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Site of Mar's Castle
108 Site of Mar's Castle, Gallowgate after its demolition in 1897. The building in the background was for many years the meeting place of the Society of Friends (Quakers). They also had a burial ground in this area in the 1670s. The building was acquired by John Watt and Sons, leather merchants. The upper part had louvre windows which made it suitable for drying leather.
The two doorways that remain standing in the centre of the image were part of the tenement located just north of Mar's Castle. Above the one on the left can be seen a sign indicating that this was once the pend leading to Logan's Court. In the late 19th century the address of this tenement would have been 150 Gallowgate.
The demolition of Mar's Castle, and likely this tenement too, began in January 1897. The Town Council bought the property and ordered its demolition so that the street could be widened. Woolmanhill looking towards Schoolhill
148 Photograph of Woolmanhill taken 1907, looking towards Schoolhill. This image is thought to show the house where Joseph Robertson (1810-1866), the journalist and historian, was born.
For more information on Robertson see the entry about him in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (available online with an active library membership) and an obituary for him can be found in the Aberdeen Journal of 19th December 1866, page 6.
Roberston was mostly likely born at 73 Woolmanhill. He and his family certainly appear to have lived at this address for some time. Robertson is listed at this number in the Aberdeen Directory 1833-34 (D. Chalmers & Co.), page 116. Additionally, a death notice for Robertson's mother, Christian Leslie, features in the Aberdeen Journal of 23rd March 1859, page 5, which gives her address as 73 Woolmanhill.
Exactly which of the shown buildings is Robertson's birthplace, or no. 73, is somewhat unclear. A Press & Journal article on "Historic Woolmanhill" from 6th June 1925, page 5, states "it was in the line of houses that separate Blackfriars Street from Woolmanhill that there was born in 1810 Joseph Robertson, who became the most noted antiquary of his day, the most accomplished that Aberdeen has produced." This would suggest that Robertson's birthplace is one of the buildings on the left.
This image featured in the Evening Express' 'Flashback' feature from 12th January 1985, page 12. The accompany information states "Joseph Robertson, an eminent historian and one time editor of the 'Aberdeen Observer' was born at 37 Woolmanhill - the tall building in the foreground of our picture - in 1810." This slightly vague description could refer to the building on the right of the image or perhaps to the first tall building on the left side of the road. The latter would accord better with other references. Additionally, the buildings on the right were known as Black's Buildings.
The above reference to "37 Woolmanhill" may initially suggest a confusion of 73 Woolmanhill, but the former is not without precedent. In Historical Aberdeen (1905), within an informative chapter on Woolmanhill, G. M. Fraser writes the following on page 149:
"Then hardly less remarkable, either in historical knowledge, or general scholarship, was Dr. Joseph Robertson, whose name appears so frequently in these pages, born in the unpretending house, still standing, No. 37 Woolmanhill. It is strange that in Aberdeen there is no public memorial of this distinguished man."
If 37 Woolmanhill is the correct address, 1950s Ordnance Survey mapping, which includes building numbers, suggests the relevant house may be the one in the centre of this image, of those on left, in the middle distance, just after the building marked as a tea warehouse. Arms of the tailors' tradesmen's guild
300 Arms of the tailors' tradesmen's guild, with motto "In God is our trust", dated 1682 - Tailors are one of the seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen Demonstration in favour of the Franchise Bill
318 On the 16th August 1884, a great demonstration took place in Aberdeen in support of the Franchise Bill. Over 10,000 men including members of 33 different trades, assembled on the Esplanade and, to the music of 20 bands, paraded through the city street on way to the Links. This photograph shows the processions snaking down Guild Street.
The figures dressed in white towards the front of the procession are likely from the contingent of bakers and millers, of whom there were 300 in number. This may be the end of their group, with a band and the shore labourers behind them.
Describing the procession, the pamphlet The Franchise Bill Demonstration at Aberdeen, on Saturday, 16th August, 1884 states the following:
"The millers and bakers, who came next, presented, perhaps the best show in the whole procession. Dressed in white from head to foot, they made a strikingly conspicuous display amid the variegated draping of the other demonstrators." (Page 7).
The pamphlet goes on to describe the various banners and displays carried by the millers and bakers.
Aberdeen City Libraries have a copy of The Franchise Bill Demonstration at Aberdeen, on Saturday, 16th August, 1884 in our Local Studies Reserve Stock (Lo 329) and this can be consulted at Aberdeen Central Library. The pamphlet states that it is compiled chiefly from local newspaper reports. Children catching shrimps at Aberdeen Sea Beach
341 Children catching shrimps at Aberdeen Sea Beach. Flourmill Brae
354 This image shows at the left hand side, a massive stone coffin which stood for many years at the back of tenements at Flourmill Brae. It was brought to the public's attention in 1926 when the area was subject to the Town Council's slum clearance scheme. The coffin consisted of granite slabs blackened and cracked through time. It was 5 and a half feet long, two feet wide and two feet deep. The sides and ends were held together by iron clamps and the lid was cemented on. The belief was that the coffin contained the remains of Mary Bannerman, one of the Bannermans of Elsick and married to George Leslie, Laird of Findrassie, near Elgin who died in 1692. However when the coffin was eventually opened it was empty apart from black earth. It was suggested that the slabs may have protected her coffin at some time and that the actual coffin and her remains had been removed to one of the city's graveyards.
Correspondent Ed Fowler has researched its location using historic maps and suggests that the stone sarcophagus was likely at the end of Quaker's Court near the Friends Meeting House, to the rear of the tenements looking onto Flourmill Brae. St. Nicholas Street, Aberdeen. 1898
363 This image taken in 1898, shows two prominent Aberdeen citizens crossing St. Nicholas Street under the watchful gaze of a statue of Queen Victoria. The building behind them was then the Town and County (now Clydesdale) Bank. These two individuals were lifelong friends and both came from a poor background, however their industry and intelligence, combined with self education led to their successful careers. William Cadenhead on the left began work in a thread factory but later became a traveller for a wine and spirit merchant, eventually succeeding to the business. He died on 11th December 1904 aged 85. William Carnie on the right was apprenticed as an engraver, but his ambition to write for newspapers was fulfilled when he began on the North of Scotland Gazette. However in 1861, he was appointed as Clerk and Treasurer of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Royal Lunatic Asylum. After his retirement he wrote three volumes entitled Reporting Reminiscences covering the period 1850 - 1876, recollecting local events and people he knew. He died on 2nd January 1908 aged 83. St. Mary's Chapel, St. Nicholas Church
366 A photograph of St. Mary's Chapel at St. Nicholas Church in around 1898.
Historic Environment Scotland's listed building information suggests this lower church was built in 1438. It was part of the 15th century expansion of St. Nicholas and located to the east of the then existing building. The main church was subsequently expanded eastwards over it.
Work was completed on the crypt in around 1507 and it was dedicated to the Virgin as Our Lady of Pity, from which derives the various names it has been known over the years; Pity Vault, the Cell of Our Lady of Pity, and St. Mary's Chapel.
The space has served many purposes since its creation and seen a number of renovations. It has been a general storehouse for sundry municipal items, including the gibbet, a plumber's shop, a public soup kitchen, a meeting place of the presbytery of Aberdeen, and a regular church.
More can be read about the chapel in Old Landmarks of Aberdeen (1885) by G. Gordon Burr and Alex. M. Munro, The Story of St. Mary's Chapel: The Ancient "Lower Church" or Crypt of St. Nicholas (1935) by The Rev. J. G. Grant Fleming and in the history section of the St. Nicholas Church website. Aberdeen Beach from the south
406 Aberdeen Beach from the south. A crowded day on the beach. Note the roof of the Beach Ballrooom at the right of the photograph. The Puffing Briggie
532 A scene of change and renovation in the Denburn Valley. The image looks south from Union Bridge over the suburban platforms of the old Aberdeen Joint Railway Station. The old station's large, curved roof can be seen in the background.
The area we are looking at has seen much change since this time. It is now largely covered by the 1960s retail development on the south side of the bridge, the later Trinity Centre, the development of Wapping Street and Denburn Road, and the building of Atholl House. Though many of the buildings of note we can see in this image are still visible today.
The tall buildings on the far right are the rear of those on Bridge Street. The small street in front of them, going up to Guild Street, is the start of College Street. It is now a partially pedestrianised lane that goes under Wapping Street. The building at the top of this street is the classical style suburban ticket office, built 1909 and now home to Tiffany Hair & Beauty.
Going west along Guild Street's two span road bridge we come to the Great North of Scotland Railway Company's headquarters. This was designed by architects Ellis & Wilson and built in 1894. It is now part of the Station Hotel, along with number 78 next door. The building retains many of its original features. The Guild Street entrance to the Trinity Centre now runs along the western side of this building.
The image also shows features that are no longer present. The covered walkway that can be seen on the near right of the image enabled direct access from the station's central platform to the Palace Hotel on Union Street. The hotel was owned by the Great North of Scotland Railway Co. (GNSR). The walkway was vaulted to pass over the tracks at sufficient height.
Consulting The Joint Station: Aberdeen Station, 1867-1992 (c1992), this image probably dates from 1912 when, in additional to commencing the reconstruction of the Joint Station, the GNSR also laid new loading docks and carriage storage siding in the Hadden Mills site (left of image). This was to ensure that the main station buildings were used purely for passenger traffic.
The walkway that linked Windmill Brae and the Green, known affectionately as the Puffing Briggie, can be seen in the centre of the image. It looks like a section on the left has been temporarily demolished as part of the ongoing work.
The sidings on the extreme left were used for cleaning carriages in the later 20th century. One of our correspondents recounts using the often-unattended carriages, accessible when entering the station from the Green, as an unusually exciting and plush playground during their youth in the late-1940s. Quaker Meeting House, Gallowgate
765 Site of Mar's Castle, Gallowgate after its demolition in 1897. The building in the background was for many years the meeting place of the Society of Friends (Quakers). They also had a burial ground in this area in the 1670s. The building was acquired by John Watt and Sons, leather merchants. The upper part had louvre windows which made it suitable for drying leather.
The two doorways that remain standing in the centre of the image were part of the tenement located just north of Mar's Castle. Above the one on the left can be seen a sign indicating that this was once the pend leading to Logan's Court. In the late 19th century the address of this tenement would have been 150 Gallowgate.
The demolition of Mar's Castle, and likely this tenement too, began in January 1897. The Town Council bought the property and ordered its demolition so that the street could be widened.
This photograph was taken at the junction with Innes Street and looks east across Gallowgate. Statue of General Charles George Gordon
777 Statue of General Charles George Gordon outside entrance to Robert Gordon's College, Schoolhill.
The inscription on the base reads "Charles George Gordon, R.E.C.B., Major General, born 28 January 1833, fell in his country's service at Kartoum, January 1885, dedicated to his memory by members of the Gordon Clan "I have done my best for the honour of our country", Kartoum 14 December 1884"
The statue was sculpted by T. Stuart Burnett, ARSA, and unveiled by the Marquis of Huntly on Saturday 16th June 1888. Provost Skene's House
1099 Built in the 16th century, Provost Skene's House is now one of Aberdeen's few remaining examples of early burgh architecture. The house, also sometimes known as Cumberland House has a long and chequered history. Our illustration was taken prior to the restoration of the building in the early 1950's. It was opened to the public by the Queen Mother in 1953. To the left of the illustration can be noted a Bedford bus, indicating that this area was formerly a bus stop for tourist coaches. To the right can be seen the buildings in the Upperkirkgate. Mar's Castle
1279 Mar's Castle which stood on the East side of the Gallowgate, opposite Innes Street. It is said to have been built by the Earl of Mar as his town lodging. A burial ground and meeting house for the Society of Friends lay next to the 'castle'. Declared unfit for habitation, it was acquired by Aberdeen Town Council and demolished 1897. During demolition the date 1595 was found on the gable. Aberdeen Central Library, Information Centre
1444 Another view of the Information Centre looking towards the 1981 extension showing the PC suite in the foreground and the Display Case used for promoting items from our collections. John Knox Church
1825 An illustration looking south down Mounthooly and across to the Gallowgate, which can be seen rising in the distance. The flank of the old John Knox Church, built 1835 and demolished in 1910, looms over the nearby houses.
Comparing the large scale Ordnance Survey maps from 1869 and 1902 we can see that these houses made way during the intervening years for a drying green located between Mounthooly and the church's graveyard. This suggests this illustration is the oldest of the three, showing broadly the same vista, that can be viewed on the Silver City Vault.
Comparing these illustrations with others in our collection suggests all three may be sketches by Andrew Gibb Jr.
The chimney far off on the Gallowgate is likely that of the Spring Garden Iron Foundry. St. Machar's Cathedral
1841 St. Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, showing a field with cows in the foreground. This image looks south east towards the church and may have been taken from the field west of Kettock's Mills and south of Balgownie Lodge.
The photograph likely dates from early 20th century and Aberdeen City Libraries hold a glass lantern slide version in our George Kemp collection. The Arms of Wrights and Coopers
1920 The Arms of Wrights and Coopers, granted in 1696, with motto "Our Redeemer liveth for ever". They are one of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Boys School of Industry
1928 An illustration of the Aberdeen Boys School of Industry in around 1841.
The first Industrial School was opened on 1st October 1841 in Chronicle Lane. It was set up by Sheriff William Watson and was intended for the industrial training of boys between the ages of 8 and 14 years. These boys were the children of the poorest classes, and chiefly 'those who are found to infest our streets, begging and stealing.'
They were educated and provided with food and worked for a few hours per day at teasing wool, netmaking or gardening. Dinner was broth, beef and bread, or occasionally potato soup, or kail.
The boys would go home to their families after 8pm, but those who were homeless went to the House of Refuge.
Religious worship was also an important part of their regime. In the first six months of the school, 109 boys were admitted, although the average daily attendance was less than 60. It was reported that juvenile vagrancy and crime had decreased attendance at the Industrial School was made compulsory.
It was then found necessary to find a larger building in 1856 which eventually became Oldmill Reformatory. Industrial Schools existed until the mid 1930s. Newhills Manse
2137 The Manse of the Church and Parish of Newhills. This photograph was taken around 1930. Andrew Currie, who became the minister of Newhills in 1918, wrote "I love the old Manse, and I fondle in my heart a wish that the old house in turn will grow to like me, and that somehow it will remember mine and me when we are far from its shelter. For us all comes the day when 'our place shall know us no more.'" Royal Navy Portrait
2148 This is a studio portrait of two unknown friends. The uniforms and cap badges indicate that the two men are in the Royal Navy. Both are holding walking sticks and one holds a cigarette. The posture and countenance of the subjects is casual and suggests the amiability of friends. Unfortunately there are no marking on this postcard photograph to identify the photographer or subjects. A School of Dolphins: Cookie at Bucksburn Library
2157 Inspiration came from both the dolphin project workshop we received and the children's wish to involve the Commonwealth Games theme this summer. The children also liked the idea of the languages because several of the children were born outside of Scotland. Finally the kids of Brimmond Primary School wanted to convey a message about keeping our seas clean. |