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Rob Roy statue number 2, Culter
960 The statue of Rob Roy at Culter - number 2, 1850-1926. A Rob Roy figure has stood on this rocky ledge high above the Leuchar Burn just before it reached Culter Paper Mills for around 150 years. It has become a tourist attraction for those travelling on the North Deeside Road at Peterculter, about 8 miles from Aberdeen. However, there is no historical evidence to support the legend that Rob Roy MacGregor left the gorge to escape his pursuers. The original figure is supposed to have been a figurehead from a Peterhead whaling ship and it was replaced in about 1865 with the carved wooden stature seen here. It apparently suffered damage before the First World War when local Territorial soldiers practised their firing skills on it. However, by 1925, the figure was in a poor state due to the effects of time and weather. A committee was appointed to secure a new stature and an Aberdeen woodcutter, David Graham, created a figure from a nine foot high block of Quebec yellow pine. It was unveiled on 3 July 1926. This figure lasted until 1991, when it had to be replaced again after being damaged by vandals. Cults Railway Station
1031 Cults Railway Station, 1920 - Cults was the first main station on the Deeside Line between Aberdeen and Ballater, at 3 and five-eighths miles from Aberdeen.
The line between Aberdeen and Banchory was opened in 1853 and extended to Aboyne and later to Ballater by 1866.
The double line, as seen here, was opened in 1884 and returned to single line in 1951.
This view, from about 1920, shows the stationmaster, Peter Walker, his staff and a number of passengers awaiting the imminent arrival of a train.
In 1894, suburban trains, "subbies", were introduced between Aberdeen and Culter, calling at 8 intermediate stations and covering the 7 miles in just over 20 minutes. This meant that up to 30 trains would be calling at Cults every day.
The "subbies" ceased on 5 April 1937 because of competition from buses. The Deeside Line closed to passenger traffic on 28 February 1966, after the Beeching Report of 1963. Goods traffic continued for a few more months but the final train ran on the line on 30 December 1966.
Cults Station was later occupied by a joinery company. The Aberdeenshire Canal
2008 This drawing shows a barge being pulled by two horses along the Aberdeenshire Canal, with the twin spires of St. Machar Cathedral in the background. The canal ran for 19 miles from Aberdeen Harbour to Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie, and was first proposed in 1795 by various landed proprietors as a means of providing better transport connections for the rural interior of Aberdeenshire. It was opened in 1805. Passenger traffic was catered for by two iron boats, which made the trip twice a day in summer and once a day in winter. It cost 2 shillings (10p.) for the full journey or 2d. (about a half pence) per mile. Because there were several locks to be negotiated at the Aberdeen end, passengers disembarked at the Boathouse at Kittybrewster, having completed the journey in 2 and a half hours. Goods traffic was handled by various barges, some of which belonged to the canal company. It took them 10-14 hours to complete their passage to Aberdeen Harbour. There were facilities for changing the horses at Dyce and Kintore. In 1840, the goods transported included nearly 4000 tons of lime, 5000 tons of coal, 1124 tons of meal, 54 tons of salt, 110 tons of wood, 51 tons of granite, 43 tons of livestock and 8 tons of whisky. The canal was purchased by the Great North of Scotland Railway Company and it closed in 1854, when the railway line was opened using part of the old canal route. There are still some remnants of the canal to be seen including milestones and the street names Canal Street and Terrace recall its existence. Treasure 35: Notes and Jottings of G.M. Fraser
2323 George Milne Fraser had a lifelong interest and expertise in local history; delivering talks (as seen in the December 2015 Treasure), publishing books and numerous letters and articles in the local press. His 'Notes and Jottings' collection comprise over 70 volumes, mostly hand written (including a form of shorthand), which are a treasure trove of information about the local area.
Within these notebooks are newspaper articles and advertisements, photographs, personal correspondence, sketches and many other interesting bits and pieces. Library staff have compiled an index to this invaluable resource and consult it on a regular basis when researching enquiries. It is quite a challenge deciphering his handwriting sometimes!
As a journalist by profession, G. M. Fraser retained his talent for writing and contributed articles to the Aberdeen Free Press, Bon Accord and Northern Pictorial, Evening Gazette, and journals such as the Deeside Field.
His contributions to local literature began in 1904 with the publication of The Green. Historical Aberdeen appeared the following year and after Aberdeen Street Names in 1911 the Town Clerk Depute wrote to Fraser with the words "We must now regard you as our Principal Historian".
The Life and Work of G. M. Fraser
G. M. Fraser was appointed city librarian in 1899 and was the second public librarian in Aberdeen. He can be seen on the far right of this image from the library archive.
His name was known all over the north east and he was mentioned in the chorus of one of Harry Gordon's popular songs, The Auldest Aiberdonian: "I ken lots o' stories G. M. Fraser disna ken". On 30 October 1923 he gave a 15 minute talk on the radio about Castlegate, becoming the first librarian in Aberdeen to make a radio broadcast.
During his term of office there were many developments in the Library service:
- The Central Library was extended in 1905 to include a new reading room
- Branch reading rooms and delivery stations were established throughout the city
- The Juvenile Library in Skene Street opened in 1911
- Open access was introduced in the Lending Library 1925 (find out more about Open Access libraries in the October treasures!)
- Fraser's strongest legacy is the Local Studies collection, which still contains many of our treasures.
G. M. Fraser was remembered very fondly after his death on 7 June 1938. There were many tributes including one from the Library Committee. Perhaps one of the warmest tributes was paid by his successor as City Librarian, Marcus Milne:
"Somehow the Library and G.M. were one. You could not think of the Library without thinking of that kindly figure who was head of it; and one could not meet him without thinking of the building he graced for so long. Mr Fraser had 2 hobbies and work was both of them. He lived for nothing else. The library was ever uppermost in his thoughts and closely allied to his love for the Library was his great love for things Aberdeen".
Mr Fraser's funeral service was attended by many prominent city officials and floral wreaths included one from Lady Aberdeen with the inscription "In affectionate and grateful remembrance of a much valued friend". He is buried in Springbank Cemetery.
In 1955, Aberdeen's first post-war permanent branch library was opened at Northfield and named the G. M. Fraser Branch Library in his honour.
In further recognition of his contribution to the development of the Library service, a commemorative plaque can be found on the front of the Central Library building. Original Guild Street Station
2616 The original Guild Street Station had two platforms to accommodate four services to the south and three to Deeside. The goods station is to the right.
In 1854 The Great North of Scotland Railway after years of struggle to raise capital opened between Kittybrewster and Huntly; from 1858 this became part of a through route to Inverness. In April 1856 it extended passenger services from Kittybrewster to Waterloo Quay using a line built on the bed of the old Aberdeenshire Canal.
Connecting the two Aberdeen termini, which were about a half mile apart, were railway tracks laid along the quayside and suitable for horse-haulage only. The main concourse of the rebuilt station looking north
2640 In the century since the new station opened has
there have been many changes. 1923 saw the
Grouping of the Railways with the GNSR and NBR
becoming part of the London and North Eastern
Railway (LNER) and the Caledonian part of the
London Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). In
1948 both were absorbed into the nationalised
British Railways.
The 1930s saw mixed fortunes; new and
improved rolling stock was introduced including
more powerful locomotives. Conversely bus
competition was decimating traffic on branch
lines including Deeside and Buchan; suburban
trains ceased in 1937. During World War 2 all
the glass was removed from the station roof
and replaced by plywood to avoid the effects of
blast and comply with blackout regulations. The
sections were carefully stored under a disused
platform at Fyvie station until the end of the
war. Diesel trains, ca 1970
2644 The British Railways Modernisation Plan of 1955 saw steam replaced by diesel trains by 1968. An experimental Battery Railcar operated on the Deeside line from 1958 to 1962. It is only in the 21st century that battery and hybrid technology is again being taken seriously. March Stone 27 ("the Ringing Stone")
3209 This stone is located adjacent to Brodiach Burn. Parallel between Brotherfield Farm and Easter Ord Croft. Access is best achieved from Brotherfield Farm. The stone is marked "27 ABD".
The 1929 Blue Book explains that the Ringing Stone, which is mentioned in all the old descriptions, was sited near this location, but has since disappeared. The book also includes a photograph of the scene, showing the nearby foot bridge.
Origins of this intriguing name are unknown. There are 2 miles, in a northward direction, to the next stone, being the longest distance between stones. The Brodiach Burn was taken to provide a sufficient marker for the line of the marches.
A slide of this image was kindly lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Colin Johnston so that we could create a digital copy for public use.
The image was taken in the early 1980s when Colin worked as a teacher at Bridge of Don Academy. He led several current and former pupils, and staff members in an investigation into the location, physical condition and public knowledge of Aberdeen's historic boundary markers. March Stone 28 (plus Propertie Stone)
3210 This stone is located adjacent to Littlemill/Brodiach Burn, on rough ground, north west of Borrowstone Farm, off the Clinterty/Blackburn Road. It is marked "28 ABD".
The line of the marches has followed the Brodiach 2 miles north from number 27. Present next to marker number 28 is an older stone marked "P" for "Propertie".
The Blue Book states:
"Stone No. 28 looks like it was placed on the wrong side of the burn, but it appears that, at one time, the burn was diverted, and the stone lettered 'P' signifies that the Town claimed the nook when the course of the burn was altered."
The book also explains that Borrowstone was owned by the Weavers' Incorporation and it was at this stone that their "Doupin'" ceremonies took place and also includes a photograph of the two stones.
A slide of this image was kindly lent to Aberdeen City Libraries by Colin Johnston so that we could create a digital copy for public use.
The image was taken in the early 1980s when Colin worked as a teacher at Bridge of Don Academy. He led several current and former pupils, and staff members in an investigation into the location, physical condition and public knowledge of Aberdeen's historic boundary markers. Ballater fountain
4225 This photograph shows the commemorative drinking well or fountain located in the centre of Ballater, across the road from the war memorial and Glenmuick Parish Parish.
The plaque on the fountain reads "Presented to Lieut. Col. Farquharson and the inhabitants of Ballater by Hugh Rose, 1884."
Hugh Ross (1807-1888) was the provost of Ballater. James Ross Farquharson of Invercauld (1834-1888) was a prominent land owner and descendant of the founders of Ballater.
The opening of the fountain took place on Wednesday 8th October 1884. An account can be read in the following day's Aberdeen Journal on page 2.
A melancholy accident unfortunately marred the day. At the end of the opening ceremony an old cannon located on Craigendarroch was fired by a Sergeant Charles McLagan of the Ballater Volunteers. Due to the cannon's age the charge burst the gun and severely injured McLagan. He was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for treatment but died the next morning.
The tree in the foreground of this image looks like a Scots pine or similar. In the background is a partial view of nos. 4 and 6 Hawthorn Place. In between two people can be seen enjoying the sun. One lying on the ground and another reclining on the bench.
This image likely dates from the 1970s or 80s. It is a part of a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's Publicity department. The opening of the line to Ferryhill in 1850
358 The Aberdeen Railway which connected the city by rail with the south for the first time had opened a station at Ferryhill just north of the River Dee in 1850, being joined there by the Deeside Railway from Banchory three years later. In 1854 the line was extended the final 600 yards to a terminus on Guild Street on a site now occupied by the Union Square Shopping Centre.
This lithograph was published in The Illustrated London News. It depicts the opening of the
line to Ferryhill in 1850. The temporary station building seems very substantial. The engine shed on the left still survives.
The Aberdeen Railway soon amalgamated with the Scottish Midland Junction Railway, which connected it with Perth, to become the Scottish North-Eastern Railway. In turn the SNER was absorbed by the Caledonian Railway in 1866. Brief Scene From A Drama
491 This satirical broadside presents the first act of a drama probably realised by a private citizen to denounce a current political issue. The first character of the drama, called "Ed.", sees no solution other than death to escape disgrace. He has not been able to prevent the "vile Duncan" from obtaining the favour of the people, despite Ed.'s numerous efforts. A High Civic Dignitary (whose name is "P--t") and his Clique, represented as rather naïve, try to ascertain whether Ed. is effectively deceased.
Unfortunately, since this document lacks a date or proper names, it is hard to understand exactly what matter it is addressing. The words "Links", "Duncan", "petition", "train" suggest that the broadside may refer to a rivalry between two competing railway companies' directors which occurred in 1856. Mr. Duncan (John Duncan), mentioned twice by the first character, had appealed to the public to obtain permission to build his railway line on the Links. He was denounced by his opponent for not having followed the legitimate procedure of lodging a Parliament Plan. More details on the question can be found in a broadside from our collection titled "Taking Lawless Possession", available here. Inhabitants' Petition
507 This broadside, entitled 'Defence of the Links. Inhabitants' Peition' was issue by J. Urquhart, of the Lemon Tree on 23rd June 1856. It refers to a dispute between two rival railway company directors, James Adam and John Duncan.
Duncan desired to create an Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh railway line, whilst Adam wanted a Formartine and Buchan line. The broadside dates to 1856, a year of fierce debates over the future of the railways. Permission was only granted for the construction of a line in 1858, and was awarded to Adam.
Duncan's line was particularly controversial for it desired to be built into the area known as the Links. Duncan had tried to begin construction before the inhabitants of the Links had discussed the issue. This caused uproar amongst the Links' inhabitants, particularly as Duncan was required to follow parliament's say on the matter before beginning construction himself. This broadside details the matter. Duncan is elsewhere denounced, here, for providing false information about the return value of his project for investors. This broadside defends the way in which attendees of a committee meeting were listed in a petition. This had been criticised by the Herald, as can be seen in this broadside. Links Encroachment
509 This broadside, entitled 'Links Encroachment' and a reprint of the 21st June 1856 edition of the Aberdeen Herald, refers to a dispute between two rival railway company directors, James Adam and John Duncan. Duncan desired to create an Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh railway line, whilst Adam wanted a Formartine and Buchan line. The broadside dates to 1856, a year of fierce debates over the future of the railways. Permission was only granted for the construction of a line in 1858, and was awarded to Adam.
Duncan's line was particularly controversial for it desired to be built into the area known as the Links. Duncan had tried to begin construction before the inhabitants of the Links had discussed the issue. This caused uproar amongst the Links' inhabitants, particularly as Duncan was required to follow parliament's say on the matter before beginning construction himself. This broadside details the matter. Duncan is elsewhere denounced, here, for providing false information about the return value of his project for investors. This broadside lists attendees of a committee in support of Duncan's construction plans. It criticises Duncan's party for enlarging the real number of attendees at the meeting. |