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Statue of Queen Victoria
73 A photograph showing the statue of Queen Victoria at the junction of Union Street and St. Nicholas Street. The building in the background is the Clydesdale Bank that stands next to M&S today. This fine Italian renaissance style building was originally constructed for the Town and County Bank and opened for business in May 1863.
The statue of Queen Victoria was made from marble and was sculpted by Banff born Alexander Brodie (c.1829 - 1867). The origin of this statue is closely related to another Aberdeen monument, the 1863 memorial statue of Prince Albert by Baron Marochetti, now standing, or rather sitting, in the area in front of the Central Library.
Marochetti's statue was augurated by Queen Victoria herself on 13th October 1863 and this was said to the first time the Queen had appeared at a public demonstration following the death of Albert in 1861. The Marochetti statue was the subject of great local controversy and there were various plans for an alternative, superior, memorial to the late Prince Consort. It was at a related meeting that a chap called Alexander Donald, from the Royal Tradesman of Aberdeen, moved "That a colossal statue in marble, of Her Majesty, be erected at the corner of St. Nicholas Street."
The endeavour was taken on by a variety of prominent citizens and funding was raised by public subscription. Brodie, the selected sculptor, worked on an 11-ton block of Sicilian marble for two years to complete the statue. The finished piece is 8 foot 6 inches in height and, at the request of Queen herself, depicts Victoria in Scottish regal attire. The statue stands on a substantial plinth of pink Peterhead granite.
The statue was unveiled and inaugurated on 20th September 1866 by Albert-Edward Prince of Wales, later to be King Edward VII and the subject of another of Aberdeen's notable statues. During his speech at the ceremony, the Prince said "Gentlemen, it has afforded me the greatest satisfaction to attend here today, by the wish of Her Majesty, and at your invitation, for the purpose of inaugurating a statue of the Queen, my dear mother. Her Majesty has desired me to express to you how much she appreciates the motives which have led the people of Aberdeenshire to give this lasting evidence of their attachment and loyalty to her person, of which she has so many proofs, and whose sympathy in her great sorrow has touched her so deeply."
During his visit, the Prince of Wales also received the Freedom of the City and attended the Royal Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, which was then going on in the Music Hall. An extensive account of the unveiling, the Royal visit and the town's celebrations is given in the Aberdeen Journal of 26th September 1866.
After some time at this location, the statue's marble began to show weathering due to the frost and so it was moved to the vestibule of the Town House in 1888, where it remains to this day. It stands at the foot of the building's splendid main stairway. The plaster model of Brodie's statue has also been on display in the Music Hall for many years.
A new bronze statue of an older Victoria, by sculptor Charles Bell Birch, was erected at the St. Nicholas Street location on 9th November 1893 and "the Queen" became a regular meeting place for generations of Aberdonians. To make way for the extension of Marks & Spencer, the 1893 statue moved to its current site at Queen's Cross on 22nd January 1964. Victoria now stands looking east towards Balmoral. Union Terrace
86 Union Terrace at the junction with Union Street. The imposing building on the left is the Northern Assurance Building (Commercial Union Assurance), designed by A. Marshall Mackenzie and known locally as "The Monkey House". The statue of Prince Albert was relocated to the other end of Union Terrace to make space for the new statue of King Edward VII in 1914. Rosemount Viaduct
134 Rosemount Viaduct, showing the William Wallace statue, the South Church and the Central Library, c.1900 prior to the building of His Majesty's Theatre. Rosemount Viaduct
154 Union Terrace looking towards Rosemount Viaduct. On the left is St. Mark's Church and on the right His Majesty's Theatre. In front of the theatre is the statue of William Wallace with Prince Albert at the left. Rosemount Viaduct
217 Rosemount Viaduct looking towards the Triple Kirks and the statue of William Wallace. The row of buses are probably waiting for a performance at His Majesty's Theatre to finish. Union Terrace
222 Union Terrace, with statue of King Edward VII which was erected in 1914, after the statue of Prince Albert was re-located to the other end of Union Terrace. Gala and Heather Day in the Duthie Park
395 This Adelphi Series postcard shows the Gala Day taking place in Duthie Park on 21st August 1915.
The Gala in Duthie Park and the accompanying Heather Day were both organised to raise funds for the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The Gala Day is one of largest events ever to take place at the park. It was estimated that between 25,000 and 26,000 people attended. Tickets cost 6 pence (6d) for general admission and 2s 6d for carriages or motor cars.
Within the park there was an elaborate programme of entertainment and refreshments organised. Details of the programme were published in a 32 page booklet prior to the event. Upwards of 1,300 people took part in the programme.
Gates to the park opened at 3pm and the event officially commence at 3pm with a grand military parade. Lieut-Colonel A. H. Leith of Glenkindie, Garrison Commander, and Lord Provost James Taggart "took the salute" opposite the Hygiea statue.
The Gala and Heather Day were organised by a distinct committee; Taggart was its president and Alexander Findlay, Superintendent of Cleansing, was its chairman. Councillor H. J. Gray was the secretary and treasurer and Mr John Lints was his assistant. There were also conveners and secretaries for various sub-committees concerned with aspects like entertainment and refreshments.
There was a wide range of entertainment organised for within the park including singing, dancing, gymnastic displays, musical drill, motor cycle gymkhana and bayonet fighting. Various platforms saw performances from acts such as a company lead by D. M. Kinghorn, pierrots directed by Minnie Mearns, Dan Williams, and W. A. Craig's operatic choir. Charles Soutar lead a 500 strong choir of children from the city's public schools.
Practically all naval and military units present in the city were represented at the event and individuals from many of them took part in the sporting competitions. The day also included a 5-a-side football and tug of war competition. Preliminary matches for these took place prior to the day at Pittodrie Park.
The Gala Day was filmed and this was later shown as part of a special programme at the Picture House on Union Street from the 25th of the month.
Over £500 was taken at the gates for the event. Entertainment and refreshments within further increased the figure raised.
Heather Day itself generated another £474. This involved over 1,500 vendors going around all parts of the city selling sprigs of the plant. The sale started on the afternoon of the Friday and continued all through Saturday. Entertainment venues throughout the city were also visited.
The vendors were primarily young women and members of organisations like the boys brigade. Stores present in all areas of the city were replenished from a central depot at 173a Union Street. This in turn was supplied by the cleansing department buildings in Poynernook Road, where the preceding week had seen 200,000 sprigs prepared for sale. Peterhead, Inverurie, Ellon and Banchory organised their own Heather Days for the same fund.
The sum taken from both the Gala and the Heather Day was estimated at considerably over £1,000.
See the report in the Aberdeen Journal, Monday 23rd August 1915 page 8, for further details about the occasion. Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen
413 View of His Majesty's Theatre, Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen. Note the Wallace Statue on the left. Kittybrewster School
458 The school was opened 14th August 1899 on Great Northern Road with space for 1,100 eager to learn pupils!
This photographs shows the school, and the junction with Lilybank Place, looking north west from Great Northern Road.
The school was built by a popular Aberdeen builder named John Morgan who amongst other things also built the Caledonian Hotel, King Street School, various churches and the statue of William Wallace which stands opposite His Majesty's Theatre.
In the early days, students would have had to learn in a building with no heating and only outdoor toilets. Union Terrace Gardens
797 Union Terrace Gardens from the corner of Union Terrace and Union Street. The Denburn valley and the spires of the Triple Kirks at the left and Belmont Congregational Church, with the statue of Prince Albert in the foreground. This statue was moved to the other end of Union Terrace and the site is now occupied by the statue of King Edward VII. Rosemount Viaduct
803 Rosemount Viaduct from Union Terrace Gardens. St. Mark's Church and the Central Library are on the left with the statue of William Wallace pointing towards the site of His Majesty's Theatre. 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. Rosemount Viaduct
1196 Aberdeen Central Public Library, St. Mark's Church and the statue of William Wallace all on Rosemount Viaduct. His Majesty's Theatre is yet to be built - opened in 1906. The dome of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Woolmanhill is just visible in the background. Rosemount Viaduct view
1387 A postcard view of the Central Library in 1900 showing the Free South Church (now St Marks) and Wallace Statue. This image pre-dates the building of His Majesty's Theatre. Portrait of three young girls in Union Terrace Gardens
1512 Portrait of three young girls in Union Terrace Gardens. St Mark's Church and the Wallace Statue are in the background. The absence of His Majesty's Theatre dates the picture to before 1906. Rosemount Viaduct
1530 Rosemount Viaduct with His Majesty's Theatre, St Mark's Church and the Central Library at the right of the photograph. The Wallace Statue is on the left. Rosemount Viaduct
1546 A photograph looking west along Rosemount Viaduct. His Majesty's Theatre and the Wallace Statue feature prominently. Union Bridge
2102 A photograph of Union Bridge. Cabbies wait for business beside the statue of Prince Albert. The Wallace Statue and Woolmanhill Hospital
2651 A photograph of the Wallace Statue from Union Terrace Gardens prior to the construction of His Majesty's Theatre. Union Bridge
2689 Union Bridge, with the statue of Prince Albert in foreground.
At the east end of the bridge (centre of image) can be seen the Trinity Hall, home to the Incorporated Trades since its construction in 1846. It replaced an older Trinity Hall located on the south side of The Green.
This second Trinity Hall was largely demolished in 1967 when the Incorporated Trades moved to Holburn Street. It made way for an extension to Littlewoods Stores, though the frontage on Union Street was retained.
Union Bridge was widened in 1905 and saw the introduction of the "Kelly's Cats". The bridge was also altered in 1963 with the construction of shops on the south side. King Edward Statue Unveiling
2709 An Adelphi Series postcard showing the public unveiling of the statue of King Edward VII at the corner of Union Bridge and Union Terrace in October 1914.
A large crowd assembled for the event despite inclement weather. The statue, which was funded by public subscription, was designed by Alfred Drury and unveiled by Lord Bryce. It replaced a statue of Prince Albert that was moved to the area in front of the Central Library at the other end of Union Terrace.
Aberdeen Local Studies hold two copies of this postcard. In reference to the statue, someone has written on the rear of one: "Very nice. If you saw it you would say they could cut anything in granite".
The other postcard appears to have the latter part of a longer message dating from the First World War period. It is addressed to Camille Briendo at Châtéau de Nantes and reads "I hope I shall be accepted but as I am slightly short-sighted, I may be rejected. Perhaps I shall see you before this war is over. As soon as I know, I shall write you. As long as I am here I shall".
Also of interest in the postcard's image is a large sign for James Bannochie & Sons at their premises at 19 Belmont Street. They were a well established firm of plasterers and tilers in Aberdeen. James Bannochie died aged 70 on 29 June 1909.
The roof of the building at 49 Belmont Street, then known as the Trades Hall, and what would eventually become the Belmont Cinema, is painted to read "Coliseum". The Coliseum Cinema was opened on 22 August 1910 and was run by Messers Walker and Company. Horse Drawn Carriage at Rosemount Viaduct
2860 A four horse drawn carriage leaden with passengers on Rosemount Viaduct. On the left of the image is the statue of William Wallace, in the background is most likely Black's Buildings and on the right is Schoolhill Railway Station. The spire that can be seen is likely that of Robert Gordon's College. These buildings and the absence of His Majesty's Theatre suggest the image was taken sometime between the 1890s or 1906. Union Terrace Gardens
3114 A photograph looking up to Rosemount Viaduct, showing His Majesty's Theatre, the Wallace Statue and the floral displays in Union Terrace Garden. It is a sunny day and people can be seen enjoying the park. This image likely dates from the 1970s.
This photograph comes from a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. |