Welcome to your annual reminder that Aberdeen is, actually, a grand place to be.

And, as always, this thumbs up for the Granite City comes from people who for the most part have never set eyes on the place before – our always welcome influx of cruise ship visitors.

The first arrivals of the new cruise season last week made some eye-opening comments when asked their thoughts about Aberdeen. That included the couple who live close to the famed Florida theme parks but said our own Codonas could give the likes of Disneyland a rollercoaster run for their money.

Our American and Canadian guests, who arrived on the Viking Neptune, waxed lyrical about our granite, our Wallace Statue, Old Aberdeen and most everything they clapped eyes on.

Well, apart........

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