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Old Deeside Road
147 Local historian A.G. Duthie has been in touch to identify this image as the most easterly point of the Old Deeside Road.
The photograph is taken from the position of the modern day junction of Great Southern Road and Holburn Street. The house in the background is still visible today.
In his book The Old Deeside Road, G.M. Fraser writes, "The commencement of the old road at Hardgate is still, fortunately, to be seen, near Fonthill Road, at the group of ruinous houses connected with what was long known as Palmer's Brewery. The 'lie' of the old houses at the back of the brewery shows the run of the old road, two of the small, dilapidated buildings being clearly the eastmost houses of the old road just where it touched the Hardgate." (p. 19)
This scene was photographed for Aberdeen Public Library on 6th July 1917 by Mr. James Ritchie. The 'Aberdeen' Bus 1930s
267 Bus driver with his Albion motor bus belonging to the Deeside Omnibus Service, 1930s. This coach was one of several in the fleet of the Ballater based Strachan's Company. For many years, these coaches regularly departed from the SMT depot in Bon Accord Square before journeying to Banchory and beyond. Strachan's Deeside Omnibus Service operated on the Royal Deeside route for many years with Alexanders. This particular 'Aberdeen' bus looks in good condition with gleaming bodywork. Note the roof-rack for any large pieces of luggage. Culter
876 This image was taken around 1909 from a hill at the west end of Culter - 7 miles west from Aberdeen looking down on the North Deeside Road towards Banchory. The image shows the cottages known as Clayhills with the houses of Malcolm Road beyond. Hidden in the trees at the right hand side is the statue of Rob Roy overlooking the Leuchar Burn which runs through the wooded valley. 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. Clayhills and Malcom Road, Culter
969 Clayhills and Malcom Road, circa 1909. This image was taken around 1909 from a hill at the west end of Culter, 7 miles west of Aberdeen looking down on the North Deeside Road leasing towards Banchory. The image shows the cottages known as Clayhills with the houses of Malcolm Road beyond. Hidden in the trees on the right is the statue of Rob Roy overlooking the Leuchar Burn which runs through the wooded valley. Culter War Memorial
994 A photograph showing the unveiling of a new panel at Culter War Memorial on Sunday 19th June 1949.
The article 'Tribute to War Dead of Culter' from the Press & Journal of 20th June 1949, page 6, describes the ceremony as follows:
"A panel containing the names of 29 men from the parish who lost their lives in the recent war was unveiled at Culter War Memorial yesterday.
"Relatives of the fallen and representatives of the Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, Brownies, and the Territorial Army were grouped round the memorial as Mrs Tough, Hillside Road, Culter, who lost two sons in the war, unveiled the tablet.
"The panel was dedicated by the Rev. J. R. Dey, Kelman Memorial Church, who, along with the Rev. T. W. Howie, St Peter's Church, conducted the service"
Culter War Memorial is a tapering, crenelated tower located on a hillock to the west of the village. It is accessed by a footpath that leaves North Deeside Road not far beyond the bridge over the Culter Burn.
Correspondent Brian Coutts has been in touch to inform us that one of the representatives of the Brownies present at the ceremony was Elizabeth McNab.
The abovementioned sons of Mrs Jane Tough of Hillside Road were Driver Frank Tough, Royal Corps of Signals, formerly an employee of Culter Paper Mills, who was killed by enemy action in the Middle East on 24th September 1942, aged 24, and Private Ernest "Ernie" Tough, 2nd Gordons, who died on 5th October 1943, aged 26, while a prisoner-of-war in Thailand. (Source: Press & Journal, 26th September 1946, page 3.)
The former, Frank Tough, is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial in Egypt and Ernest is buried Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery in Myanmar. (Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.) 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. Cults Primary School
1042 Cults Primary School was opened in 1897 to replace Cults Endowed School which had opened in 1866. Cults had grown from a small farming community to a residential area with an increasing population, so a larger school was required. It was built of Rubislaw granite on a two acre site beside the North Deeside Road just west of the centre of the village. The building was replaced in 1974 when a new school was opened in the area where the newer housing in Cults had been built. This old school was put up for sale and was converted into flats with more being built in the playgrounds and at either side of the building. Lower Deeside Champion Ploughing Match
1047 This image shows the Committee of the Lower Deeside Champion Ploughing Match held at West Cults Farm on the 11th February 1922. In the centre of the front row, wearing a flat cap was the Secretary William E. Gibson. Behind him was Alexander Thomson, blacksmith in Cults, and to his right, was James Burnett on whose farm the match was held. The other gentlemen came from other farms in the surrounding area. The 'Aberdeen Daily Journal' reported that the weather was excellent and all arrangements were in perfect order. There were 64 competitors who had come from as far as Kinross in the south and Morayshire in the north, each with their pairs of well matched, faultlessly groomed and harnessed Clydesdales. The match was watched by around 2000 spectators. The winner was James Mowat, Newstyle, Foveran who received a silver cup and cash prize. Bydand Motor Transport Co. Ltd
1051 Bydand Motor Transport Co. Ltd. were one of a number of small bus companies which sprang up in the 1920's, and were based at the Western Garage on Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Many service men had learned to drive in the army during the First World War, and vehicle manufacturers were keen to supply new markets. Bydand announced in the 'Aberdeen Press and Journal' on 23rd May 1925 that they were to introduce a 'Deeside Motor Bus Service'. They offered a regular weekday half hourly service of buses between Aberdeen (Wallace Statue) and Bieldside with less frequent late buses and a Sunday service between Mannofield and Bieldside only. Buses were also to run between Aberdeen, Culter and Banchory. The fare from Aberdeen to Bieldside was 4p; Aberdeen to Culter was 8p; Aberdeen to Banchory was 1 shilling and sixpence. Within a few weeks, Bydand were extoling the virtues of their service in an advert headed 'Safety First'. The company made much of the fact that their buses started from His Majesty's Theatre and passed other theatres enroute. It was even possible to reserve a seat on the Banchory Bus when booking seats at His Majesty's Theatre. During the summer months Sunday Mystery Tours were advertised - a 60-70 mile trip for 5 shillings return. The 1930 Road Traffic Act introduced various restrictions and many small companies were taken over by the expanding company of W. Alexander and Sons Ltd. The 13 Bydand buses were transferred on 3rd October 1932. Wellwood, Pitfodels
1063 This beautiful mansion house in its 15 acre grounds is situated about 3 miles from Aberdeen and is set back from the North Deeside Road at Pitfodels. It was the home of George Davidson of G &W Davidson, merchants, rope and twine manufacturers but was purchased by Aberdeen Royal Mental Asylum in August 1930 and opened as a private nursing home for the treatment of early nervous and mental disorders. In 1964, it became part of the neighbouring Woodlands Home providing accommodation and care for mentally handicapped adults who might be successful in finding employment in the community. It became a day centre for adults with physical or learning difficulties, but planning permission for housing was granted in 2003. Morison's Bridge
1098 This photograph of Morison's bridge, or the Shakkin' Briggie, is reproduced from the book 123 Views of "Royal Deeside" (1903). This volume was printed and published at the office of the Aberdeen Daily Journal and Evening Express, 18-22 Broad Street, Aberdeen.
The photographs that feature in the book were taken by Mr. William J. Johnston of Rockcliffe, Banchory.
William Jaffrey Johnston (1864-1914) was a professional photographer, considered an expert in outdoor photography, and was well known around Deeside. He was also a church organist, latterly with Banchory's South U.F. Church for 16 years.
Johnston died aged 48 on 13th January 1914. A death notice, brief obituary and tribute from the Rev. W. Cowan can be found in the local newspapers of the time.
An article about the release of the album of views can be found in the Aberdeen Daily Journal of 1st June 1903 on page 5. Copies of the book can be consulted in the Local Studies collection at Aberdeen Central Library.
The description that accompanies this image of the bridge reads as follows:
"Cults Bridge was erected in 1837, so that parishioners on the north side of the river might have better means of access to the Church of Banchory-Devenick than the then 'parish boat' afforded. The donor was Rev. Dr. Morison, the minister of the parish. But the growth of Cults has been such that the parish has been re-arranged, and the village has now its own churches." (page 7). Balmoral Castle
1107 A George Washington photograph of Balmoral Castle from the north, looking towards Lochnagar. James J. Wilson's bakery fleet, Bucksburn, 1910s
1140 James J. Wilson's bakery fleet, Bucksburn - this photograph dates from the 1910s, when the shop and bakery at 13 Auchmill Road was owned by James Wilson. Here we see his horse-drawn vans setting out on their deliveries to homes and shops in the area. By 1920, however, the shop and bakery belonged to James S. Rodger and "Rodger's Bakery" was to be a familiar store in Bucksburn for more than 30 years. It is now the parent shop of Chalmers of Bucksburn Ltd., which owns shops all over Aberdeen and Deeside. The Great Storm of 1942
2295 Early in 1942 the North East experienced one of the worst storms on record. This photograph shows a man cutting a way through North Deeside Road. Image taken from The 1942 Bon-Accord Annual, p. 15. 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. 446 and 448 Union Street
2615 This photograph of Union Street was taken in 1936 and shows the premises of John Raffan, shoe fitting specialists, at 446 and Dugan & Mitchell, clothiers, at 448 Union Street.
James Dugan and Duncan Mitchell entered into partnership around 1919. Mitchell had previously been in the former's employment as a cutter.
Dugan had worked as a tailor on his own account since about 1907 in premises in Bon Accord Street, Rose Street and 443 Union Street. Prior to this he was a commercial traveller representing two local tailoring firms; Messers Milne and Low and Messers Kenneth McLean and Sons.
He became a well respected figure in the tailoring and clothing trade in Aberdeen and the North East. He was the son of a china merchant in George Street called Hugh Dugan. James was married and had a daughter. He died suddenly at his residence at Glen-Shiel, Bieldside on 10th May 1927.
Duncan Mitchell was a native of Largs, Ayrshire and served his apprenticeship in Glasgow. He was a keen golfer and was a member of the Deeside Golf Club. He died aged 73 after a short illness in January 1955.
John Raffan died on Sunday 10th June 1906 after suffering an apoplectic seizure in his Union Steet shop the preceding Friday. He was 52 years old at the time of his death. He was born in the parish of Ordiquhill and his father was a shoemaker named James Raffan.
He served his apprenticeship in Portsoy with a draper called James Guthrie before coming to Aberdeen. He worked with Messers J. & A. Gibb and Mr James Saint, warehousemen and silk mercers, prior to starting his own business as a boot and shoe merchant in Market Street and then Union Street.
Beyond his business, Raffan was deeply involved in religious and philanthropic work. He was a force in the establishment of Union Grove Baptist Church and was connected to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, as a life member, the Aberdeen Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, the Seabank Home, and Stronach's Close Mission. He was married and had a daughter and two sons.
Above the shop fronts is a sign for Imperial Typewriters. The buildings in this photograph were across the road, just west, from the Capitol Cinema. They are still visible today. In more recent times they have been occupied by general food shops such as the Co-operative and Costcutters. 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. The Invercauld Arms Hotel
3015 A photograph of the Invercauld Arms Hotel in Braemar. This image likely dates from shortly after the extension of the hotel in 1886. Mill on the Clunie
3016 A photograph, looking south west, by James Valentine showing the Mill on the Clunie in Braemar.
Also known as the Mill of Auchendryne, the building dates from the late 18th century and originally functioned as a granary. It was turned into private housing in the late 20th century.
The Clunie Water is a tributary of the River Dee. Mannofield Cricket Ground
3175 A postcard image showing a match between Braemar and Aberdeenshire at Mannofield Cricket Ground. The inscription on the right indicates the photograph was taken from inside the ground's pavilion.
The postcard was published by E. Groundwater at the Mannofield Post Office. |