60

An early photograph of Allenvale Cemetery, taking shape in the middle distance, as seen from Kincorth, with Abbotswell Farm in the foreground. A limited company called the Aberdeen Cemetery Company was established for the purpose of creating this new graveyard. A prospectus inviting public investment was published in the Aberdeen Journal of 29th January 1873. It reads as follows: "It is well known that in Aberdeen cemetery accommodation is limited and insufficient, and it is generally admitted that its extension is necessary, and cannot much longer be delayed. It is therefore desirable to acquire additional space for that purpose, and to treat it in accordance with modern ideas and practice. "This company has been formed for the purpose of providing an extensive Cemetery, in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, suitable in all respects for the purposes of internment, and of easy access - but sufficiently removed from town to preserve its suburban character." The new cemetery opened in late 1874 and, as we know, was a big hit. It was officially known as the Aberdeen Cemetery but quickly became known as Allenvale Cemetery, after the property on which it was built. Allenvale saw major extensions in 1912 and 1932. A London syndicate purchased control of the graveyard from the Aberdeen Cemetery Company in 1958. Aberdeen Town Council subsequently took control of the cemetery in 1965 following the then owners going into liquidation and worries about Allenvale's future. Allenvale remains a fine example of a planned Victorian cemetery to this day. Notable residents of Allenvale include John James Rickard MacLeod (1876-1935), co-discoverer of insulin, James Scott Skinner (1843-1927), fiddler and composer, and Mary Esslemont (1891-1984), the influential doctor. Though, of course, many interned at Allenvale would have their own interesting stories to tell. In this photograph, Duthie Park, later created on the right, has yet to be landscaped. St. Machar Poorhouse, Fonthill House and Devanha House can all be seen in the distance.

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.

173

Bishop's Loch lies to the north of Aberdeen, just within the city boundary. A charter from the 12th century refers to the lands of Goul or Goval, where the Bishop of Aberdeen had his palace or residence on an island in Loch Goul, now called Bishop's Loch, where at one time the site was visible. The approach to the palace was by a drawbridge. At this time, the Bishops were engaged in developing the Chanonry in Old Aberdeen. Over time, the lands outside the Chanonry were sold off. This photograph shows a much larger expanse of water than now exists. The water level has been lowered and certain areas are silted up and there is lush growth of various wetland plants. Nearby, there is new housing and a sand gravel quarry. Many discussions took place about the possible creation of a nature reserve to encompass this loch and two other nearby lochs - Lochs Corby and Lily - and they were listed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest in October 1983.

412

A postcard image showing Union Terrace Gardens in the centre of Aberdeen. There are a couple of notable features that might be able to help date the image: there is no bandstand present and the lower, central area in this image is still in the older lay-out with wide dividing paths. The removal of the bandstand and change of lay-out may have been carried at around the same time. A minute from an Aberdeen Town Council meeting of 21st September 1931, detailing a recommendation from the Links and Parks Committee to the full Council, reads as follows: "The Committee had before them a report by the Superintendent of the City Parks, in which he points out that he has had the bandstand in Union Terrace Gardens examined, that it is in a bad state of repair, and that he has been informed that the cost of repairing the worn-out parts would be almost equal to the cost of a new stand. He further states that the bandstand has not been used for some years, owing to the noise from the adjoining railway interfering with the performances, and suggests that the stand should be removed, the site and surrounding pathways levelled, covered with soil and sown with grass seed. If this were done, the playing area would be increased by 1,407 square yards, as shown coloured yellow on the plan herewith submitted, thereby giving greater facilities to the large number of children who frequent the Gardens. "The Committee approved of the report, and beg to recommend that the Council should grant authority to the Superintendent of Parks to have the bandstand removed and the other work carried out as proposed." (Minutes and Proceedings of Town Council, City of Aberdeen, 1930-1931, page 660. The full Council approved this recommendation from the Links and Parks Committee. In light of this information, the image may date from relatively shortly after September 1931. After the bandstand has been removed but before the ground had been leveled and sown as a single larger grass lawn.

485

A lithograph print of a drawing by James Skene of Rubislaw (1775-1864). The illustration depicts the Mercat Cross and Tolbooth in the centre of Aberdeen in around 1800. James Skene was a lawyer, amateur artist, and a notable friend of Walter Scott. A short article from the Aberdeen Daily Journal of 23rd February 1912, page 9, indicates that this image was made to illustrate an edition of The History of the troubles and memorable transactions in England and Scotland, from M.DC.XXIV TO M.DC.XLV by John Spalding that was published by the Bannatyne Club in 1829. An engraved version of this image can be found facing page 9 in volume 2 of the abovementioned publication. Titled 'Tolbooth of Aberdeen', James Skene is given as the illustrator and William Penny as the engraver. Walter Scott was the founder of the Bannatyne Club, a text publication society, and James Skene was a member. The club's two volume edition of Spalding's history, drawn from three manuscript copies, was published under Skene's superintendence. John Spalding was a 17th century Aberdeen historian and clerk. His Memorialls of the trubles in Scotland and in England, ad 1624 - ad 1645 is of note as a detailed account of the impact of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in North-East Scotland. See David Stevenson's entry about Spalding on the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography for more information on his life and his written history. Spalding was commemorated in the name of three Aberdeen clubs devoted to publishing historical sources; the Spalding Club, New Spalding Club, and Third Spalding Club (collectively active between 1839-1960). In 1850-51, the first of these clubs published an improved edition of Spalding's Memorialls of the Trubles. The attributions on the version of the image shown here indicates that it was printed by Aberdeen bookseller and publisher D. Wyllie & Sons and the lithography was undertaken by Taylor & Henderson, another prominent local firm. This image looks north east and depicts the Mercat Cross, carved by Aberdeen master mason John Montgomery and erected in 1686, in the middle distance. The market cross is likely shown in use either as shops or a post office, both purposes it historically served. The cross was repaired in 1821 and moved to its present location, approximately 83 metres east, in 1827. The Tolbooth, a prison, in the centre of this image was built in 1615. Much of the building, which was developed progressively over the years, is now obscured by the Peddie & Kinnear designed Town House completed in 1874. The Tolbooth was converted into a museum which opened to the public in 1995. To the east of the Tolbooth, partially obscured by the market cross in this image, is the New Inn. This building, once the most important hostelry in Aberdeen, was demolished and replaced by the North of Scotland Bank, now the Archibald Simpson's pub, in 1840-42. The illustration otherwise shows a busy scene on Aberdeen's Castle Street. This was a centre of civic activity and important market place for the town. In the foreground are a number of pynours (an Aberdeen term for porters), then an organised craft. Some sense of life in the Castle Street/Castlegate area at the time, particularly of its more eccentric characters, can be found in the book The Aberdeen Worthies (1840) by William Bannerman.

1383

The opening ceremony was held in the new Reading Room on 5 July 1892 where a platform had been erected covered in crimson cloth and decorated with plants and flowers. The original seating plan is held in Aberdeen City Archives.

1465

Scotstown Moor, also known as Perwinnes Moss, was once part of around 230 acres of common heath land situated 4 miles to the north of Aberdeen City centre in the Bridge of Don area. From the 1830s, it was visited regularly by botany students from Aberdeen University and was regarded as the most important botanical facility in the Aberdeen area. Over 250 species of flowering plants have been recorded. The pools and mosses contained insect eating plants including sundew. Because it was a Common land, the local people had the right to cut peats and to graze animals there. In later years, drainage operations, agricultural improvements, construction of roads and housing have greatly reduced the area of heathland and bog. However, the remaining area has been protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is now managed by Aberdeen City Council.

1759

Scotstown Moor, also known as Perwinnes Moss, was once part of around 230 acres of common heath land situated 4 miles to the north of Aberdeen City centre in the Bridge of Don area. From the 1830s, it was visited regularly by botany students from Aberdeen University and was regarded as the most important botanical facility in the Aberdeen area. Over 250 species of flowering plants have been recorded. The pools and mosses contained insect eating plants including sundew. Because it was a Common land, the local people had the right to cut peats and to graze animals there. In later years, drainage operations, agricultural improvements, construction of roads and housing have greatly reduced the area of heathland and bog. However, the remaining area has been protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is now managed by Aberdeen City Council.

1910

A portrait of Dr Charles Mitchell (1820 - 22 August 1895). The Mitchell Tower and Hall of Marischal College are named after him. He was a Aberdeen born engineer and shipbuilder who founded major shipyards on the Tyne. Mitchell became a public benefactor who funded many notable buildings.

2051

A portrait of Provost William Leslie (1802-18/02/1879). He served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1869 to 1874. Leslie was born in New Deer and worked as an architect and builder. Notable projects included the construction of the North Church in Aberdeen to John Smith's designs in 1829-30 and Castle Newe in 1831 to designs by Archibald Simpson. He also worked as a railway contractor and granite merchant. More information about Leslie can be read on the Dictionary of Scottish Architects website and in Memorials of the Aldermen, Provosts, and Lord Provosts of Aberdeen, 1272-1893 (1897) by Munro.

2251

Victoria Road was one of the first streets in the development of New Torry in the late 19th century. As the population of Aberdeen rapidly increased and advances were made in fishing technology there was a need for more housing in Torry. The Torry Land Association controversially bought the land that had previously been occupied by Torry Farm and began work on what would become the main street in Torry. The first houses, Nos 104 and 110, were built by Calder Duncan and David Alexander around 1883. These villas have since however been replaced with the type of granite tenements that dominate the area. In this image the No.43 electric tram is clearly seen on its way from Guild Street to St. Fittick's Road. Torry was one of the last places in Aberdeen to get a tram line, the route being opened in 1903. Tram rosettes are still visible on the frontage of many of Torry's tenements today. The rosettes are where overhead power lines for the trams were fixed into the walls. The last tram to Torry ran in a blizzard in February 1931. In addition to gas lamps, Victoria Road was home to many notable residents over the years. These include Dr Laura Sandison who ran a clinic on the street. She was a pioneering woman doctor, politician and a mentor to Mary Esslemont. Sandison was known to residents of Torry and beyond for always riding her bicycle and in her Press and Journal obituary in 1929 she was described as "the best loved woman in Aberdeen."

2252

Victoria Road was one of the first streets in the development of New Torry in the late 19th century. As the population of Aberdeen rapidly increased and advances were made in fishing technology there was a need for more housing in Torry. The Torry Land Association controversially bought the land that had previously been occupied by Torry Farm and began work on what would become the main street in Torry. This view taken from the junction with Menzies Road shows the Victoria Bar on the corner. This is reputed to be the old site of the Torry Farm duck-pond. The first houses, Nos 104 and 110, were built by Calder Duncan and David Alexander around 1883. These villas have since however been replaced with the type of granite tenements that dominate the area. In this image the No.43 electric tram is clearly seen on its way to Guild Street from St. Fitticks Road. Torry was one of the last places in Aberdeen to get a tram line, the route being opened in 1903. Tram rosettes are still visible on the frontage of many of Torry's tenements today. The rosettes are where overhead power lines for the trams were fixed into the walls. The last tram to Torry ran in a blizzard in February 1931. One of the road's historic gas lamps can also be seen on the near right. Victoria Road was home to many notable residents over the years. These include Dr Laura Sandison who ran a clinic on the street. She was a pioneering female doctor, politician and a mentor to Mary Esslemont. Sandison was known to residents of Torry and beyond for always riding her bicycle and in her Press and Journal obituary in 1929 she was described as "the best loved woman in Aberdeen."

2275

Enthusiastic gardeners who have spent months, if not years, nurturing their plants have the opportunity to display their efforts at flower shows - usually held in August or September. These events for individuals happen all around the country and have a long history. Britain in Bloom is the national flower show for whole communities. It was the brainchild of Roy Hay, a horticultural journalist. Following a holiday in France where he admired the "Fleurissement de France", he persuaded the British Travel and Holidays Association (later the British Tourist Authority) to organise a similar competition for communities in Britain. Although the first competition in 1964 was won by Bath, Aberdeen received a "Special Mention". The city did even better in 1965 when it won the National Trophy. Although it did not win again until 1969, the city then continued its success each year until 1971. However, this achievement led to Aberdeen being debarred from the National Competition in 1972 although it still won the Scottish section. 1973 and 1974 saw Aberdeen winning the National award again, and its record 10th win was in 1998. A slogan competition was held for the 1968 campaign when the winning entry proclaimed "Aberdeen - Garden City by the Sea". In order to celebrate Britain in Bloom and Aberdeen's success in the competition we have chosen to highlight our collection of historic prize schedules for the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen's annual exhibition. The Aberdeenshire Horticultural Society was founded in March 1824 when a meeting of "Practical Gardeners" was held in the New Inn for the "purpose of forming themselves into a Society". The Earl of Aberdeen graciously agreed to be Patron of the Society. In November 1863, it was announced at the annual general meeting that HRH the Prince of Wales had now agreed to become Patron of the Society and that the Society's name was to be changed to the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen. The Society's "Prize Schedule for Exhibition" gives details of each of the classes which can be entered, with the prizes which can be won - a sum of money or a cup or medal. In 1920, there were a total of 222 classes and those who exhibited were split into one of four Divisions - professional gardeners; nurserymen and florists; amateurs and working class. The Schedules also contain the Rules of Competition, the Constitution of the Society and a list of Subscriptions and Donations received - these include names, addresses and amounts given. Our earliest copies of the booklets cover the period 1920 - 1937, although the file is incomplete. The Society celebrated its 175th anniversary in 1999. To take a closer look at these, and many other Aberdeen historic documents, visit Aberdeen Central Library.

2353

Norma Michie speaking about Dr Mary Esslemont. Including her involvement in the Aberdeen Soroptimist Club.

2476

A photograph from an Adelphi Series postcard showing a southern portion of Duthie Park. The image looks east across the park's old Lower Lake towards Arthurseat House. This lake was expanded, and made more rectangular, in the 1920s. This was undertaken to provide improved facilities for the sailing of model yachts and for skating and curling in winter. From the time of the park's creation, this earlier lake contained two spray fountains at either end. The more easterly of these is shown here. Arthurseat House dates from before the creation of the park, when the land was owned by Arthur Dingwall Fordyce. The house remained, primarily as a museum, until it was demolished in 1934. For a detailed account of the park, its history and creation, see the article 'Miss Duthie's Gift: History and Description of the Park' in the Aberdeen Journal of 26th September 1883 (published the day before the park's official opening) and the park's entry in Historic Environment Scotland's Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes - reference number GDL00166. Also shown in this picture is the park's main rockery, described in the Aberdeen Journal article as follows: "A most picturesque rockery has been built upon the brow of the rising ground to the west of Arthurseat House, and immediately above the pond we have just been describing. It is very extensive, being upwards of 100 feet in length and 66 feet broad at the widest part, and is composed of different kinds of peculiar stones, broken into all manner of fantastic fragments, which are set-up on end in groups and cone-like eminences. A footway winds through it from end to end; and as the spaces between the stones are occupied by Alpine plants and flowers of various kinds, the whole as viewed from the low ground in front presents a most charming appearance."

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."

4187

A photograph showing the interior of Aberdeen Airport during the evening. Plants and information boards are in the centre of the image. To the left can be seen a bookshop and on the right passengers waiting for their plane. This photograph was likely taken in the late 1970s or early 80s. This image comes from a collection of slides donated to Aberdeen City Libraries by Aberdeen City Council's publicity department.

4307

A photograph showing the area behind 25-29 George Street in around 1986 or 1987. This image is one of a series taken by Aberdeen City Council to record buildings prior to the redevelopment of the area and construction of the Bon Accord shopping centre. This area, located between George Street and Harriet Street, was accessible via pends on Schoolhill and Loch Street, including Donald's Close and Ross's Close. Large scale historical Ordnance Survey maps indicate there were stables and considerable housing in this area in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Notably, this was the location of Wordie's carting contractors, to which the stables would have been associated. The close was colloquially known as the "Donalder" or Wordie's Close, due to the business. Another notable business was Coffee Currs, known for its welcome aroma. (Evening Express, 21 July 1993, page 8). By the mid-20th century this area had been significantly cleared and, as shown here, was primarily used for parking. The space is now occupied by the south west corner of the Bon Accord Centre.

4331

A D. & S. K. "Ideal Series" postcard image, from their Davidson's Colourised Series, showing Johnston Gardens in the Airyhall area of Aberdeen. This photograph shows the rustic bridge that spans the pond in the centre of the gardens. The park used to belong to the Johnston House estate but was gifted to the city in 1936. This beautiful landscaped garden boasts streams, ponds, waterfalls, rockeries and the picturesque bridge seen here. There is also a children's play area and toilet facilities. The park comes alive in the spring and summer as rhododendrons, spring bulbs, heathers and alpines blossom. The ponds are full of irises and aquatic plants with visiting mallard ducks and breeding moor hens. Within the Gardens sits a memorial which commemorates the 16 men sadly lost in the Super Puma helicopter crash in the North Sea on 1st April 2009. The flight was returning from BP's Miller platform and crashed 11 nautical miles north east of Peterhead.

4332

A Belmont Series postcard image showing a number of people enjoying the Johnston Gardens in the Airyhall area of Aberdeen. The park used to belong to the Johnston House estate but was gifted to the city in 1936. This beautiful landscaped garden boasts streams, ponds, waterfalls, rockeries and a picturesque bridge. There is also a children's play area and toilet facilities. The park comes alive in the spring and summer as rhododendrons, spring bulbs, heathers and alpines blossom. The ponds are full of irises and aquatic plants with visiting mallard ducks and breeding moor hens. Within the Gardens sits a memorial which commemorates the 16 men sadly lost in the Super Puma helicopter crash in the North Sea on 1st April 2009. The flight was returning from BP's Miller platform and crashed 11 nautical miles north east of Peterhead.

4349

A photograph showing the building at 85-87 George Street in around 1986 or 1987. This image is one of a series taken by Aberdeen City Council to record buildings prior to the redevelopment of the area and construction of the Bon Accord shopping centre. This image shows the upper floors above a branch of Clydesdale, the electrical store, at 85-87 George Street. The corner of the building has a notable curved design which extends to the roof with a decorative chimney stack and dormer window. These buildings were demolished to make way for the Bon Accord Centre.

4420

A notable feature of Victoria Park is its Rhododendron Dell. This can be found to the west of the Sensory Garden. The Dell originated with a gift of plants by Francis Edmond in 1890. By the 1960s, an area of rhododendrons had become a popular and distinctive part of Victoria Park. It now incorporates dozens of varieties of rhododendron and azalea. This photograph was taken in late winter. The dell looks much more impressive in late spring and into summer. This image was taken on 28th February 2024.

4439

A photograph by Roddy Millar, taken 17/07/2024, from a series surveying the architecture of the north side of Union Street. On the left of this image part of the Aberdeen Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, also known as Alford Place Church, at 2 Alford Place is shown. The building was developed from an existing cottage in 1887 as a library and museum for Christ's College. Located across the road, Christ's College trained ministers for the Free Church. The library and museum were built to a Gothic Tudor design by Messrs Matthews & Mackenzie. Its construction was financed by Dr Francis Edmond of Kingswells. An account of the project can be found in the Aberdeen Weekly Journal of 23rd April 1887, page 5. The building was in use as a library until 1985 when it was put up for sale by the Church of Scotland (P&J, 21/05/1985, p.9). It was purchased by the Free Presbyterian Church who refurbished the building and opened it as a church in 1988 (P&J, 28/10/1988, p.3). 514-520 Union Street is a 3-storey and attic tenement. Historic Environment Scotland suggest that details of particular note include the shallow canted oriels (bay windows) through the 1st and 2nd floors, and the decorative scrolls flanking the pedimented centre bay of the attic floor. Diane Morgan in The Granite Mile (2008) suggests a notable historic occupant of 516 Union Street was a newsagent and stationer called MacKeggie. Newspaper notices indicate the business operated from 1897 to the mid-1980s. In this image the ground floor shops are occupied by Sovereign, a barber, Social Bite, a café outlet of the charity and social business tackling homelessness, and Falafel Delight, a takeaway specialising in the Middle Eastern delicacy.

4443

A photograph by Roddy Millar, taken 17/07/2024, from a series surveying the architecture of the north side of Union Street. The church towards the centre of this image is Gilcomston South. This was designed by architect William Smith (1817-1891). It was opened 1868 and served as the second, more elaborate premises of the United Free Church in Aberdeen. The first had been a more simple granite box-auditorium on Huntly Street. An illustration of this earlier building features in Gammie's Churches of Aberdeen (1909) on page 127. Historic Environment Scotland, in the entry for the building on their listed buildings portal, describe Gilcomston South as an interesting example of asymmetrical planning. This style had been advocated 30 years prior to its construction by the Camden Society and Ecclesiologists in England and continued to be advocated by the Aberdeen Ecclesiological Society into the late 19th century. The entry for the church on Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record gives much detail of its history and development over the years. Across Summer Street is 402-406 Union Street. This building has been a Pizza Express since 1998 (Evening Express, 06/06/1998, p. 13). This was the fourth branch of the successful restaurant chain to open in Scotland after venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. Before Pizza Express, a restaurant called Hobson's had occupied the building. A notable historic occupant of this site was William "Sweetie" Thomson's confectionery shop. It traded on the corner of Summer Street for more than half a century. This section of Union Street has unusual numbering. The block to the east of Gilcomston South, a branch of NatWest until 2022, is 262 Union Street. Pizza Express beyond Summer Street is 402-406 Union Street. To the west of Pizza Express is nos. 408-412. For a long time this has been the location of a branch of WHSmith. Diane Morgan explains that historically 412 was the West End Bookshop, known for actively encouraging children to read and having a lending library downstairs. Likely established in the 1930s, by the the mid-1950s, the West End Bookshop had become a branch of John Menzies, which was later owned by WHSmith (The Granite Mile, p. 175). The shop appears to have retained the West End Bookshop name until the late 1980s.