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Brig o' Balgownie
55 The Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don. Built by Richard Cementarius, the first Provost of Aberdeen 1314-1318. It was largely rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century, repaired in the 19th century and the approaches widened and buttressed in 1912. Until 1827, the ancient bridge was the only route into Aberdeen from the North. Brig o' Balgownie
68 The Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don. Engraving by P. Hazell, sculptor. Built by Richard Cementarius, the first Provost of Aberdeen 1314-1318. It was largely rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century, repaired in the 19th century and the approaches widened and buttressed in 1912. Until 1827, the ancient bridge was the only route into Aberdeen from the North. Bridge of Grandholme
160 An engraving showing Grandholm Bridge over the River Don from a drawing by James Giles. The inscription in the bottom right indicates that the engraving was printed at the Deaf and Dumb Institution.
This drawing likely looks west up the river and in the middle distance shows the Cruive Dikes, a complex of weirs and sluices across the River Don built for the purpose of fishing. Remains of these are located not far to the east of the modern Diamond Bridge.
Some information on the ownership and operation of the cruives is given in the book The Annals of Aberdeen (Volume II, 1818) by William Kennedy, on pages 207-209.
In the far distance is Grandholm Bridge. Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that the bridge was built by the firm of Leys, Masson and Company in 1810 to improve access to its Granholm Works. It was a wooden bridge with a small lodge and was known locally as the "White Bridge."
The 1810 bridge was replaced by the present steel structure, built by the Motherwell Bridge Company, in 1922. Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don
168 An engraving showing the Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don from a drawing by James Giles. The inscription in the bottom right indicates that the engraving was printed at the Deaf and Dumb Institution.
The title of this engraving describes the Brig o' Balgownie as the Bridge of Don. This is due to it serving as the main bridge over the river until the construction of the bridge known today as the Bridge of Don in 1827-30 by engineers John Smith and Thomas Telford.
This image likely looks south east along the river, towards the bridge, from between Tam's Hole and Black Nook. This was an important salmon fishing area in the past. Some information on the catching of fish on the river is given in the book The Annals of Aberdeen (Volume II, 1818) by William Kennedy, on pages 206-211. The Castle Street / Rosemount / Mile End horsedrawn omnibus
357 The Castle Street / Rosemount / Mile End horsedrawn omnibus.
This photograph looks north towards the houses where Beechgrove Terrace becomes Kings Gate. No. 27 Tram
392 Many thanks to Silver City Vault users Dr Mike Mitchell and Brian Kennedy for providing us with information on this photo. It shows the no. 27 tram on Victoria Road with the wall of Balnagask House in the background.
The Balnagask Mains farm is partially visible to the left of the tram. The St. Fittick's Road terminus of the Torry Route is located further along Victoria Road.
The female conductor indicates the photo was taken during the Great War. The tram waits to depart for Bridge Street. Brig o' Balgownie
530 The Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don. Built by Richard Cementarius, the first Provost of Aberdeen between 1314-1318. It was largely rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century, repaired in the 19th century and the approaches widened and buttressed in 1912. Until 1827, the ancient bridge was the only route into Aberdeen from the North. Footdee From Balnagask
571 A George Washington Wilson image titled Footdee From Balnagask and numbered 139.
It shows Aberdeen Harbour Mouth photographed from the Torry side of the River Dee estuary, with Fittee in the background.
Across the water, the light, single storey building with the battlement style roof is the harbour's old custom house. In 1986 chef Didier Dejean converted this building into the Silver Darling restaurant.
Correspondent Ed Fowler suggests that the temporary structure behind the custom house was used to cast concrete blocks for an extension to the North Pier between 1869-77.
The image is also interesting for showing the industrial buildings around Footdee and Aberdeen Beach before much of its later development.
Futhermore, the tall structure on the far right looks like a taller version of the sewer ventilation shaft known as Scarty's Monument. The structure must have been shortened some time after construction. Bede House, Old Aberdeen
572 This rubble-built structure at 20-22 Don Street dates from 1676, and for a short time after 1787 it housed eight Bedesmen - poor, single men, aged over 60. The house is now a private dwelling but a sheltered housing complex named Bede House Court was opened nearby in 1964. Bede House, Old Aberdeen
656 An engraving of Bede House at 18, 19 and 21 Don Street, Old Aberdeen. This three storey townhouse, with an attic, is dated 1676. It was built as the residence of Baillie William Logan.
For a short time after 1787 it housed eight Bedesmen - poor, single men, aged over 60 - hence its name. It was restored in 1965 and is now private accommodation.
In the engraving Bede House is 19 and 21 Don Street, whereas in 2019 it is numbered 20 and 22. This latter numbering is also on Ordnance Survey maps from the 1950s. Brig o' Balgownie in winter
819 Brig o' Balgownie in the wintertime around 1880. Prior to the construction of the new Bridge of Don in the 1820s the Brig o' Balgownie was the only access road from Aberdeen to the north. New Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
831 A James Valentine postcard image looking east towards the Bridge of Don in Aberdeen with the river mouth beyond.
The photograph used on this postcard likely dates from the early 20th century. The lone building at the left end of the bridge would be the Donview Hotel.
The buildings on the far left, down the path from the hotel, are likely those of Don Mills, which processed corn and barley. Aberdeen City Council's Historic Environment Record states that the mill was originally built as a distillery in 1798. Bankhead
937 A postcard image showing Bankhead from the east.
Bankhead is a residential area to the north east of Bucksburn on the south side of the River Don. It was once geographically separate, but is now a contiguous part of Aberdeen along with Bucksburn and Stoneywood to the North.
Stoneywood Church can be see on the left of this image and Bankhead Road is in the centre.
Station Road runs north from the church. The railway line can be seen on the far right. Bankhead Station once stood on the opposite end of this street from the church.
In the distance on the right, popping above the tree line, can be seen the top of Waterton School. The façade of the central part of this building is inscribed with the date of 1864.
Sclattie Quarry cannot be seen in this image but was located to the south of Bankhead. It would out of shot to the left and rear of this image. This photograph may have been taken from a quarry related structure. The Fountain at Woodside
1066 The small square containing the Woodside Fountain at the junction of Hadden Street and Don Street has often been recognised as the centre of the burgh. The fountain was used as a place for animals to stop and drink from. The fountain also was used in more of a communal sense as teenagers were often seen "walking the mat", which meant walking from the fountain to the old tramway terminus at and back again. Settmaker at Persley Quarry
1071 The Aberdeen area had many granite quarries, and there was a need for men who had the skill to reduce huge blocks of granite into manageable pieces by chipping it with a variety of hammers, and chisels to produce the required shape and size. In this 1920's photograph we see a settmaker at Persley Quarry on the north side of the River Don in Aberdeen, at his wooden shelter or 'skaithie'. These shelters provided some sort of wind break for these men who had to sit on blocks of granite patiently working on the hard stone. Settmakers made cassies for roads and Aberdeen setts were used to pave streets in London. On his left is a tripod structure which acted like a small crane to lift the bigger stones into position. Note the lack of protective safety equipment apart from some extra padding on his knees. Scotstown Moor looking northwards from Silverburn
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. 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." Grandholm Mills
1715 The dinner hour, workers crossing the bridge over the River Don.
The history of the mills in Woodside has gone through prosperous and bad times with several being closed in the mid-1800s and subsequently reopened towards the end of the century. The success especially of the paper and cloth mills of the area has provided work for many generations of Woodsiders.
A linen and cloth factory moved to the Grandholme mills site in mid-18th century from Gordon Mills and was taken over by James and John Crombie in 1859. J&J Crombie went on to produce the famous worldwide Crombie cloth at the Grandholme Mill, leading to the long association between Woodside and the fabric. The mill at one point employed up to 3000 people.
J&J Crombie were included on a list of government suppliers and one tenth of all coats worn by British officers of the First World War were made with the Crombie cloth. By World War II 467 miles of the cloth was being produced at the Grandholme mill per year.
By 1960 Grandholm was the largest supplier of tweed in the UK and also produced silk, wool, cashmere and yarns. Sadly the business has now been moved away from the Woodside area to the Borders.
Scotstown Moor and Moss - looking westwards from Dubford
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. Cotton Croft
1782 This photograph looks north on Clifton Road in Woodside, Aberdeen. The buildings on the left of the image were known as Cotton Croft. They are visible on the first Ordnance Survey maps of 1869 (Aberdeen Sheet LXXV.6). They were roughly located across the road from where Hilton Avenue now joins Clifton Road.
On 8th January 1914 Robert Stewart, resident of Cotton Croft, was convicted at Aberdeen Court of taking an "unclean salmon" from the River Don below Grandholm Mills. He was admonished and dismissed on account of his youth (Aberdeen Daily Journal, 09/01/1914, p.3).
In February 1916 the Public Health Committee of Aberdeen closed the cottage at Cotton Croft as unfit for habitation (Aberdeen Daily Journal, 17/02/1916 p.2).
The buildings are still present on the OS maps of 1955 (NJ9208SE) and this is likely the broad period from which this images dates. The map also shows the two large trees and the slightly lower housing on the right. The latter is the start of the more recently constructed Greenmore Gardens.
The Cotton Croft buildings were eventually demolished and replaced with modern housing. The Aberdeenshire Canal
1789 This drawing shows a barge being pulled by two horses along the Aberdeenshire Canal, with the twin spires of St. Machar Cathedral in the background.
The Aberdeenshire Canal was opened in 1805 and ran for 18 miles from Aberdeen to Port Elphinstone, near Inverurie. It was first proposed in 1795 by various landed proprietors as a means of providing better transport connections for the rural interior of Aberdeenshire.
The new waterway was fed by the River Don and various streams and springs. Barges transported goods and fly boats or gig boats carried passengers.
In 1840, the goods transported included nearly 4000 tons of lime, 5000 tons of coal, 1124 tons of meal, 54 tons of salt, 110 tons of wood, 51 tons of granite, 43 tons of livestock and 8 tons of whisky. Passenger traffic was catered for by two iron boats, which made the trip twice a day in summer and once a day in winter. It cost 2 shillings (10p.) for the full journey or 2d. (about a half pence) per mile.
As a result of the number of locks to be negotiated at the Aberdeen end, passengers disembarked at the Boathouse at Kittybrewster, having completed the journey in 2 and a half hours. Goods traffic was handled by various barges, some of which belonged to the canal company. It took them 10-14 hours to complete their passage to Aberdeen Harbour. There were facilities for changing the horses at Dyce and Kintore.
In his book The Annals of Woodside and Newhills Patrick Morgan remarks that the canal "was a great convenience to the inhabitants, and a luxury to the boys for bathing in summer and skating in winter." There is no mention of girls using the canal for leisure purposes - perhaps they were required to stay at home and help with housework instead.
The canal increased the prosperity of the area that it served but it was never a huge financial success for its owners. Also it was about to be overtaken by a much speedier rival. Its demise as in other parts of the country was largely brought about by the coming of the railways. The Aberdeenshire Canal was bought over by the Great North of Scotland Railway and finally closed in 1854. The company gave £1000 as compensation for depriving the inhabitants of Woodside of the privilege of the Canal and to assist in obtaining a supply of water from other sources.
There is very little physical evidence to remind us that the Aberdeenshire Canal ever existed. However there is one quite substantial remnant which lies close to Great Northern Road - Warrack's Bridge was one of the original canal bridges and looking over the west side of the bridge the curve of the canal bed can clearly be seen.
The vessel shown in this image is likely an iron gig boat carrying passengers. The Brig o' Balgownie
1944 The Brig o' Balgownie over the River Don. Built by Richard Cementarius, the first Provost of Aberdeen between 1314-1318. It was largely rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century, repaired in the 19th century and the approaches widened and buttressed in 1912. Until 1827, the ancient bridge was the only route into Aberdeen from the North. Sir Alexander Lyon
2035 A portrait of Sir Alexander Lyon (1850-1926) in Lord Lieutenant's uniform. Alexander Lyon served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1905-1908. He died 26th April 1926 at his residence on Queen's Road, Aberdeen.
The Provost made the arrangements for the visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra to Aberdeen in September 1906 for the opening of the extension of Marischal College. He was knighted during this royal visit. Lyon was also involved in the beach esplanade between the Rivers Dee and Don.
He held many public posts including; Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Aberdeen, a Justice of the Peace, president of the Aberdeen Territorial Army Association, a prominent office bearer in the Aberdeen Seven Incorporated Trades, a member of the West United Free Church, a member of the Cairngorm Club and the director of a number of important local businesses.
In August 1925 Alexander and Lady Lyon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Alexander Lyon
2056 A portrait of Sir Alexander Lyon (1850-1926). Alexander Lyon served as Provost of Aberdeen from 1905-1908. He died 26th April 1926 at his residence on Queen's Road, Aberdeen.
The Provost made the arrangements for the visit of King Edward and Queen Alexandra to Aberdeen in September 1906 for the opening of the extension of Marischal College. He was knighted during this royal visit. Lyon was also involved in the beach esplanade between the Rivers Dee and Don.
He held many public posts including; Deputy Lieutenant of the City and County of Aberdeen, a Justice of the Peace, president of the Aberdeen Territorial Army Association, a prominent office bearer in the Aberdeen Seven Incorporated Trades, a member of the West United Free Church, a member of the Cairngorm Club and the director of a number of important local businesses.
In August 1925 Alexander and Lady Lyon celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. |