘Putting the Customer First’ is the National Standard for Customer Service and we are proud to announce that in October we successfully retained our Customer First accreditation for a further two years. Customer First noted that, ‘the whole ethos of the organisation is to ensure that safe travel is combined with an effective customer

experience: this is evident from the first point of contact, where airport staff are continually available to support passengers, to the point that they depart.’ Aberdeen International Airport is dedicated to putting customers at the heart of the service we offer, and the Customer First Accreditation is a great validation for the airport.

SAS increase Aberdeen to Oslo route to double daily From April this year SAS will enhance its offering to and from Oslo with flights increasing from once to twice daily. This will benefit those looking for a day trip to Oslo, as passengers will now be able to take a flight from Aberdeen to Oslo in the morning, and return in the evening of the same day. Flights can be booked on www.flysas.com

PRODUCT FOCUS

Thanks to the island’s year-round sun, there’s always a good excuse to jet off on a Gran Canarian adventure with Thomson or First Choice. Here’s a taste of what you can expect… EVERYONE’S FAVOURITE With its rich mix of countryside and eclectic stylings, Gran Canaria is far from a one-trick pony. Rolling hills contrast with sandy beaches, while traditional whitewashed villages are paired with purpose-built tourist havens. Such diversity means crowds have flocked here for hundreds of years; and today, the island is as popular as ever. SAND AND SEA Gran Canaria’s made-to-measure beaches offer something for everyone. Secluded coves mingle with vast swathes of sand, stretching out for miles. At the island’s southernmost tip, you could spend hours hopping your way along the much-loved Playa del Ingles. Close by, Maspalomas draws the crowds with its never-ending expanse of sandy dunes and 19th century lighthouse, while families flock to the quieter San Agustín for bucket and spade fun. In search of the perfect spot to enjoy dinner with a view? Head further west to Puerto Mogan’s marina, where you’ll find a string of harbourside eateries, specialising in everything

from fresh seafood to Canarian favourites, like grilled meat dishes. DRAMATIC SCENERY Beaches aside, Gran Canaria is home to some dramatic natural beauty. Take to the hills and explore Pilancones

Natural Park. Just an hour’s drive from Maspalomas, it’s well within your reach, and the thick pine forests make it an ideal habitat for bird and animal life. You’ll have the chance to glimpse rare and endangered plants and wildlife at every turn, so have your camera ready for snaps that David Attenborough and his crew would be proud of.

A TOUCH OF CLASS For those in search of chic, Meloneras and Playa Taurito turn the class up a notch. Both are home to a good smattering of luxury hotels, bars and restaurants. In Meloneras, modern shopping malls and designer brands can be found as readily as smaller boutiques. If you’re in the mood to splurge, head to the seafront Lopesan Boulevard El Faro shopping centre. It’s Meloneras’ most recent addition and hosts one of the best collections of shops, bars and restaurants on the island. WHERE TO STAY For family frolics, check out Thomson’s Family Life Playa Feliz or the Servatur Waiki, which is set to join First Choice’s SuneoClub range next winter after a full makeover. If you’re after somewhere special, check out the 5T Lopesan Baobab - it is exclusive to Thomson’s luxury Platinum collection and offers a taste of Africa, with jungle-like gardens and safari lodge styling. www.thomson.co.uk www.firstchoice.co.uk

WARSAW Something old, Something new

In under three hours from Aberdeen via the aptly-named Wizz Air, you can be setting out to discover one of Europe’s most fascinating cities, the Polish capital of Warsaw. Virtually obliterated during WW2, the city was painstakingly reconstructed, and as such is a stunning mix of restored Gothic buildings, brutalist Communist era blocks and cutting-edge modern structures. The city contains a wealth of museums, but the Warsaw Uprising Museum has to be one of the most fascinating. Its mission statement is to capture the spirit of the Polish uprising in 1944 after five years of occupation, but this is no dusty archive. Visitors can experience what it felt like to travel underground - in a replica sewer (minus the filth), to escape detection from the occupied territory above. There is a wall which contains the sounds of battle with an underscore of heartbeats, and a huge hangar with a large American heavy bomber inside. The building also has an observation tower with panoramic views and a 1940s-style café. Another must-visit is the Copernicus Science Centre, built in 2010 as a result of the success of the giant Science Picnic held in Warsaw every year, Europe’s largest outdoor science popularisation event. The Centre has seven permanent exhibitions, including the Thinkatorium and a Robotic Theatre, as well as the Discovery Park and Rooftop Gardens that are open all

year. In-house experts called Explainers are enthusiasts who mingle with the crowds, explaining anything and everything. Eating in Warsaw can be as grand or as low-key as you like, from Atelier Amaro (the only Michelin starred restaurant in Poland), to the milk bars or Bar Mleczny which you will find dotted around the city. These unassuming cafés gained popularity after WW2 when they were subsidised by the government, so the local people had somewhere to go for cheap and nourishing food. These days they are turning into trendy places for students but still offer a meal for a few zloty. Typical fare includes pierogi (potato dumplings) served with mushroom sauce; cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and meat; and thin crepes stuffed with soft cheese and topped with blueberries and cream. Drinking is embraced with gusto in Poland, particularly the national drink of vodka. Shot bars have become very popular, where you can sample different flavours of vodka or have a small beer and a snack, and there are plenty of traditional style pubs with a variety of craft beers. The Praga district on the opposite side of the river

to the Old Town has recently had a resurgence and is a favourite with partygoers. Shopping doesn’t fall short in Warsaw either, ranging from tiny ethnic shops in cobbled alleyways and markets, to the neon Gucci sign and heavy security in designer heaven Vitkac. There are many shopping malls, including Złote Tarasy which has a huge 10,000m2 dome in the centre. Typical Polish products can be picked up around the Old Town, including amber jewellery and traditional Boleslawiec pottery, with the traditional ‘peacock eye’ pattern. Antique bookshops also abound, and can be a treasure trove of old postcards, posters and memorabilia. There are shops full of unusual designs inspired by the Communist Era for a quirky souvenir. For Polish designers and jewellery stores, head to Mokotowska Street. Other great shopping haunts can be found on Nowy Świat Street, Chmielna Street and Pasaź Wiecha. From culture to cafés, vodka to the Vistula and pierogi to palaces - Warsaw has something old and something new to offer everyone - Na zdrowie! www.warsawtour.pl www.wizzair.com

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

NEVER TOO CHOCO-LATE TO LEARN A chocolate-covered assortment of activities in Aberdeen... There is hardly a feast, holiday or celebration that doesn’t include chocolate: representing romance on Valentine’s Day, guaranteed to gain Brownie points on Mother’s Day, and hidden or rolled to delight children at Easter. There are so many memorable chocolate adverts, from the Milk Tray man dressed as a cat burglar leaving anonymous chocolate boxes, to a Mars bar being all you needed in the 70s to work, rest AND play, and remember those floaty, misty Flake creations? Chocolate is so much part of our lives in the 21st century that it doesn’t seem like a particularly special substance, but it was traditionally attributed magical, medicinal

and mythical properties by the Mayans and Aztecs. The cacao tree is called Theobroma Cacao in Latin - or ‘Food of the gods’. Some of the names we associate with chocolate today were great inventors and innovators, names such as Joseph Fry, Henri Nestlé and Rudolphe Lindt, but today the two main jobs associated with the chocolate industry are the chocolate makers and the chocolatiers. Chocolate makers make chocolate from raw ingredients and the chocolatier makes confectionery from that chocolate. Jamie Hutcheon of Cocoa Ooze in Aberdeen is one of the latter, something which was his life’s ambition and began when he was just 17.

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

> World Chocolate Day is 7 July. > M&M's were created for soldiers in 1941, so they wouldn’t melt in their pockets. > In 2013, Belgium created a limited edition of chocolate-flavoured stamps. > George Cadbury was a Quaker who amassed a great fortune producing drinking chocolate as an alternative to alcohol. Cocoa Ooze is situated in Belmont Street, and sells lovingly crafted and locally made luxury chocolates alongside a coffee shop with homebaking, however that is just the tip of the Toblerone. Behind the scenes are a host of tasty activities including chocolate workshops, chocolate demonstrations and children’s parties. To learn to be a master chocolatier takes years of training and practice, learning to perfect techniques of design and the art of flavour. However that’s not to say that an amateur chocolate fan can’t produce something pretty tasty over the course of an afternoon, and what better for an Easter or Mother’s Day present than a place on a chocolate-making workshop? The workshops are held on site in the Aberdeen City Centre premises, and promise two hours learning the dark art of the chocolatier, first tasting their in-house flavours, then creating bars and truffles of your own, which you can take home (if there’s any left...). Children are also valued customers, with public workshops available in the school holidays for 4 to 16 year olds as well as for birthday parties, where expert chocolatiers will assist in the making of personalised bars, lollipops and marshmallow creations. Cocoa Ooze also partner the Tippling House, offering chocolate and whisky tasting packages for groups

and matching craft beers with artisan chocolate flavours. Plans for 2016 include extending the in-house delights at Belmont Street, partnering chocolate with champagne, gin, and even balsamic vinegar. For those who prefer not be so hands on, there are demonstrations on tempering and chocolate making, flavour experimenting and tips on packaging and presentation. Aberdeen based wine educator and writer, Carol Brown can arrange tailor-made chocolate and wine tastings either in your home or as a corporate event. Chocolate and wine matching can be tricky so she helps participants to select complementary flavours in both, with sweet wines usually providing the best matches. Finally Hotel Chocolat, who have a branch in Aberdeen’s Union Square have a tasting club which you can join, sign up to receive a tasting box every month to help them test their latest recipes, and learn more about where the ingredients come from. So perhaps this year, when thoughts turn to chocolate, make a date to find out more about the ‘food of the gods’.

www.cocoa-ooze.co.uk www.wineuncorkededucation.co.uk www.hotelchocolat.com

> The chocolate river in the 1971 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory film was real chocolate mixed with cream and water. > The Swiss eat the most chocolate, on average 22lbs each a year. > The inventor of the chocolate chip cookie sold the recipe to Nestlé in return for a lifetime supply of chocolate. > The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, triggering relaxation. > In Aztec legend, the god Quetzalcoatl brought cacao to Earth, but was cast out of Heaven for giving it to humans. >

Chocolate is the only edible substance to melt just below human body temperature - which is why it melts in your mouth!

DOMESTIC OUTBOUND

Orkney was one of those places on my bucket list, I had heard about its magical light, the friendly people and stunning scenery, but it wasn’t until we decided to take the plunge and visit that I became truly captivated. Less than an hour’s flight from Aberdeen with Flybe, Kirkwall airport is well positioned to start you off on your adventure. Operated by Loganair, it is the hub for onward island flights, including the world’s shortest scheduled flight from Westray to Papa Westray which is under 2 minutes! SCENERY TO WRITE HOME ABOUT Orkney has been captivating people for thousands of years, even from the window of the plane you can see why. The archipelago is made up of 70 islands and many of these can be visited by ferry or internal flights. Sparkling white beaches and dramatic cliff formations abound, but the true beauty of an island landscape is that there is a new vista round every corner, whether you are a photographer, a painter, or just want to store away a beautiful memory. The changeable weather contributes to the drama, creating unrivalled sunrises and sunsets. Marwick Head in Birsay has stunning cliffs from which to view the vastness of the Atlantic, Mull Head in Deerness provides a great location from which to watch the sun set over Copinsay, and a visit to the Cliffs of Yesnaby near Sandwick is one of the most memorable days I have had. The cliffs, sea stacks and blow holes through which the sea furiously boils, create a truly dramatic effect. Climbers are attracted by the sea stack Yesnaby Castle, referred to by some as a smaller Old Man of Hoy, which can also be found in the Orkney Islands. SEAWEED-EATING SHEEP AND A WINE FESTIVAL Is that music to anyone else’s ears? Great food and drink are a very important part of modern and traditional Orkney and much

importance is placed on unique and local produce. The rare breed sheep of North Ronaldsay live largely on a diet of foraged seaweed, which gives both their meat and wool a uniqueness that is prized by locals and visitors alike. The islands are also host to Scotland’s only wine festival in June every year, featuring a lively wine fair and informal dinners. Orcadians were traditionally known as farmers who fished (and Shetlanders vice versa), but these days locally reared beef, sustainably fished crab, lobster, scallops and salmon are all fished and farmed in the Orkneys, and there is even an Orkney Buffalo farm in Deerness. There are two distilleries, the larger Highland Park which has a well-stocked shop and visitor centre with tours available, and the tiny Scapa distillery which is almost entirely run by three men. The island also boasts two award-winning breweries (Orkney and Swannay) and the Orkney Wine Company which makes a range of fruit wines and liqueurs using local ingredients such as gorse, blackcurrants, sloes and rhubarb. OLDER THAN THE PYRAMIDS The islands have long been famous for the richness of their well-preserved archaeology, and the newest find in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site is the Ness of Brodgar, host to an active dig in the summer months which can be visited

DOMESTIC OUTBOUND

by the public. A few miles north-east of Stromness, the area contains a wealth of fascinating Neolithic finds, including Maeshowe - a chambered tomb more than 5,000 years old which was broken into by Vikings in the mid-twelfth century. The raiders left their mark in the form of graffiti runes which can still be seen today. A stone’s throw away (although you might struggle to throw these ones), are the Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness, both striking examples of stone circles and burial mounds from the Neolithic period. Also well worth a visit is Skara Brae, near the dramatic white beach of Skaill - the best preserved group of prehistoric houses in Western Europe, which were uncovered by a storm in 1850. There is a great visitor centre here, which walks you through the centuries, as well as serving coffee and cake. HISTORY AT THE SURFACE Not all of Orkney’s historical lure is Neolithic, as the islands contain a number of poignant and dramatic WW1 and WW2 sites. In October 1939 the German

U-boat U47 crept undetected into Scapa Flow, a natural harbour sheltered by the islands. Battleship HMS Royal Oak was lying at anchor in the harbour with 833 crew on board, all of whom were lost in the subsequent torpedo attack. The Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm in the south of Orkney Mainland was built and decorated by Italian prisoners-of-war who were brought in to build causeways between the south isles, to make sure Orkney could be defended properly in future. It is well worth a visit, with clever use of painting styles and reclaimed materials, as well as a heart-warming back story.

wrecks are war graves and therefore private, other wrecks provide a unique and fascinating experience for divers, who are able to observe these unique ecosystems up close, as well as having the chance to meet up with a seal or perhaps even a basking shark!

After the Armistice at the end of WW1, 74 ships from the German fleet were ordered to Scapa Flow where they stayed for 10 months and became a tourist attraction. In June 1919, on hearing that a surrender was inevitable, the German officer in command ordered the entire fleet to be sunk. Although most were removed soon after, seven wrecks still remain in Scapa Flow and are quite dramatically visible as you drive over the causeway. Whilst the HMS Royal Oak and similar

You’ll never forget the first time you visited, and you’ll definitely want to return. Thankfully, there are 17 flights a week from Aberdeen, so make a date to get acquainted with Orkney.

In May 2016, the Orkney Islands will host a series of events commemorating 100 years since the biggest naval battle of the First World War, the Battle of Jutland, including a service at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. These islands are so full of drama, both past and present, and there is much to see and experience.

www.orkney.com | www.visitorkney.com For island hopping: www.loganair.co.uk | www.orkneyferries.com

LONGHAUL AIRLINE FOCUS

SAGA CLASS ICELANDAIR 757

ECONOMY COMFORT ICELANDAIR 757

Icelandair, Iceland’s leading airline, will offer a new year-round service from Aberdeen to Reykjavik (KEF). The new route provides Aberdeen with a direct link to Iceland, a popular destination in its own right, as well as offer easy connections and shorter travel times to USA and Canada. The Aberdeen gateway will be Icelandair’s second in Scotland and sixth in the UK. Services will commence on 9 March 2016, operating four times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flights are already open for bookings. The 2-hour-50-minute Aberdeen to Iceland route will be operated on behalf of Icelandair by Air Iceland, Icelandair’s sister company that specialises in domestic flights and flights to Iceland’s neighbouring regions. Aircrafts used are Air Iceland’s new fleet of Q400 Bombardier with comfortable seating and good legroom for up to 72 passengers. For connecting flights to North America, passengers will travel on board Icelandair’s fleet of Boeing 757s

and 767s equipped with wi-fi, LED mood lighting and comfortable leather seats with built-in entertainment systems. Icelandair offers a choice of three cabins:

alcoholic beverages. The middle seat is blocked for comfort on connecting flights.

ECONOMY CLASS: Our Economy Class is for passengers looking for quality at an affordable price. Passengers may check in 1 bag weighing up to 23 kg to Iceland and 2 x 23 kg to North America. In-flight passengers receive non-alcoholic refreshments and a personal iPad with entertainment to Iceland. Seat selection is complimentary.

Available on all Icelandair connecting flights, Saga Class offers ultimate flexibility and travel experience with comfort and top quality services.

SAGA CLASS:

ECONOMY COMFORT: We recommend Economy Comfort when you want all the benefits of Economy Class with some extra comfort such as priority check in, complimentary meals and

Icelandair has been a pioneer in tourism by offering passengers stopovers in Iceland since the 1960s. Enjoy crossing the Atlantic with Icelandair on your way between Europe and North America by breaking up your long haul journey with up to 7 nights in Iceland at no additional airfare, enjoying two exciting destinations in one trip.

LONGHAUL AIRLINE FOCUS

20 RETAIL

We know that time and money are both precious commodities, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to share some of our hints and tips on how to save some of both at Aberdeen International Airport. SAVE MONEY... TAX-FREE/DUTY-FREE SHOPPING (WORLD DUTY FREE AND DIXONS) Anyone can buy, no matter where you are flying to!

prices with tax-free savings in WDF and Dixons. Take advantage of high street pricing even when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the airport at Boots.

If you are travelling to a non-EU destination, such as Norway, Tenerife or Geneva, you can take advantage of duty-free savings in World Duty Free (WDF). Look out for colour-coded labels on shelves within WDF: blue means anyone can buy and green highlights duty-free products for those travelling to a non-EU destination.

FREE SHOP AND COLLECT SERVICE Make all your purchases on your departure and pick them up on your return with our free and easy Shop and Collect service, available to all passengers travelling within the EU (including flights within the UK). We store your goods securely while you are away, then on your return to the airport they will be waiting for you at the convenient collection point located beside the check in desks, at any time of day.

When flying within the UK or EU you can buy in any of our stores and make great savings against high street

PERSONAL SHOPPER Whether you are looking for gifts to take home for family

and friends, or a treat for yourself, our personal shopper Debbie Clark has a wide product knowledge and will make sure you get the best deals too! Get in touch with Debbie on 07720312632 or at Debbie.Clark@aiairport.com PRE-ORDER CURRENCY (TRAVELEX) Travelex check the exchange rates of major banks and high street retailers every day and adjust their rates accordingly to ensure that they can offer the most competitive rate on foreign currency. There are around 50 currencies that you can order from Travelex, order online to collect at the airport to

...SAVE TIME PRIORITY PARKING Priority Parking is for your VIP trip - if you want guaranteed undercover spaces, with wider bays and access to Priority security then Priority Parking is for you, only 100 steps to check in, and make your parking a priority. PRIORITY SECURITY In a hurry? Then why not save time and enjoy the convenience of Priority Security? Our Priority Security service is available for all passengers, providing an added convenience on your way through departures. For just £3.50 you can ease through the dedicated Priority Security lane, avoid peak-time queues and have time to relax before your flight. Book online today at www. aberdeenairport.com/prioritysecurity. Priority Security is also included in the price of a Priority Parking booking.

make sure you are getting the best rate on your currency. If you need euros, US Dollars or the Travelex Cash Passport, order online and you only have to wait four hours before you can collect at the airport. If you need any other currencies, simply order by 3pm and you can collect your order from the airport the very next day. Order your currency now at www.aberdeenairport.com/currency OFFICIAL ON-SITE PARKING - WE HAVE YOUR PARKING COVERED! Guarantee yourself the best prices in the official onsite car parks - huge savings guaranteed online at www.aberdeenairport.com/parking. You can book your parking the day before you get here and still save! For a holiday or leisure trip, our Long Stay car park is only a two minute bus journey from the terminal and offers the most competitive rates, prices start at as little as £5.99 per day. Our Short Stay multi-storey car park

is walking distance and located directly across from the terminal with undercover spaces available, and you can pre book for a single day’s travel - making it ideal for a business trip. PRE-BOOK CAR RENTAL Book online before you arrive to make sure you get the best prices and savings on your hire car. There are a range of onsite companies you can book with including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and National. WEBSITE OFFERS AND VOUCHERS FOR AIRPORT SHOPPING AND EATING FACILITIES Savings and current offers can be found at www.aberdeenairport.com/shopping. Also, visit www.eatdrinkandfly.com/aberdeen for some great food and drink vouchers and offers within our catering outlets.

CHECK IN ONLINE Passengers travelling with a number of airlines can check in online for flights departing from Aberdeen. Not all passengers and flights are eligible, for example, some airlines won’t let you check in online if you have hold luggage, so do check the service conditions beforehand. If you have checked in online you still have to arrive in good time for your flight, so pay close attention to the times given by your airline for dropping bags, collecting boarding cards and arriving at the gate. SELF-SERVICE MACHINES Depending on your airline, you may be able to use the time-saving self-service machines. Simply use the self-service kiosk to check in and print your boarding card, then go to the fast bag drop desk. At Aberdeen International Airport there are selfservice check in kiosks (located near the standard check in desks) for passengers flying with Flybe, SAS, Wideroe, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa.

Lorraine Garden, Pam McDermott, Jackie Robertson & Avril Ewan

From: Aberdeen | Travelling to: Belfast We often go on holiday together, different locations every year and always fly from Aberdeen, it’s so much easier. We would never leave home to travel without makeup and hair straighteners. Avril once turned up with just a handbag as she thought that’s what ‘just hand luggage’ meant, so we had to lend her pyjamas! Our travel tips are to be prepared and always travel with friends.

We chat to passengers travelling from Aberdeen International Airport and find out who their favourite travel companion is and what they wished they had never forgotten!

The Turriff Tangle

From: Aberdeen | Travelling to: Belfast We’re going on a ladies’ weekend to the Belfast markets. All of our hats have got our Elf names on which you get from the Elf Name generator online. We never go on a trip without Uncle Bulgaria, this year he has already been to China and Inverness. The thing we most often forget to take on holiday is our husbands, and our top travel tip would be - always travel with friends and prosecco!

Rebecca Adams

Franz Sonnberger

Sandy Barclay

From: Aberdeen | Travelling to: Nuremberg, via Paris I’m visiting a friend and will visit the Christmas markets there. I wouldn’t leave home without my hairbrush, make-up and straighteners. Once I forgot my make-up brushes and had to use my fingers instead, but really if you forget stuff, it’s not the end of the world. My favourite people to travel with are my friends, and my top travel tip would be just relax and enjoy yourself.

From: Austria | Travelling to: Vienna, via Amsterdam I have just completed my MSc in Finance and Investment, in fact my graduation was yesterday. I am travelling home with my family, who are my favourite travelling companions. I never go anywhere without my phone, and the worst thing I ever forgot was the charger! I think it’s important to arrive early, so you can strike a good balance between being organised and being relaxed.

From: Aberdeen | Travelling to: Belfast I’m from Aberdeen but I live in Belfast now, so I use this flight a lot. I would never leave home without my iPhone, my iPad and my Aberdeen Football Club top. My favourite person to travel with is my mate Kev, as he always buys a round! I’ve never forgotten anything vital on a flight, and my top tip would be to arrive early at the airport.

LONGHAUL AIRLINE FOCUS

LONGHAUL DESTINATIONS

BEIJING WITH KLM A unique and immersive experience, a visit to China captures the imagination with its blend of old and new. Beijing, the historic city of emperors, dragons and palaces, also houses ultra-modern architecture. It brings to mind an almost fantastical universe! The secrets of the Forbidden City and the harmonious gardens of the Summer Palace will take you back to Imperial China. To see another facet of Beijing, amble through the hutongs, the name given to the old alleyways of the capital. To relax, visit one of the numerous parks where you can rest your eyes on centuries-old trees and jade-coloured lakes. If you’re in a party mood, end your day in one of the popular bars that line the shores of Houhai Lake, but not before doing some shopping at the city’s famous silk and pearl markets. Whether for business or pleasure, a trip to Beijing never fails to impress. FLY WITH KLM VIA AMSTERDAM TO BEIJING WWW.KLM.COM

There’s a world of choice to connect long-haul to any global destination with our global carriers at Aberdeen International Airport this season. JOHANNESBURG WITH LUFTHANSA Visit the largest city in South Africa’s ‘Rainbow Nation’ and experience a lively city of contrasts. A vibrant culture scene thrives in the Newtown Cultural Precinct, an entire area dedicated to the arts containing restaurants, craft markets, theatre and museums. Walk or cycle over the impressive Nelson Mandela bridge and admire a multitude of outdoor artworks, or wait till nightfall and watch the bridge become a rainbow of lights. Get in touch with your ancestors in the Maropeng ‘Cradle of Humankind’ world heritage site, and visit the ancient Sterkfontein limestone caves, or stay in one of a great collection of safari lodges. Select from hundreds of local wines, visit the Fashion District for beautiful African fabrics or shop at fun weekend markets in Sandton. FLY WITH LUFTHANSA VIA FRANKFURT TO JOHANNESBURG WWW.LH.COM

NEW YORK WITH AIR FRANCE Few cities in the world can match the diversity of New York. Its endless dynamism and vast cityscape ensure that with each visit you’ll discover something new. If you want to shop ’til you drop, head to southern Manhattan and explore its beautiful trendy neighbourhoods - including the fashionable Meat Packing District and funky Bleecker Street in the West Village. Bargain hunters may be tempted by buzzing Brooklyn, where flea markets attract a discerning crowd of treasure seekers. Elsewhere, Chelsea Market is the meeting place of gourmands and gourmets alike. For some unusual sightseeing, go and spot the statues dotted along the Literary Walk in Central Park; then let yourself be amazed by the Museum of Arts and Design. No visit is complete without a trip to the ever-impressive Times Square, where the dazzling lights and lively atmosphere will make you realize that, in New York, anything - absolutely anything - is possible. FLY WITH AIR FRANCE VIA PARIS TO NEW YORK WWW.AIRFRANCE.CO.UK

LONGHAUL DESTINATIONS

RIO DE JANEIRO WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS There are two excellent excuses for visiting the party capital of Brazil this year, the Summer Olympics on 5-21 August, and the annual Carnival on 5-9 February. Carnival time is legendary in Rio de Janeiro, when the streets fill with samba-fuelled nightlife. Dress up and join the Samba Parade which stretches throughout the city, then to relax, take a trip to Costa Verde south of the city and one of the forest-fringed beaches that hug the coast. This is the first ever Olympics solely on South American soil, so why not make a date to catch beach volleyball on Copacobana beach, or attend the opening and closing ceremonies at Maracanã Stadium. While in Rio, make your way through the streets and the urban jungle of Parque Nacional da Tijuca to the feet of the Christ the Redeemer statue, which stands high above the city on Corcovado, or you can zip up on the funicular to save time and shoe leather. FLY WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS VIA LONDON HEATHROW TO RIO DE JANEIRO WWW.BA.COM

TOKYO WITH SAS Japan’s Cherry Blossom or ‘Sakura’ Season runs from late March to late April and can be enjoyed in Tokyo’s Ueno Park which has over 1,000 trees. Ueno is Tokyo’s oldest park and is also home to many museums, statues and gardens. Plum blossom season is earlier, from early February to early March. Stroll down Ramen Street and see Tokyo station at night, or try out an Edo-period bathhouse in Ooedo Onson Monogatai, a hot spring-themed park which offers hot sand baths and a rock salt sauna. If a bit of alternative shopping hits the spot, Tokyo is full of quirky retail experiences. Look out for traditional blue and white Japanese ceramics, antique and new kimonos and kabuki puppets, or visit Restir megaboutique for a luxurious fashion shopping experience including a VIP room and a live DJ. FLY WITH SAS VIA COPENHAGEN TO TOKYO WWW.FLYSAS.COM

TORONTO WITH ICELANDAIR Toronto is a leading metropolis of business, arts, and culture with famous tourist attractions such as the CN tower and Toronto Zoo’s baby pandas, a large number of festivals such as the Downtown Jazz Festival or a wide number of fascinating museums; the most remarkable of which is the Bata Shoe Museum, with 10,000 pairs of shoes on display. Fly there with Icelandair from Aberdeen with flights starting from March 2016. Prices start from £389 return. Passengers with Icelandair get 2 pieces of checked luggage as standard and they allow passengers to take an Icelandair Stopover for up to seven nights for no additional airfare so why not break up your long haul journey and have two holidays in one. FLY WITH ICELANDAIR VIA REYKJAVIK TO TORONTO WWW.ICELANDAIR.CO.UK

INTERNATIONAL: > AMSTERDAM with KLM > BERGEN with Eastern Airways, SAS & Widerøe > BOURGAS with Balkan Holidays > COPENHAGEN with SAS > CORFU with Thomson & First Choice > DALAMAN with Thomas Cook, Thomson & First Choice > DUBLIN with Aer Lingus > ESBJERG with bmi regional > FARO with Thomson & First Choice > FRANKFURT with Lufthansa

> GDANSK with Wizz Air > GENEVA with easyJet > GRAN CANARIA with Thomson & First Choice (from summer 2016) > IBIZA with Thomson & First Choice > MALAGA with Barrhead Travel > NAPLES with Newmarket Holidays > OSLO with bmi regional & SAS > PALMA with Barrhead Travel, Thomas Cook, Thomson & First Choice > PARIS with Air France

> REYKJAVIK with Icelandair (from March 2016) > REUS with Thomas Cook > STAVANGER with Eastern Airways, SAS & Widerøe > TENERIFE with Thomas Cook, Thomson & First Choice > WARSAW with Wizz Air (from May 2016) > VERONA with Newmarket Holidays

> KIRKWALL with Loganair > LEEDS BRADFORD with Eastern Airways > LONDON CITY with Flybe > LONDON GATWICK with easyJet > LONDON HEATHROW with British Airways > LONDON LUTON with easyJet > MANCHESTER with Flybe > NEWCASTLE with Eastern Airways

> NEWQUAY with Flybe (from May 2016) > NORWICH with bmi regional & Eastern Airways > SCATSTA with Eastern Airways > SOUTHAMPTON with Eastern Airways & Flybe > STORNOWAY with Eastern Airways > SUMBURGH with Loganair > WICK with Eastern Airways

First Choice firstchoice.co.uk Flybe flybe.com Icelandair icelandair.co.uk Jersey Travel jerseytravel.com KLM klm.com Loganair logainair.co.uk Lufthansa lufthansa.com Newmarket Holidays newmarketholidays.co.uk SAS flysas.com

Thomas Cook thomascook.com Thomson thomson.co.uk Widerøe wideroe.no/en Wizz Air wizzair.com

DOMESTIC: > BELFAST CITY with Flybe > BIRMINGHAM with Flybe > BRISTOL with bmi regional > CARDIFF with Eastern Airways > DURHAM TEES VALLEY with Eastern Airways > EAST MIDLANDS with Eastern Airways > HUMBERSIDE with Eastern Airways > JERSEY with Flybe

AIRLINES & TOUR OPERATORS: Aer Lingus aerlingus.com Air France airfrance.co.uk Airways Holidays airwaysholidays.com Balkan Holidays balkanholidays.co.uk Barrhead Travel barrheadtravel.co.uk bmi regional bmiregional.com British Airways ba.com Eastern Airways easternairways.com easyJet easyjet.com

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SUNNY DESTINATIONS

01. 02. 03. 04.

05. 06. 07.

SUNNY DESTINATIONS

Looking for some sunshine? Planning ahead for next summer? You’re sure to catch the sun at these idyllic holiday hotspots, flying directly from Aberdeen.

01.

BAY OF NAPLES SORRENTO, AMALFI & CAPRI If anywhere might justifiably be described as ‘holiday heaven’, this exquisite corner of Italy, a long-time favourite of Newmarket guests, is it. At the end of the long sweep of the Bay of Naples, which curves from the bustling city beneath brooding Vesuvius, the ‘Sorrentine peninsula’ juts out into blue waters. Choose between the famous town of Sorrento, or its overlooking neighbour Sant’ Agata del due Golfi, celebrated for its stunning views. In Sorrento, there’s always the bustle of life in a typically Southern Italian town to savour, while in Sant’ Agata the pace is altogether slower. Enjoy optional excursions that include spectacular Mount Vesuvius, ancient Pompeii, the enchanting Isle of Capri, historic Monte Cassino, and the breathtaking ‘Amalfi Drive’ or simply discover the colourful town life and fascinating sights of this charming region at your leisure. www.newmarketholidays.co.uk

02.

MAJORCA SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE It’s no wonder that Majorca remains ever popular with worldwide holiday-makers, quite simply, there is something for everyone here. On the shores of Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa and Cala Bona you’ll find sweeping beaches to enjoy with the family and a broad selection of restaurants, shops, cafés and bars. For those looking for something a little more chilled, head to Cala d’Or where you’ll find secluded coves, quaint cobbled streets, stylish bars and restaurants. The stylish city of Palma is where stunning architecture dominates the skyline and you’ll find plenty of charming tapas bars where you can sit back, relax and watch the world go by. Barrhead Travel charter exclusive, British Airways flights to Majorca direct from Aberdeen. With these flights, you’ll enjoy spacious, premium-style seating with plenty of legroom, a generous 25kg baggage allowance and convenient, weekend daytime flight times. www.barrheadtravel.com

03.

BULGARIA ON A BUDGET Balkan Holidays, the UK’s leading specialist operator to non-euro Bulgaria, continue to offer the rich and varied resorts of Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast, and new for Summer 2016 now offer 10 and 11 night durations as well as 7 and 14 nights. From the 8km long Sunny Beach with its buzzing seaside promenade complete with bars, restaurants, water sports, aqua-parks and fairground, to the UNESCO world heritage site of Old Nessebar boasting 3000 years of history, remains of over 40 churches and a picturesque harbour, Bulgaria’s golden Black Sea coast has something for everyone. Great value for money is what Bulgaria does best, once again named as the ‘Best Value for Money’ resort in Europe in the 2015 Post Office travel money survey. You can still buy an evening meal for around £10 and pint of beer for under £1. www.balkanholidays.co.uk

04.

REDISCOVER THE CHARMS OF JERSEY Within sight of France yet firmly British, Jersey is a unique island full of continental charm, stunning sights, golden beaches, and some of the best local food in Europe. From the world-famous Durrell Wildlife Park and the fascinating Jersey War Tunnels to the Jersey Heritage collection of museums and castles, there’s something for everyone to do. During the summer, locals and visitors flock to al fresco cafés and west coast beaches to enjoy sunsets and balmy evenings. Direct flights depart from Aberdeen Airport on Saturdays throughout the summer. Find out more and book at www.jerseytravel.com

05.

REUS - THE GOLDEN GATEWAY If you choose to fly to Reus, you arrive at the gateway to the 150 mile long line of golden beaches, known as the Costa Dorada, Spain’s ‘golden coast’. Stretching from Barcelona, down to Tarragona, there are wonderful resorts like Cambrils and Salou, where the shallow bathing waters ensure perfect safety for families with young children. The resorts along the Costa Dorada

are noted for informality and friendliness as well as great beaches, sunshine and watersports. Just an hour from Reus is Barcelona, arguably one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, where architecture by Gaudi, shopping on Las Ramblas and a host of exciting cultural activities are always on offer. www.thomascook.com

06.

ADVENTURES IN THE ALGARVE If you’re looking for the ultimate family holiday, this southern strip of Portugal gets the thumbs up from First Choice. Kids will love the line-up of waterparks, zoos, and marine life centres. You’ll find plenty of family-friendly restaurants too, from al fresco cafes to traditional tavernas. Plus, there’s a whole host of award-winning beaches to pick from. If it’s choice you’re looking for, Holiday Village Algarve ticks all the boxes. This place has three pools, two restaurants and its very own splash park. An endless list of activities means kids can try anything from high ropes to archery to raft-building. To top it all off, Holiday Village Algarve is all-inclusive. So you can pile your plate high and refill your glass as much as you like, without paying a penny more. All Holiday Village resorts are exclusive to First Choice. Find your escape today on www.firstchoice.co.uk

07.

NEWQUAY CORNISH DELIGHTS Located in Cornwall in the deep south-west of England, this picturesque coastal village is bordered by 7 miles of sandy beaches, blue sea and captivating clifftop coastline. Perfect for surfers, but also ideal for a spot of fishing, diving, kayaking or sandcastle-building. Newquay is great for families, with lots of great places to eat, relax or be entertained; while hipsters and dudes will find festivals, nightclubs and activity centres galore. The South West Coastal Path provides endless options for walkers, and foodies are spoilt for choice with the freshest seafood, Cornish cream teas and barbeques on the beach. www.flybe.com

Cafés in Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire is one of the largest regions in Scotland, so sometimes you have make an effort to find the perfect scone… Formartine’s This welcoming farm shop and café is impressive in every way. From the locally sourced and lovingly home-cooked menu, to the friendly staff and shop stocked with products from 70 Scottish producers, Formartine’s has its ‘shop local, eat local’ credentials to the fore. The menu is a clear departure from the norm, with the likes of saddle of rabbit in serrano ham and eggy bread with bacon and maple syrup to whet the appetite. No need to book and if the weather is good, take a glass of wine and a deli-board outside onto the deck. Outside there is an imaginative wooden playground, and walks around Keithfield Lake if you want to work up an appetite. They also have their own smokehouse from which many of the items on the menu and products in the shop originate. Open 9.30am - 5.30pm daily www.formartines.com

The Laird’s Kitchen at Delgatie Castle This delightful café is nestled inside a proper castle, run by a small charitable trust and staffed by volunteers. Headed up by stalwart Joan Johnson, the café, shop and castle are run with love and determination, and the home baking is legendary. The menu includes homemade soups, one of which is always Cullen Skink and a very popular pancake stack with apples and toffee sauce. The castle is definitely worth a visit (although you can just visit the café), and there are woodland walks and a fishery in the grounds. For an unusual gift, why not take over the café for one of their bespoke afternoon teas, and if you don’t want to leave, there are self-catering apartments! Open 10am - 5pm daily www.delgatiecastle.com

REVIEW

Gadie's at Touched by Scotland

Finzean Farm Shop and Café Tucked away in the heart of Deeside, in the tiny village of Finzean, this farm shop and café has a reputation that precedes it. Step into the converted steading and you will find yourself in the farm shop and two-storey restaurant, which also showcases art by talented artists and makers in the area. The shop is a mecca for those seeking local products, with foodie gifts and lots of cookery books, plus home reared beef and wild venison from the estate. Make sure your seat faces the window as views of the Feugh Valley and Clachnaben are delightful, as are the breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea menus. There is always a quiche of the day, meat and fish taster plates and a Ploughman’s Pickle platter with local cheese and homemade bread. Finzean Farm Shop also offers a take-away catering service, providing picnics which you could eat on nearby Tom’s Cairn. Hampers can be ordered, if you can choose between healthy, seasonal and indulgent! Open 9am - 5pm daily (except Sunday 11am - 5pm) www.finzean.com

On the B9002, just outside Oyne, there is a building with a big blue roof. Inside is Gadie’s Restaurant and the Touched By Scotland Gallery. The restaurant and adjoining gallery, the largest of its kind in Scotland, were originally created to give Aberdeenshire crafters a central exhibiting space, and have grown into a popular visitor destination. The restaurant menu reflects the ethos of the gallery and offers American-style cuisine created with fresh, local ingredients. There are brunch, lunch, supper and dessert menus, featuring delights such as New England seafood chowder and chocolate brownie sundae, with plenty for kids too. Gadie’s is also host to a folk music evening on the first two Thursdays of the month. Open 10am - 6pm Sunday & Monday; 10am - 8pm Wednesday to Saturday CLOSED Tuesday www.touchedbyscotland.com

Castleton Farm Shop and Café REVIEWED BY BITA KAKABEEKE, SUPPORT VOLUNTEER FOR CLAN. Castleton Farm Shop and Café - located 25 miles South of Aberdeen just off the A90 near Fourdon - is the ideal place when you are on your travels to stop for breakfast, a cup of coffee with a piece of mouthwatering cake or a nice lunch. Castleton is situated on an elevated spot and when seated in the café one has a beautiful view over the rolling countryside of the Mearns. The decor of the café is light and airy with windows all around. I decided to order the fishy plate and my husband decided on a ploughman’s lunch, both from their specials menu. My attractively presented fishy plate came with a very tasty, well filled Cullen Skink, smoked salmon, a refreshing salad and oatcakes. The ploughman’s lunch looked great with four different types of cheese and a few slices of roast beef accompanied by coleslaw, green salad and crusty bread. All ingredients looked fresh and tasted delicious. The friendly waitress told us that most of their product are sourced locally. Castleton’s motto is “local food taste miles better”.

Big Moon Coffee House Rising from the sandbags of the devastating floods in 2012, Big Moon Coffee House is on the ground floor of a Stonehaven bed and breakfast premises. Now a thriving café, Big Moon is popular with locals and visitors, and offers stunning views over the beach and seafront. There is an emphasis on good coffee, great cakes and a light nourishing lunch menu, with many items suitable for vegans and those who are gluten intolerant, including all the cakes. There is always a scone of the day (recently starring blueberry & dark chocolate) and the Big Moon has its own bespoke coffee blend along with guest beans. There is seating outside for stunning sunny days and the option to takeaway. Open 10am - 4.30pm Wednesday to Sunday Big Moon Coffee House

After lunch we wandered through the farm shop where they sell locally sourced products as well as their fresh vegetables, their own fruit and a wide range of homemade chutneys and jam. All in all Castleton Farm Shop and Café is a lovely place to stop for great food or some last minute shopping. Open 9am - 5pm daily (except Sunday, 10am - 5pm) www.castletonfarmshop.co.uk

LONGHAUL AIRLINE FOCUS

ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

If you believe in old Irish legends, St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men, once every four years on 29 February. Actually, whoever is doing the proposing, the Spring of a leap year is a pretty romantic time to be thinking about it, so we’ve come up with a selection of romantic locations to pop the question... TRADITIONAL LOVERS

ART LOVERS

Paris has been the quintessential city of love for decades, and now that love locks are so last season, it’s time to remember why. Scale the Eiffel Tower to the Champagne Bar at the top, after dark is magical with thousands of gold lights twinkling on the hour. Visit the wall of ‘I Love You’ in Montmartre, an artwork that says ‘Je t’aime’ in 250 languages. Book yourselves on a treasure hunt in the fabulous Louvre or Musée d’Orsay and take selfies beside the art of romance.

Florence is a magnificent Renaissance city, known for its evocative and priceless art, stunning architecture and world-class museums and galleries. It is also a very walkable city, so stroll hand in hand down the corridors of the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries, or take a tour along the Vasari Corridor and then relax in the Boboli Gardens. Sip an aperitivo in a piazza or book a table on a rooftop terrace, then walk along the Arno river with a gelato.

Stroll along the old tow paths beside Canal St. Martin, then dine beneath the stars on a tiny cobbled street à la Lady and the Tramp. Or for the perfect alternative evening, grab a bottle of rosé and order a gorgonzola, figs and cured ham pizza from Pink Flamingo. They give you a pink helium balloon, which the delivery guy then uses to find you. There are many luxurious and quirky hotel options including: La Bellechase, flamboyantly designed by Christian Lacroix in decadent 19th century Parisien style; Mama Shelter, an ultra-modern super-trendy budget hotel with an iMac and microwave in every room; or the mysterious black Hôtel Amour, full of original artwork and minus televisions…

ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

UFFIZI GALLERIES, FLORENCE, ITALY

Woman, The Graduate, Grease and The Artist, L.A oozes glamour and stardust. Many films premiere here and downtown is full of beautiful old movie palaces; the Arclight Cinerama Dome is a piece of movie theatre history with reserved seats, ushers and a gourmet snack bar. Take a selfie on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or join a studio tour - there are even Oscar events open to the public in February. For a retro treat, go to L.Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last remaining drive-in movie theatre, the Electric Dusk Drive-in.

The surrounding countryside of Tuscany also beckons, draped in vineyards and lavender fields. Treat yourself to a tasting day at a winery, and book a stay in a 15th century monastery. Pack a picnic basket with delicious Italian delicacies and a bottle of local Chianti - the rest is up to you!

FILM LOVERS If your idea of romance is star-studded, then Los Angeles is the city for you. Serving as the backdrop for such romantic classics as Pretty

Hire a convertible and drive along the Pacific Coast Highway with the top down. Take a seat on the solar-powered Ferris wheel atop the Santa Monica pier and watch the sunset, or, if your idea of a starry evening is a celestial one, climb Mount Hollywood and see the constellations in a free telescope viewing from the Griffith Observatory.

NATURE LOVERS Famous as a romantic paradise, Mauritius is a lush and exotic island nation in the Pacific Ocean. The coastline has 150km of white sandy beaches ringed by coral reefs, creating beautiful turquoise lagoons with calm, clear waters, perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

Coastal walks will take in colourful flora and fauna alongside tropical greenery, and just imagine a romantic horseback ride along a deserted beach. All beaches on

a snorkelling trail frequented by a kaleidoscope of brightly coloured fish, rays, turtles, seashells and coral. If dry land is more your thing, hike to the top of Pic du Paradis for a

the island are free to the public, but there are so many, you are sure to find one to yourselves for a midnight swim.

panoramic view of the whole of St. Maarten and the surrounding islands.

EXTREME LOVERS How about an eco-getaway in the green hills of southern Mauritius, where you can either relax in the tranquil garden setting, experience adventure on a guided walk or river trek through the reserve. Visit Ile d’Ambre - the island in the lagoon, where you can hire a kayak for two and spot butterflies; or if you really feel like pushing the boat out, book a catamaran cruise and watch the sunset with a rum cocktail in hand.

ACTIVITY LOVERS St. Maarten is a Caribbean island (also called the Friendly Island) where the French and Dutch have lived harmoniously for hundreds of years, which bodes well for couples visiting the idyllic island. The French side has a continental feel with fashionable shopping, while the Dutch side is lively and known for its buzzing nightlife, however the activities made possible by 37 beaches and great weather are the key for lovers visiting this paradise. There are many diving sites listed on the island, offering the chance to scuba dive for both beginners and experienced divers. With visibility up to 100 feet, you will have the chance to explore an underwater fairyland together. For the less adventurous, there is

Dubai is not known for doing things by halves, and if you’re that kind of romantic, this is the place for you. Zip up to At the Top observation deck on the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa, and marvel at the vista through high-powered telescopes that not only show you today’s view, but also the view at night and 35 years ago. Set aside at least a day for one of Dubai’s five monster shopping malls - visit the Gold Souk in Deira, or perhaps Harrods in the 1200 store Dubai Mall. Book a desert safari for camel rides, dune buggies and a night round the fire under an unbelievably starry sky. Get up early and into a hot air balloon for heart-stopping views of the sunrise over the sand dunes, or squeal your way down the 33 metre high slide in the Wild Wadi Water Park for an adrenaline-fuelled morning. Calm down with afternoon tea in the Burj al Arab, then finish the day with a horseback gallop along the beach in the sunset. Air France have daily flights from Aberdeen to Paris, and from Paris you can fly on with Air France to many romantic destinations, including those mentioned here. www.airfrance.co.uk

COMPETITION

CELEBRATE LOVE & WIN WITH AIR FRANCE!

TOKYO, JAPAN

PARIS, FRANCE

Air France offers up to three daily flights to its hub in Paris, less than 3 hours from Aberdeen. From there you can discover the City of Lights and its monuments, or fly further afield to numerous destinations across the world.

Relax on a white sandy beach in Saint Maarten or Mauritius, go shopping in vibrant New York, discover the dazzling glamour of Dubai, or simply fly to Tokyo and be amazed by the magical cherry blossoms of the Japanese Spring.

This year, Air France would like to treat you to a romantic journey in style and is giving away two tickets to any of the fascinating destinations in its extensive worldwide network.

Bonne chance!

HOW TO ENTER:

For your chance to win two return Economy tickets with Air France via Paris, and experience the art of travel "à la française", simply visit

www.aiairport.com/competition *Terms & Conditions apply. See online for details.

*A380 available on selected routes

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JO CAULFIELD LIVE plus guests Blue Lamp, Aberdeen YOUR WEDDING EXHIBITION AECC, Aberdeen ABERDEEN CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERTS: THE AUREA STRING QUARTET Queen’s Cross Church, Albyn Place

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SUBSEA EXPO 2016 AECC, Aberdeen CIRCUS OF HORRORS:THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE Music Hall, Aberdeen CHINESE NEW YEAR IN PARIS Various venues* SPECTRA: ABERDEEN’S FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Various venues BANCHORY BEER FESTIVAL: Beer @ the Barn 2016, Aberdeenshire MEET THE LEADER - RUTH DAVIDSON MP AGCC, Aberdeen Energy Park NORTHERN ARC SESSIONS: Duncan Chisholm with Lindsay Lou & the Flatbellys Music Hall, Aberdeen THE KING IS BACK Music Hall, Aberdeen LEGALLY BLONDE His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen NIGHT AT THE CIRCUS Befriend a Child’s fundraising ball, Ardoe House Hotel, Aberdeen

SCOTTISH BALLET: CINDERELLA His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen DRIVEN TO SUCCEED with Nicolas Hamilton, The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen CEILIDH WITH DANSE MACABRE, Music Hall, Aberdeen BURNS CEILIDH & SUPPER Woodend Barn, Banchory CABARET Aberdeen Arts Centre

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LOST VOICE GUY Blue Lamp, Aberdeen BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: ‘PASTORAL’ SYMPHONY Music Hall, Aberdeen WET WET WET AECC, Aberdeen DYLAN MORAN - OFF THE HOOK Music Hall, Aberdeen

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ST. PATRICK’S FESTIVAL, Various venues, Dublin* TOPSIDES UK CONFERENCE AECC, Aberdeen ABERDEEN JAZZ FESTIVAL Various venues DUBAI INTERNATIONAL KITE FEST 2016 Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, UAE* SPRING DIPPEMESS Traditional Fair, Ratsweg Fairground, Frankfurt* INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL Rockefeller Music Hall, Oslo* TOKYO CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL Various venues*

NEWTON FAULKNER Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen GREGORY PORTER His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen MISTER MAKER FROM CBEEBIES His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen JOHN MCCUSKER BAND: 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Woodend Barn, Banchory MICHTY MIA! Aberdeen Student Charities Show, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen PILLOWMAN Aberdeen Arts Centre NOEL GALLACHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS AECC, Aberdeen SCOTTISH BALLET: SWAN LAKE His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen FOSSAVATN SKI MARATHON Cross country competition, West Iceland*

LOCAL TRIPS

ight at the heart of the Scottish Highlands lies the biggest national park in the UK, the Cairngorms National Park. The breathtaking scenery comprises challenging mountains, picturesque lochs and impressive forests, all of which are magically transformed with arrival of snow. The three snow centres in the Cairngorms offer the best pistes in the UK. Get a lift on a tiger and take a trip on a magic carpet - is not the way you would expect an article on the delights of the Scottish snowsports scene to begin. To explain, the famous 53 year-old Cairnwell lift at Glenshee is fondly referred to as the Tiger, and the Lecht Ski Centre has a travellator called the Magic Carpet, which can transport even the greenest novice up the slopes. THE LECHT Lecht 2090 opened in 1977, and is situated amid the beautiful Eastern Cairngorms, in the heart of Scotland’s largest National Park at the top of the pass between Tomintoul and Strathdon. It is an ideal place for the family and for beginners, as the nursery slopes are immediately accessible from the car park. The centre caters for all levels, from a complete novice with no equipment and no advance booking, to the experienced skier or snowboarder, with separate dedicated handling areas. The Lecht has 10 runs, varying from beginner blues to advanced blacks, and 12 different lifts including

a chairlift and the Magic Carpet, which can uplift 10,000 people in an hour. GLENSHEE Glenshee (which is Gaelic for Glen of the Fairies) is located on the A93 at Braemar and is easily accessed from Aberdeen. Skiing began at Glenshee in the 30s when the craze for skiing caught on in Europe, and some hardy enthusiasts came home to practice their new sport. Returning after the war, they built simple rope tows driven off the rear wheels of tractors, and then in 1957 the Dundee Ski Club built the first T-bar tow on Meall Odhar. The legendary ‘Tiger’ Cairnwell chairlift was built in 1962 and along with a small café, opened officially to the public. Today Glenshee is the largest ski centre in the UK, with 21 lifts and tows covering four mountains and three valleys on the Invercauld Estate. The summit is 1068m high and a vertical descent of 457m is possible, with the

LOCAL TRIPS

OTHER WAYS TO ENJOY THE PARK Cross country skiing, telemark skiing, ski touring and mountaineering are also all available from specialist operators within the Park. Cross country or Nordic skiing is popular with families and can be found at Loch Morlich, Inshriach, in the Glenmore Forest and on the Glenlivet Estate. Ski-touring is a way of climbing the hills using special skins on your skis and flexible bindings, enabling participants to access untouched parts of the hills without the need for lifts or tows. Guided winter walking in the hills with Mountain Leader-qualified instructors will teach you how to use ice axes, crampons and assess snow pack conditions, or in other words avalanche risk! The Cairngorms National Park is a draw for wildlife watching and photography, with species such as the osprey, red squirrel, pine marten and golden eagle, as well as red and roe deer, snow bunting and ptarmigan, all residents of this stunning landscape.

longest run of 2km situated on Glas Maol. There are 36 runs in total, ranging from green to black, and swathes of freestyle terrain for adventurous snowboarders. There is also a manmade terrain park to practice tricks and jumps. The ski centre was host to the first British Snowboard Championships and can uplift more than 15,400 people an hour. Facilities to match include three cafés, plus a shop and ski hire centre.

The terrain, both on and off-piste can be as good as any European ski resort, and the freestyle park is top of the list for Scotland’s snowboarders to practice tricks. There are 30km of runs and 12 lifts including the funicular, which continues to run in wind speeds up to 75mph. The lift is suitable for those with limited mobility, and will take both skiers to the top and diners to the Ptarmigan Restaurant, which has panoramic views at 1066m and the highest post box in the UK. This year in March, Cairngorm is host to Scotland’s first resort-based snowsports festival.

CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN Star of BBC1's ‘The Mountain’, the Cairngorm ski resort is the best known snowsports venue in the National Park, and home to Scotland’s only funicular railway. It is the highest of the resorts and tends to hold snow well, particularly as many of the runs are north-facing. Cairn Gorm means Blue or Green Hill, and the ski centre began in 1960, linking with the nearby town of Aviemore to create a resort.

They say ‘if you can ski in Scotland, then you can ski anywhere’, and this may well be one of the main attractions, as the unpredictable weather means you are never quite sure if you will be experiencing fresh snow and glorious scenery, or zero visibility and a trip back to the car park! On the upside, it is very common to have several types of weather during the same day, so always worth the gamble.

All the centres are accessible from Aberdeen and have live webcam feeds on their websites, with information on runs and whether lifts are open, as well as snow status. Opening hours are dependent on snow, they aim to open as soon as the snow cover is sufficient, usually in December, and hope to remain open until after the Easter holidays. Snow making machines are used, but because they are producing actual snow, the temperature has to be at least -3˚C or colder. Bear in mind that wind doesn’t necessarily stop play, as many of the tows can run in windy conditions. So whether you are thinking about introducing the family to snowsports, fancy taking up a new hobby or brushing up your skills before venturing further afield, why not try out the Cairngorms National Park? And if you fancy testing out those skills a little further afield, you can fly to Geneva direct from Aberdeen with easyJet in a mere two and half hours, which then places you within easy reach of resorts such as Chamonix, Morzine, St. Anton, Villars and Courmayer.

www.lecht.co.uk www.ski-glenshee.co.uk www.mcdougallmountaineering.co.uk www.cairngorms.co.uk www.cairngormmountain.org www.easyjet.com

LOCAL HERO

Ben started his love of snow sports as many Banchorians do, taking a sledge down to the third hole at Banchory golf course as a young lad. One day he saw someone snowboarding and the rest is history!

LOCAL HERO

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED SNOWBOARDING? I pestered my mum for a snowboarding lesson, and had my first one aged 9 at the Glenshee Ski Centre. The Lecht is a great place for beginners as the slopes are gentle and the runs are short. Glenshee is great as well, more at intermediate level as it is a lot bigger, and has the most terrain of any ski centre in Scotland. I especially like going up over the corrie. HOW HARD IS IT TO MAKE SNOWBOARDING INTO A CAREER? I have had tremendous emotional and financial support from my parents, who ran local fundraisers to help pay for training, competition entry and equipment to get me to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics ; and my guidance teacher Neil Ritchie at Banchory Academy was extremely supportive of an unconventional career choice – in fact I was at school with Andrew Considine (Aberdeen Football Club) and Peter Cashmore (founder of Mashable), so there were a few of us heading away from mainstream careers at the time. I was finally sponsored after the Vancouver games. WHAT STAGE ARE YOU AT NOW? In the first year after an Olympics, we tend to use the time for training and development, so I am heading out to Colorado on 2 December to train with Team GB. We base ourselves in Frisco which is a town 3,100m up into the Rockies, giving us access to lots of resorts including Copper Mountain, Vail, Keystone, Breckenridge, A-Basin and Aspen to name a few! Apart from a brief gap at Christmas, we train there until February, then go to Europe until April. The World Cup qualifiers start in New Zealand in summer 2016, and that’s when we start to try and gather enough qualifying points for the next Winter Olympics in Peyonchang, South Korea. HOW LONG HAS SNOWBOARDING BEEN AN OLYMPIC SPORT? It was first included in Nagano, Japan in 1998. IT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT LIFE, ARE THERE ANY DRAWBACKS? On New Year’s Day last year I fell, breaking my pelvis and rupturing

a hamstring. I flew home to four months of doctor’s appointments and physiotherapy, followed by gym sessions to regain my fitness and mobility. All better now, thank goodness, but it does make you listen to your body more and I have started to plan for the future beyond snowboarding. Also, especially when I was younger and relying on money raised by my local community and my parents, the pressure to qualify is substantial. The other thing that can hold things up is the cold! Full face masks are compulsory in temperatures which can drop to -35˚C, and average around -12˚C. To guard against windchill and possible frostbite we have to have regular stops for hot drinks. One of the ways to test whether it’s too cold to go out is to throw a cup of water in the air: if it freezes and falls to the ground it’s cold, if it evaporates into mist it’s extremely cold! WHERE DO YOU FLY FROM? I have always flown either direct or on to other destinations from Aberdeen for training and competitions. Ben first started competing aged ten, finishing first in the 2001 British Championships with he was just 13, after winning the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Rider Cup series. He classes himself as a halfpipe specialist, although he also competes in the slopestyle and big air disciplines, and finished a respectable 18th at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, just weeks after a podium place in the Canada World Cup. Ben also competed at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, finishing 16th in the qualification rounds of the men’s halfpipe. www.teamgb.com/athletes/ben-kilner

LONGHAUL AIRLINE FOCUS

WORDS WORTH READING

Three North-east airport users recommend some riveting in-flight reading from WHSmith’s latest list of top 20 bestsellers. After Hitler: The Last Days of the Second World War in Europe by Michael Jones On 30 April 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. The following day, his propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels also killed himself and the crumbling Third Reich passed to Admiral Karl Dönitz. The Nazis’ position seemed hopeless. Yet, remarkably, the war in the rest of Europe went on for another ten days.

War. Visiting key landmarks, as well as a tour of an underground air raid bunker, I realised just how much of this deadly conflict I did not know about. I plan to read this book next which gives an account of the days following the death of Hitler, and the terrible humanitarian catastrophe that continued in this brief period that shaped the post-war world.

I visited Berlin for the first time recently, and returned with an appetite for more details of the Second World

JANE MONTGOMERIE, SAS Key Account Manager

Inferno by Dan Brown Inferno is the fourth in the Robert Langdon series by Dan Brown, and uses Dante’s 14th century poem ‘The Divine Comedy’ for inspiration. Set in Florence, Venice and the Middle East, the thriller takes the professor of symbology on another apocalyptic race against time. Having started reading Dan Brown’s books when I was in secondary school, I was keen to read ‘Inferno’ to see if I would still find his writing as enjoyable as I once had. It also represented the first book I bought in digital

format. While I am well aware that books in Robert Langdon series are often beyond absurd and the story telling is often simplistic and sometimes awkward, I find these books are almost impossible to put down. The fast paced nature of the story along with the use of historical paintings and texts in progressing the story, make for an incredibly engrossing read if you can get past the fact that it is mostly fanciful, although well researched. STUART DONALDSON, MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine

I Am Malala: The girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb The next book on my list is the incredible true story of the Pakistani schoolgirl who spoke out against the Taliban and was shot for her defiance. At the age of 11 Malala agreed to write an anonymous blog for the BBC about living life in an area where the Taliban’s influence was growing. She did this through handwritten notes passed to a journalist. Her blog recorded the growing violence and the closure of all girls’ schools. Because she spoke out against them, she became a target for the Taliban. Thankfully and miraculously she survived the attack and has become a symbol of peace and one of

the greatest campaigners for women and children rights in the world. Reviewers describe the book as uplifting and courageous, powerful and inspirational, and I look forward to reading a true story of hope this new year.

ROULÈ WOOD, Membership Network Manager, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

BEAT GOES ON

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01 | GREGORY WOLVERSON, Taj Mahal, India 02 | CRAIG BROWN, Near El Borma, Sahara Desert 03 | JEANE & TIFFANY JILLIAN DELA CRUZ , Amsterdam 04 | SHAZ COWLING, Abu Dhabi 05 | ELEANOR MCDONALD, Isles of Capri, Florida 06 | HEATHER MORRISON, Matterhorn, Zermatt 07 | AILSA FINNIE, Cuba 08 | JUDITH JORDAN, Sant Sadurni, Spain 09 | ANGELA BURRELL, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA 10 | YVONNE MASSIE, Hobbiton Movie Set, New Zealand 11 | FIONA BETTERIDGE, London 12 | HOWARD YOUNG, Rovos Rail, Pretoria, South Africa 13 | MARTIN FORREST, Isla do Sal, Cape Verde Islands See how far and wide you can take your copy of upBEAT - go on, be creative! Send your photo to ABZupbeat@ aiairport.com Please submit high

resolution images, at least 1MB in size at 300dpi print resolution. See the winning picture in the Spring/Summer 2016 upBEAT - it could be yours! (Deadline: 18th March 2016)

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01 | CHILDREN IN NEED The airport got involved with Children in Need, with Pudsey bear making a visit to help raise money for the charity. 02, 04, 06 & 07 | LAPLAND FLIGHT In December, the airport welcomed a very special flight for one day only, taking passengers to visit Santa in the winter wonderland of Lapland for the day!

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03 | AIA SAFETEA BUS The Aberdeen International safeTEA bus continued its tour of the campus to support the relaunch of the ‘Keeping Health & Safety Alive’ campaign to drive home the message of safety across the airport. 05 | GUIDEDOGS FOR THE BLIND We had Guide Dogs for the Blind in the terminal for 2 days, raising money for the charity. They even brought along one of their four legged friends! 08 | GLACK ATTACK In October, a team of 20 from the Fire Training Group took part in Glack Attack, a 5km obstacle mud run held on Glack Hill in Aberdeenshire to raise a total of £4280.85 for Friends of Anchor.

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LONGHAUL AIRLINE FOCUS