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Allenvale Cemetery from Kincorth
60 An early photograph of Allenvale Cemetery, taking shape in the middle distance, as seen from Kincorth, with Abbotswell Farm in the foreground.
A limited company called the Aberdeen Cemetery Company was established for the purpose of creating this new graveyard. A prospectus inviting public investment was published in the Aberdeen Journal of 29th January 1873. It reads as follows:
"It is well known that in Aberdeen cemetery accommodation is limited and insufficient, and it is generally admitted that its extension is necessary, and cannot much longer be delayed. It is therefore desirable to acquire additional space for that purpose, and to treat it in accordance with modern ideas and practice.
"This company has been formed for the purpose of providing an extensive Cemetery, in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, suitable in all respects for the purposes of internment, and of easy access - but sufficiently removed from town to preserve its suburban character."
The new cemetery opened in late 1874 and, as we know, was a big hit. It was officially known as the Aberdeen Cemetery but quickly became known as Allenvale Cemetery, after the property on which it was built.
Allenvale saw major extensions in 1912 and 1932. A London syndicate purchased control of the graveyard from the Aberdeen Cemetery Company in 1958. Aberdeen Town Council subsequently took control of the cemetery in 1965 following the then owners going into liquidation and worries about Allenvale's future. Allenvale remains a fine example of a planned Victorian cemetery to this day.
Notable residents of Allenvale include John James Rickard MacLeod (1876-1935), co-discoverer of insulin, James Scott Skinner (1843-1927), fiddler and composer, and Mary Esslemont (1891-1984), the influential doctor. Though, of course, many interned at Allenvale would have their own interesting stories to tell.
In this photograph, Duthie Park, later created on the right, has yet to be landscaped. St. Machar Poorhouse, Fonthill House and Devanha House can all be seen in the distance. New Quay
350 New Quay, Aberdeen Harbour. This photograph shows the navigation channel leading from Aberdeen Harbour into the North Sea, with the North Pier in the far distance on the left. The New Quay later became part of Pocra Quay.
The Pier was built by John Smeaton in 1781 and extended on several occasions to provide better access to the harbour. At the corner of the photograph is the customs Watch House, part of which has now been converted into a seafood restaurant.
The brick obilisk in the centre is a ventilation shaft for a sewer which emptied into the channel. A newer sewer outfall has rendered it redundant.
It is popularly known as Scarty's Monument. 'Scarty' was the nickname of William Smith, one of two harbour pilots in the mid-19th century. His duty was to keep watch from the North Pier during rough weather.
Nicknames were often used in the fishing community to distinguish between people of the same surname. 13 Skene Square
792 A photograph showing 13 Skene Square in the late 19th century. This tenement is thought to be the birthplace of the genre and portrait painter John Phillip (1817-1867).
The image is included as a plate in Historical Aberdeen: the Castle and the Castle-hill, the Snow Church, the Woolmanhill and neighbourhood, the Guestrow by G. M. Fraser (1905).
Fraser indicates that the tablet that can be seen above the door was put up in memory of John Phillip by his friend William Brodie (1815-1881), the sculptor.
Fraser elaborates as follows:
"The first plate on the house, 13 Skene Square, was placed there by William Brodie, the sculptor. that house was pulled down six years ago, but fortunately Mr George Watt, architect, the proprietor of the house erected on the spot, has, with much public spirit, placed a bronze tablet on the new house telling that Phillip's house stood on that site. I wish we could be absolutely certain that Phillip was born here. There can be no doubt that he lived here as a child, but it suggestive that in the detailed notices of Phillip in the Aberdeen papers at the time of his death, it was said that he was born in Windy Wynd, where his father was a shoemaker. See Aberdeen Journal, 6th March, 1867; Aberdeen Free Press, 1st March, 1867. The Development of Marischal Square and Broad Street (23/08/2015-20/04/2018): 25
3075 Three citizens watch developments in Broad Street. 20/03/2017. Strichen
4251 Strichen village, originally called Mormond Village, is situated on the banks of the North Ugie (or Blackwater), at the foot of Mormond Hill. The village was founded in 1764 by Lord Strichen to promote "the Arts and Manufactures of this country, and for the accommodation of Tradesmen of all denominations, Manufacturers, and other industrious people". The neighbourhood was well wooded, so much so that its trees were complimented by Dr. Johnson in his Tour through Scotland. Aberdeen Market 15 - Outfits
4391 A photograph by Roddy Millar of the shop Outfits in the Aberdeen Market building.
This shop, established in 1995, is a family business offering women's clothing, accessories, handbags, suitcases, and a watch repair service. This image shows a wide selection of ladieswear items on display.
Since this photograph, Outfits has moved to 44 Union Street.
Photograph taken on 27/02/2019. Aberdeen Market 20 - view from foyer area
4396 This photograph by Roddy Millar looks west down the main corridor of the Aberdeen Market building.
It gives a good representation of the initial view a visitor would encounter having came in via the large Market Street entrance, located to the rear of this image.
On the left can be seen Ai to Ai, offering cosmetic treatments for eyelashes and eyebrows, Aberdeen Vinyl Records is further on, identifiable by the baskets of records, then D&S Discounts and Dream Beauty Studio at the very rear.
On the right, starting at the back and coming forward, is Outfits, Combo Café & Restaurant, Liberty Hair and the Market Heel & Key Bar in the foreground.
The Market Heel & Key Bar offer shoe repairs, watch batteries, luggage, shopper trolleys, belts, key cutting and slippers. Due to the closure of the Market, this business moved to nearby premises at 88 Union Street.
Photograph taken on 26/02/2019. Treasure 74: Kelly's Cats
276 One of this month's treasures showcases some of the most famous felines in the Silver City. Cast-iron and proud in their stance, despite their small stature, the cats silently stand watch over the citizens of Aberdeen as they sit atop the parapet of Union Bridge. These silent sentinels are known as 'Kelly's Cats', named after noted Aberdeen architect William Kelly (1861-1944).
Although some cats remain at their post on Union Bridge, others were removed in the 1960s when shops were added to one side of the bridge (where the Trinity Centre stands). Today, some of the cats can be found in Duthie Park and three were gifted to Aberdeen City Libraries where they have spent many years watching over the staff of the Central Library.
This September sees the launch of The Cat Parade in Aberdeen, a civic art project centred around our Union Bridge cats.
Up to 100 concrete replicas of 'Kelly's Cats' have been decorated by sponsoring organisations, and are being exhibited in the window of Waterstones throughout the month. At Aberdeen City Libraries, we have sponsored our very own cat - decorated by three of our talented members of staff, Meghan, Sarah, and Rhys.
The design of the cat is inspired by the history of Aberdeen Central Library ahead of its 125th Anniversary in July 2017 and is named Valentine after one of our most influential past employees, Miss Emma Valentine, who became the first female Assistant in Charge of the Reference Department between 1892 and 1915. You can view Valentine in Waterstones this month and in the Central Library from October.
Find out more about the history of the cats and the mystery surrounding their true designer in the Treasures from our Collections exhibition on the touchscreen in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 77: The Castle Spectre, 1876 - 1888
288 One of our treasures this month is a rare periodical known as The Castle Spectre. It is unusual as it was printed and published by a Victorian family from their home at 'The Castle', 6 Mackie Place, and later from 'The Galleries' on Skene Street West, and offers an insight into the lives of a middle-class family in Victorian Aberdeen. The copy on display was gifted to the library by the editor, Alexander D Forbes in 1888, and includes a handwritten letter to the City Librarian at the time.
It not only contains amateur poetry, literature, and social and religious commentary, but also sheds a light on a forgotten and mysterious dwelling place in the heart of the city. The area in question is the land behind Skene Street, encompassing Mackie Place, and the grounds of three old houses long since demolished by the Denburn - Cherry Vale, 'The Galleries', and the White House, also known as 'The Castle'.
As long as 'The Castle' at 6 Mackie Place existed (it was built towards the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century, according to various reports) it was described as being haunted. No accounts mention a specific ghost, but the eccentricities of the occupant and his young family helped to fuel the reputation for the Castle's hauntings. The first issue of The Castle Spectre (October 21, 1876) states:
"We are the dwellers in that house in the neighbourhood of Skene Street known to the "oldest inhabitants" as the Haunted House, to younger inhabitants as the Castle, and to the Post Office as No.6 Mackie Place. In former days we were "desp'rate wicked". We dressed ourselves in white sheets, and popped out upon passers by, frightening them into fits. We used to scoop out the largest turnips?and having cut out slices to represent eyes, nose, and mouth, light candles in them, and stick them on poles in hedges?We used to lie behind low walls and growl like bears, or caterwaul like cats, whenever any weakly-looking person was passing?In short, we were the terror of the neighbourhood."
View the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries to find out more about the spooky publication and mysterious Mackie Place. Treasure 116: Aberdeen Dance Festival Week 16-20 August 1948 Souvenir Brochure
339 This treasure is a souvenir brochure and programme for the first Aberdeen Dance Festival Week, held from 16 - 20 August 1948, which aimed "to make Aberdeen Scotland's mecca for good dancing". It was staged by the directors of the Palais de Danse dance hall and organised by the managing director, Mr. Ernest A. Bromberg. This delightful brochure describes competitions such as the Novice 3-Dance, Pre-amateur 4-Dance and Team Dancing Championship, gives details of the panel of adjudicators, and features adverts for local dancing schools.
It also includes a personal message from Mr Bromberg who stated "Since the inception of the Palais de Dance it has been my consistent desire to do everything possible to encourage a greater incentive to improve Ballroom Dancing and to provide facilities to make dancing a popular and healthy form of recreation, exercise, and entertainment". The Palais de Dance in Diamond Street was believed to be the oldest principal ballroom in Aberdeen, dating back to the mid-1920s.
In 1965 it underwent an extensive interior reconstruction at a cost of £75,000 with a new lounge bar, rounding of the dance floor from its previous square shape, and a circular balcony to watch the dancers. It became Raffles night club in 1976.
If you have memories of dancing in Aberdeen or any booklets/brochures on the subject, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact our Local Studies department at the Central Library.
Find out more about dancing in Aberdeen and see some fantastic images in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen. Treasure 118: Aberdeen Harbour Plans
341 On display is a map of the harbour area which would have been used as part of Aberdeen's Air Raid Precautions (ARP) during World War Two. Essential locations such as telephone boxes, police stations, air raid shelters and first aid posts are all marked on the map in red circles.
In 1937 as part of the preparations for the major conflict that was about to follow the government created an Air Raid Warden's Service which would cover the whole of Britain. The City Warden Service operated in four divisions, each with a commander in charge and separate headquarters. The divisions were further divided into groups and then again divided into sectors with a number of wardens patrolling each sector. The wardens working in the nine sectors in the harbour area were controlled by the harbour commissioners. During the war, air raid wardens were required to enforce the blackout; help people into air raid shelters; issue gas masks; administer first aid; put out small fires and record bomb damage. Air raid wardens were usually local and their knowledge of the neighbourhood was vital.
Aberdeen was the most frequently bombed city in Scotland during World War Two and the harbour with its close physical links to the railways and associated industries of shipbuilding and fishing became a prime target for enemy attacks.
To see some more maps and plans documenting the history of one of Britain's oldest ports, check out our interactive exhibition on the touchscreen! Cotton Street Electricity Works
387 John S. Reid in the third chapter of his excellent book, Mechanical Aberdeen (1990) explains that there were two technological developments during the 1880s that made electricity a far more useful source of power; the evolution of dynamos, key to electricity stations, and the development of the vacuum pump, which made the electric light bulb possible.
Aberdeen Town Council soon realised the potential benefits of electricity as a public utility and 1894 saw the opening of a municipal generating station at Cotton Street. It was built on gasworks ground, cost £21,500 and was primarily the work of Alex Smith, who had served as City Gas Engineer for around 25 years. The electrification of Aberdeen saw admirable and crucial co-operation between gas and electricity departments of the Town Council.
Reid tells us that the opening ceremony for the Cotton Street station saw the activation of Aberdeen's first electric public lighting. On 28 February, 1894, a large crowd gathered in Union Street and Castle Street to watch Lady Provost Stewart throw the switch to light up 10 arc lamps. This was the first stage of a plan that would see lighting extend up the rest of Union Street and branch off down the main streets. The venture made Aberdeen only the second corporation in Scotland to introduce electric street lamps (after Glasgow) and the first to construct their own generating station. The initial capacity of Cotton Street was 300 kilowatts. Exhibition of the City Plan (Incoporating Housing, Health & Welfare) - Explanatory brochure
464 This is the front cover of an explanatory brochure that was made to accompany the public exhibition of the City Survey and Plan prepared for the Corporation of Aberdeen by W. Dobson Chapman & Partners, town planning consultants.
The exhibition, which also included exhibits by the Housing and Health & Welfare Departments, was held in the Music Hall from 6th to 27th July 1951. As indicated at the top of the cover, the exhibition was tied into the city's celebrations of the Festival of Britain that took place shortly afterwards, from 29th July to 11th August.
This brochure was produced by W. Dobson Chapman with text by Charles F. Riley. It was printed by the Aberdeen University Press. It measures 28 x 19 cm and has 36 pages.
The front cover features an aerial photograph looking up Union Street from Holburn Junction to the Castlegate. The back cover shows a section of a city model showing proposed plans for the same area. The model was created by J. B. Thorp, London.
The brochure has the following contents: Title page, Foreword by Lord Provost William D. Reid, Description of Exhibition of City Plan, Description of Exhibition of Housing, Description of Health & Welfare Exhibits and Description of Film Display.
It also features the following illustrations: Summerfield Residential Neighbourhood Unit Model Photograph, Tullos Industrial Estate Model Photograph, Colour Plate South Market Street, Colour Plate Sea Beach.
W. Dobson Chapman and Charles F. Riley published their proposals the following year as a large hardback volume entitled Granite City: A Plan for Aberdeen (1952). Copies of this volume are available to consult at Aberdeen City Libraries.
The city plan included a number of ambitious proposals that intended to be accomplished over the course of generations. Burgers Oath
474 A broadside reporting the solemn oath that the Craftsmen of the Burgh of Aberdeen were to pronounce when admitted to the Gild [Guild].
Since the burgers were to swear loyalty to Queen Anne, it can be assumed the document was created at the beginning of the 18th century, given that she Queen of Scotland from 1702 to her death in 1714.
Great importance is given to religion in this oath: only devoted Protestants - and absolutely no Catholics - were admitted in the Gild. A reference prohibiting Quakerism has been scored out.
The burgers also vowed support and allegiance to the magistrates and the Burgh and pledged themselves to act only for its profit. This, together with the commitment to pay the taxes and protect the Burgh from its enemies, is summarised with the medieval formula "Scot, Lot, Watch, Wake and Ward" in the IX article.
In a final note states that chirurgeons (surgeons), apothecaries, and barbers among others were not considered as members of the Gild but were only admitted "in sua arte", and therefore were not entitled to vote.
Aberdeen's coat of arms, or heraldic achievement, is prominently displayed at the top of the broadside. |