What is Footdee, or Fittie?

An old fishing village by the harbor

Aberdeen Quiz: The Granite City and Marischal College

This Aberdeen quiz explores the sparkling stone city on Scotland's northeast coast. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on why granite glitters, Marischal College's huge facade, Rubislaw Quarry, the oil boom since the 1970s, the fishing village of Footdee, Union Street, the University of Aberdeen founded in 1495 and Aberdeen Angus cattle.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Nickname
What is Aberdeen's nickname?
Sparkle
Why does Aberdeen's granite sparkle?
College
Which building has one of the largest granite facades in the world?
Quarry
Which deep quarry supplied much of the city's stone?
Oil
Which industry boomed in Aberdeen from the 1970s?
Fittie
What is Footdee, or Fittie?
Street
Which is the city's main street?
University
When was the University of Aberdeen founded?
Cattle
Which beef breed is named after the area?
Sea
Which sea does Aberdeen face?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What is Aberdeen's nickname?
Answer: The Granite City
Its buildings are mostly granite.
Q2: Why does Aberdeen's granite sparkle?
Answer: It contains mica
Flecks catch the sunlight.
Q3: Which building has one of the largest granite facades in the world?
Answer: Marischal College
It is now council offices.
Q4: Which deep quarry supplied much of the city's stone?
Answer: Rubislaw Quarry
It is about 140 meters deep.
Q5: Which industry boomed in Aberdeen from the 1970s?
Answer: North Sea oil
It is called the oil capital of Europe.
Q6: What is Footdee, or Fittie?
Answer: An old fishing village by the harbor
Its cottages face inward.
Q7: Which is the city's main street?
Answer: Union Street
It runs about a mile.
Q8: When was the University of Aberdeen founded?
Answer: 1495
King's College dates from then.
Q9: Which beef breed is named after the area?
Answer: Aberdeen Angus
It is black and hornless.
Q10: Which sea does Aberdeen face?
Answer: North Sea
Dolphins swim near the harbor.

Silver Stone and North Sea Wealth

Aberdeen on Scotland's northeast coast is called the Granite City because so many of its buildings are made of local grey granite. Flecks of mica make the stone sparkle in sunlight. Much of it came from Rubislaw Quarry, a huge pit about 140 meters deep.

Marischal College has one of the largest granite facades in the world. The University of Aberdeen dates back to 1495, when King's College was founded. Union Street, about a mile long, is the main thoroughfare, and the old fishing village of Footdee, or Fittie, has cottages arranged in squares facing inward.

Since the 1970s, Aberdeen has been a center of the North Sea oil industry, earning the name oil capital of Europe. The surrounding region gave its name to Aberdeen Angus cattle, a black, hornless beef breed. Dolphins can often be seen near the harbor entrance.

What This Quiz Teaches

Scotland fans will enjoy these questions.

Why it is the Granite City
Which buildings stand out
Which industries shaped it
Which old districts survive
What else it is known for

Did You Know?

Aberdeen's beach is a long sandy stretch.
The city hosts the Nuart street art festival.
Duthie Park has a large winter garden.
Ferries sail from Aberdeen to Orkney and Shetland.
Granite was also exported for buildings worldwide.