59

Latin inscription on stone, Ruthrieston Bridge. It reads "Senatus Abredonensis hunc pontem impensis ex aere ad pontem deae spectante extruendum curavit anno 1693" ("The Town Council of Aberdeen caused this bridge to be built with moneys from the Bridge of Dee Fund in the year 1693").

61

The Pack Bridge (formerly known as the Ruthrieston Bridge) of 1693 was moved 30 metres eastwards to this site on Riverside Drive in 1923.

62

The Pack Bridge (formerly known as the Ruthrieston Bridge) of 1693 was moved 30 metres eastwards to this site on Riverside Drive in 1923. This photograph shows the reconstruction of the bridge in 1923.

63

The Pack Bridge (formerly known as the Ruthrieston Bridge) of 1693 was moved 30 metres eastwards to Riverside Drive in 1923.

64

The Pack Bridge (formerly known as the Ruthrieston Bridge) of 1693 was moved 30 metres eastwards to this site on Riverside Drive in 1923. This photograph shows the reconstruction of the bridge in 1923.

521

Provost Robert Cruickshank's coat of arms on Ruthrieston Pack Bridge, which he had installed without being first sanctioned by the City Council. He refused to remove it and the Master of Bridgeworks turned the panel over and had engraved a Latin inscription recording that the bridge was erected out of funds mortified for the upkeep of the Bridge of Dee. By 1705 the stone was again reversed and Cruickshank's coat of arms was visible again.

821

Ruthrieston Pack Bridge and Bridge of Dee looking south.

1862

Ruthrieston Bridge.

4515

A photograph looking east showing a tram and staff outside Mannofield Tram Depot in around 1905. At the time of this photograph, Mannofield was still a peaceful suburban village. Great Western Road was the main thoroughfare west from the city. The trams had the road mostly to themselves. Aberdeen Corporation had a small depot opposite Mannofield Church. The individuals in the photograph were possibly the full compliment of crew who had been trained and were now ready to manage the new stretch of the Deeside Route from Mannofield to Bieldside. The official opening of that line took place on Thursday 23rd June 1904, with the line opening to the public immediately afterwards. In this image, the depot on Great Western Road is on the right and the junction of Duthie Terrace can be partially seen in the background.

4516

A James Valentine postcard image looking north showing a quiet section of Forest Avenue around the 1910s. Only a couple of horse drawn carts are visible in the distance. This image shows Forest Avenue a bit to the south of its junction with Devonshire Road and Learney Place. The side of the house on the corner of Devonshire Road, 140-142 Forest Avenue, is visible in the middle distance on the right. The white washed house with a Tudor style gable, seen further on the right, is 62 Gladstone Place. The buildings in the distance in the centre, on higher ground, are those on Queen's Road. In modern times, unlike in this image, Forest Avenue is an often busy street. Particularly cars crossing from Great Western Road towards Queen's Road and continuing onto Forest Road. Prior to 1896, this street was known as Forest Road South, but was renamed to avoid confusion. At the same time the proprietors of the houses were given permission to plant trees as seen here. Though the species to be planted needed to be approved by Keeper of Duthie Park. Note that each tree has its own protective cage.

4517

A colourised James Valentine photograph digitised from a postcard that looks west along Great Western Road at its junction with Brighton Place, shown on the right here. The house in the foreground on the right, with a corner spire, is 294 Great Western Road. At the time of this image, the building would have been the home and medical practice of Dr. George Gibb (1861-1942). He practiced at this address from 1888 until shortly before his death. The plaque on the pillar on the right was likely for this medical business. Gibb was a student at the Gymnasium, Old Aberdeen and at the University of Aberdeen. For many years he was on the staff of the Aberdeen Sick Children's Hospital. An influential local doctor, he was considered most likely the oldest medical practitioner in the city at the time of his death. An obituary for Gibb can be found in the Press & Journal of 17th December 1942, page 4. The photograph shows tramlines in the cobbled street and associated poles. Old street lamps, a bicycle, part of a pram, and a solitary pedestrian can also be seen. The rear of this postcard states it is a Valentine's Series, "Famous Throughout the World", and was sold by James Donald of 395 Union Street. The postcard was written on 7th September 1911 and sent by someone newly arrived in Aberdeen to an acquaintance in Stornoway.

4518

A postcard image showing Mannofield Post Office on the corner of Great Western Road and Cranford Road. The junction for the latter is on the left. The staff of the post office stand proudly outside their premises. The sign above the door indicates that the business was run by Mrs. Groundwater. This is likely the woman standing to the left of the door. As indicated on the border to the left of the image, this postcard was published by E. Groundwater. Aberdeen post office directories from the time indicate that Mrs. E. Groundwater ran the Mannofield Post Office at 531 Great Western Road, which remains this building's address in modern times, and lived just to the left of this image at 4 Cranford Road. Adverts for Rowntree's Cocoa, Fry's Chocolate and cigarettes are shown on the exterior of the post office. There is also a sandwich board outside the door which appears to be adverting the contents of the Aberdeen Free Press newspaper. Historic newspapers indicate that Elizabeth Forbes Groundwater (1874-1950), née Sutherland, in later life lived at 592 Clifton Road. She was the widow of Allan Groundwater of Stoneywood and South Africa. On her death, she left a legacy of £2,398 to be shared among the Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind, the Royal Aberdeen Hospital for Sick Children, Aberlour Orphanage, and Newhills Convalescent Home. This postcard was likely sold in Groundwater's post office. It was sent in 1904 and was sent from a local girl, who signs it "Mary W.", to a young friend, a Miss Allan of 5 Halkyn Terrace, Sefton Park, Liverpool, who had evidently visited Aberdeen. The message written along the bottom of the postcard reads "Do you remember coming along this road and round the corner to our country house?" In the early 20th century there were a number of country houses in the vicinity. The shown corner building at 531 Great Western Road still stands at the time of writing in 2025. An additional upper storey has been added above.

4519

An advertisement photograph of the Grange Hotel at 395 Great Western Road in around 1970. Great Western Road is a primary route out of Aberdeen to Royal Deeside and the west. The street was originally mostly residential with large granite houses and individual mansions. Over time, some of these were turned into bed and breakfast establishments and hotels. The location provided holidaymakers with an excellent potential base for touring Deeside and the wider North East. One such hotel, as shown here, was The Grange. For some years it had been a busy unlicensed hotel before renovation in 1971, which saw an extension to the dining room, new toilets, 5 new bedrooms and a car park. The owner, Orcadian Magnus T. Spence, had acquired a licence and a new lounge bar was officially opened in November 1971 by Herbert W. Scott, general manager of North of Scotland Orkney and Shetland Shipping Co. Ltd., Aberdeen. The bar, which could seat 70, was a popular meeting place for teachers, doctors and businessmen. The hotel, which had 11 bedrooms and could take 25 guests, was described as "warm and comfy" and having "the glow of hospitality". Spence sold the property in 1972 and in the later 20th century it was known as the Edwardian Hotel. The building has since been converted back into private housing, with a significant extension to the rear, and now contains a number of flats.

247

This feuing plan from 1875 was drafted James Forbes Beattie & Son, Civil Engineers and Surveyors. The production of the plan is credited to Keith & Gibb, Lithographers and Engravers to the Queen. The plan shows Ruthrieston Terrace and Bridge of Dee Road and also features an illustration of the Bridge of Dee area and life on the river.