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North of Scotland Bank, Aberdeen
7 In 1838, the North of Scotland Bank purchased the New Inn and other properties at the corner of Castle Street and King Street. The architect Archibald Simpson was invited to submit plans for the Bank's Head Office on the cleared site. This is a photograph of one of his designs which was not accepted. It shows a building with a curved corner topped with a dome and Corinthian columns running through the first and second floors supporting a pediment over an elaborate cornice. The plan which was adopted also had three storeys but the entrance was a Corinthian portico at the corner topped with an open platform with a terracotta sculpture group by James Giles, representing Ceres, goddess of plenty. 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. Allan Park Skating Pond, Cults
1032 This wintry scene of iceskaters was taken about 1902/3 in Allan Park, Cults. Allan Park was named after David Allan, a resident of Cults and head of the firm of James Allan and Son, Furnishers. He gifted about 7 acres of land between the Deeside Railway and the River Dee, and the Park was officially opened in June 1897. It was proposed that there should be a curling and skating pond in the centre surrounded with trees and laid out with walks. Hockey match in Allan Park, Cults
1034 Hockey match in Allan Park, Cults, c.1900. Allan Park was named after David Allan, a resident of Cults and head of the firm of James Allan and Son, Furnishers. He gifted about 7 acres of land between the Deeside Railway and the River Dee, and the Park was officially opened in June 1897. Studio portrait of a young woman
1568 Head and shoulders studio portrait of a young woman. At the base of the photograph is written "Yours ever affect ... Esther".
This image has not yet been indexed. Use the Comments button below the image to enter information about the image.
Please note: we will not include any personal information provided unless you indicate that you wish to be acknowledged. The standard form for crediting your information is (name, place) e.g. (John Smith, Aberdeen). Portrait of sporting young man in white flannels standing in front of a bathing machine.
1648 Correspondent Ed Fowler has been in touch with the following information concerning this image:
"Bathing Machines were temporary changing rooms that were wheeled down to the beach strand. They allowed sea swimmers a ready facility of changing into bathing costumes or out of wet costumes after swimming in the sea.
The facility was spartan - just 2 bench seats - wet and dry sides perhaps and a small round vanity mirror at head level.
They were soon outmoded and removed from the beach and stored behind the Banner Mill for 1940's children, such as the writer, to explore and vandalise.
The well-built gentleman in this photograph was likely a self-appointed lifeguard of the era and maybe Scotland's champion swimmer and diver - Aberdeen's Mr Willie 'Moosie' Sutherland.
He was famed for his rescue successes at Aberdeen Beach, Walkers Dam and the River Dee and was an active member of the Dee Swimming Club and Bon Accord Club since 1865.
'Moosie' saved well over 100 Lives and was given a recognition of Rescue service award by Lord Provost Leslie in 1871 at the age of 27 years.
He died aged 42 on the 20th September 1886 his last competitive race was the first ever Dee to Don Estuaries swim in the same year." Hatter to the People
2021 A drawing of Samuel "Sammy" Martin, who was known as 'the hatter to the people.' His shop was located at 34 Union Street. William Skene, in East Neuk Chronicles, describes Martin as "one of the most ultra-loyal subjects Her Majesty ever had in these parts." On special occasions he would dress in a red Garibaldi shirt and fancy head dress and play the cornet from the windows of his shop. He was something of a pioneer in local promotion. He is buried in Nellfield Cemetery and his tombstone reads "The last resting place of Samuel Martin, Hatter to the People." Royal Medical Corps Portrait I
2146 This portrait of a soldier in The Royal Army Medical Corps dates from around World War I. The badge of the corps can be seen on the soldier's cap.
Unfortunately, there are no identifying marks on the front or back of the postcard so it is highly difficult to establish the photographer who took the picture or discover the subject's name.
Only the head and shoulders of the subject feature, in contrast to the more common full length studio portraits of the time. The plain nature of the image, the lack of props and backdrop, accentuates the beatific quality of the sitter and the poignancy of his wartime fate. Duthie Park
2192 A postcard image, likely from the early 20th century, looking east across the northernmost section of Duthie Park's Upper Lake, towards the bandstand.
As can be seen on old large scale Ordnance Survey maps, the northern section of the lake was originally lobed shape as visible here. It was made more cohesively rounded at some point in the mid-20th century.
This part of the Upper Lake has traditionally been used for pedalos. 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. Dee Village
2884 A photograph showing the residential area of Dee Village at the bottom of Crown Street before it was cleared for the construction of the municipal Electricity Works between 1901 and 1903.
This photograph looks west and Crown Street can be seen in the background. the gap between the visible buildings is where the street turns slightly towards the north west and begins to incline.
The woman in the foreground stands next to a metal outdoor water fountain, the faucet of which is in the design of a lion's head.
This image is from an album of photographs held by Aberdeen City Libraries detailing the construction of the Dee Village Electricity Works. Pennan
2955 A photograph of Pennan by James Porter taken from Buchan Illustrated (1904). The book was one of a number of pictorial albums of Aberdeenshire published by the offices of the Aberdeen Daily Journal and the Evening Express. The book was bound for the publishers by W. J. Middleton, Adelphi Works.
All its 80 photographs were taken by James Porter, then based at 6 Schoolhill. He was a well-known and prominent photographer, considered to be one of the first in the City to work with newspapers.
Porter died aged 63 on 31st May 1937 at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. His obituary can be read in the next day's Press and Journal.
Buchan Illustrated accompanies the photograph of Pennan with the following text:
"The beautiful bay of Pennan is the haunt of artists; its village stretches along the margin of the sea under the shadow of rugged cliffs which rise abruptly above the houses to the height of 200 feet. In storms the houses are occasionally flooded at high water. The view from the Red Head of Pennan (562 feet) is a notable one - to the westward, Troup Head; to the eastward, a long line of indented coast; across the Moray Firth, many of the great mountains of Ross, Sutherland, and Caithness." March Stone 18 (plus cup stone)
3200 This stone is located in a field 150 metres south-west of the entrance to Hilton Farm, west of Hillhead Road. The 1929 Blue Book describes the location as the north east head of the Den of Murtle. The stone is marked "18 ABD".
The marker was described in 1698 as a saucer stone next to a cairn on the edge of a road: by 1929 the road had disappeared but the cairn was still there. The saucer stone survives next to the lettered stone, which had been broken by 1810 and the current one probably dates to the 1821 riding of the marches.
The Blue Book includes a image of the lettered stone showing a "T" marked on its back.
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 19
3201 This stone is located adjacent to a dyke in the fields to the south east of Westfield Farm. It is marked "19 ABD".
The marker was described in 1780 as "a low flat earthfast Stone, with a saucer situated partly under the march dyke dividing the lands of Binghill and Westfield..." West of number 18, the stone is at the north west head of the Den of Murtle.
The Blue Book states "An argument 10th March, 1602, between the Town Council and Alexander Cumming of Culter defines the marches from stones of 18 to 26."
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 21
3203 This stone is located in field south west of Westfield Cottage. It is marked "21 ABD". Westfield Farm and the fields with these stones is found between Contlaw Road, to the south, and the road called Blacktop, to the north. The Den of Murtle is nearby to the east and Milltimber, on North Deeside Road, is far to the south.
The marrker was described in 1698 as upon a "knowhead" (hillock head) with a cairn.
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 26
3208 This stone is located at the confluence of Brodiach and Silver Burns. Access is best achieved from Brotherfield Farm. The line of the marches has headed west from number 25. This stone is marked "26 ABD".
The Brodiach has flown here from the north and can be followed through the lands between Westhill, on the west, and Kingswells to the east. Stone number 28 also sits on the burn.
This stone marks the south west corner of the Freedom Lands. The boundary has travelled west, a west-south-westerly curve, from the Ferryhill Burn at the River Dee to this point and will now head north, with gentle zig-zag, to the Doupin' stone, number 31, at Wynford Farm.
In 1698 it was noted that there had never been a march stone here but the location had always been pointed out on ridings. A stone was recommended in 1780.
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 33
3215 This stone is located in a field 130 metres north east of No. 32, near a stepped approach to Elrick Hill. It is marked "33 ABD".
The stone is near the head of the Blind Burn and where a track, originating at the Craibstone Road, turns west to head to Southside Farm and Clinterty House.
The marker was described in 1525 as a "gret marche stanniss markit with the sauchter..." A saucer stone remains to the rear of the lettered stone.
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 37
3219 This stone is located at the south east end of the outbuilding of Ashtown Farm. It is marked "37 ABD". The farm is on the south side of the Craibstone Estate road.
The marker was described in 1698 as "ane great march-stone marked with ane P for Propertie and ane sauser at the west head of the croft of Ashehillocks..."
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. Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanitorium
3810 A group portrait of patients and staff at the Newhills Convalescent Home and Sanatorium in the 1930s.
The Newhills Convalescent Home was founded by Christian Catherine Smith in 1874. She was the wife of Rev. James Smith, the minister of Newhills Parish Church. The couple lived in the nearby church manse. Christian grew up in North Ayrshire and demonstrated concern for the welfare of others from a young age.
Christian married James Smith on 14th April 1869 and it was shortly after arriving in the parish that she recognised the potential of the place as somewhere ill people could come to rest and regain their health. The convalescent home was subsequently started at Dykeside Cottage. It was a great success and operated at this location for 7 years.
Annual newspaper reports on the home described its purpose as being for "the benefit of respectable persons in humble life who appear to be failing into dishealth, or are convalescing after non-infectious ailments."
In 1908 Christian Smith stepped down as head of the home due to ill health and was replaced by a publicly elected executive board. This was led for many years by Dr. Walter A. Reid and during his tenure the institute was modernised and extended.
In 1948 the home was incorporated into the National Health Service. Due to issues of staffing and its unsuitability during winter, the decision was taken to close the home. Patients were transferred to other local hospitals and in the same year the home was sold to Aberdeen Town Council.
The buildings were subsequently operated as a home for the elderly and homeless until March 1980 when it was sold into private hands.
After leaving the manse in 1917, Christian Catherine Smith, the founder of the home, lived at 2 West Craibstone Street. She died there on 6th December 1924 aged 81. She was buried at Newhills Church and the then minister Rev. Andrew Currie led a memorial service. He described the Newhills Convalescent Home as "an institution not only for the healing of bodies, but a place for the comfort of hearts and the cure of souls." Christian Smith's name can still be seen today in one of the church's stained-glass windows. Pennan
4232 A photograph looking east towards Black Hill and Pennan Head, or Red Head of Pennan, in Buchan. A house called Havenlea can be seen on the hillside.
The village of Pennan and shoreline can be seen in the foreground. Clothes are drying on washing lines and the pier of the harbour is visible in the distance.
Aberdeenshire Council's Conservation Area Profile for the village (June 2022) states that Pennan was once a flourishing fishing village during the 18th and 19th centuries. Changes in the industry and to demand meant that commercial fishing progressively left Pennan following the First World War.
The Pennan Harbour Trust state that the last commercial fishing vessel, the May Lily, left the village after the death of its owner in 2016.
The photograph comes from a collection of slides from the 1970s and 80s donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department. Aberdeen Market 13 - Liberty Hair
4389 A photograph taken By Roddy Millars showing the interior of Liberty Hair within Aberdeen Market. It was a shop selling wigs, hair products and fashion accessories. The shop floor, as shown, is packed full of items.
Mannequin heads are being used to model various wigs and a head scarf. Handwritten neon signs can be seen highlighting special offers. This type of sign was often used by the small shops within the Market.
With the closure of the Market building, this business moved to Leicester in England.
Photograph taken on 26/02/2019. Treasure 18: The Illustrated London News
189 One of this month's treasures is an extract of The Illustrated London News. This issue, dated from the 14th of November 1936, shows the General Francisco Franco, "the leader of the attack on Madrid and, from the first, ranked as head of the anti-government forces"... and dictator of Spain from 1939 to 1975.
Newspapers are indeed a great source of information on historic topics. What is particularly remarkable about The Illustrated London News is that it was probably the first pictorial weekly newspaper. Founded by Herbert Ingram, a newsagent from Nottingham, the first issue was published on the 14th May 1842 and sold for 6 pence. Ingram had the idea to include pictures and woodcuts within the paper in order to sell more copies. And it worked! The first issue met with immediate success, selling 26,000 copies during the first days and printing 65,000 more copies during the same week.
The Spanish Civil War broke out on the 17th of July 1936. During more than two years, nationalists and pro-government forces fought in Spain. At the same time, in Britain, Chamberlain and his conservative government defended strong neutrality and choose to keep the country far away from the war.
However, the "civil war" was a domestic conflict in name only. During more than two years, and even after the nationalist victory in 1939, it attracted the attentions of many governments and individuals. The Illustrated London News is a witness of the conflict and gives also some sense of the British representation of the Spanish Civil War. Even if it tried to keep its impartiality, its judgments and the way it conveyed the information was viewed through the eyes of local interest and popular opinion.
The newspaper portrayed the majority public opinion, which was non-intervention. As such, it tried to show both the nationalists sides and the pro-government opinion.
From July 1936 to April 1939, 549 Scots joined the International Brigades and fought to defend democracy in Spain. 134 lost their lives in Spain.
The International Brigade Memorial Trust is a British charity which aims to keep alive the memory and spirit of the over 50,000 individuals from Britain, Ireland and the Commonwealth who volunteered to defend democracy and fight facism. We hope this treasure acts as an additional commemoration for those who went to Spain.
Treasure 45: British Association for the Advancement of Science - 1934 Visit Souvenir
214 The British Science Association holds its annual British Science Week in March when a variety of events including talks and activity days for adults, schools, and families are held country-wide to celebrate science and technology.
The British Science Association has evolved from the organisation which was founded in 1831 as the British Association for the Advancement of Science with the aim of promoting interest and research in the sciences, believed to be in decline at the time.
Their annual meetings, held in different cities across the UK during a week in early September, allowed professional scientists to discuss their current research not only with members of other scientific disciplines but also with the general public.
In this Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, it may be interesting to look back at these annual meetings of the Association when Aberdeen welcomed 2000 - 3000 scientists and members in 1859, 1885, 1934 and 1963.
The 1934 visit was even more special because it coincided with the Jubilee of the city's adoption of the Public Library Acts in 1884. A special luncheon was held on Friday 7 September in the Aberdeen Central Library Reference Department when the City Librarian, G.M. Fraser, and the Library Committee entertained 112 invited guests, including the President Sir James H. Jeans, the President-elect Professor W. W. Watts, and about 70 of the more distinguished members of the Association, with representatives of educational, official, professional, commercial and industrial interests of the city. This was believed to be the first time that such an event had been held in a public library and it was regarded as hugely successful.
This attractive menu card in the form of the binding of a book was created by local printing firm Taylor and Henderson at a cost of £9. 5s. 6d. for 120 copies. Catering, including the food, decorations and staff, was provided by the Royal Athenaeum Restaurant at a cost of 5 shillings per head - a total cost of £50 11s. 3d
Having been greeted in the Library Committee Room by Lord Provost of Aberdeen Henry Alexander, the guests were guided by members of staff through the Lending Department to the main staircase which was laid with crimson cloth and decorated with plants and shrubs.
The Library staff were also able to enjoy the day by being treated to lunch at the nearby Caledonian Hotel on Union Terrace, although they were expected to return in time to help escort their honoured guests from the Library.
Guests included Sir Arthur Hill of Royal Botanic Gardens, Miss Olga Nethersole, founder of The People's League of Health, Dr Marie Stopes, paleobotanist, but perhaps better remembered for her work on women's rights and birth control, Sir Josiah Stamp of London Midland and Scottish Railway, and Sir Arthur Eddington, astronomer.
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