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Rob Roy statue number 2, Culter
960 The statue of Rob Roy at Culter - number 2, 1850-1926. A Rob Roy figure has stood on this rocky ledge high above the Leuchar Burn just before it reached Culter Paper Mills for around 150 years. It has become a tourist attraction for those travelling on the North Deeside Road at Peterculter, about 8 miles from Aberdeen. However, there is no historical evidence to support the legend that Rob Roy MacGregor left the gorge to escape his pursuers. The original figure is supposed to have been a figurehead from a Peterhead whaling ship and it was replaced in about 1865 with the carved wooden stature seen here. It apparently suffered damage before the First World War when local Territorial soldiers practised their firing skills on it. However, by 1925, the figure was in a poor state due to the effects of time and weather. A committee was appointed to secure a new stature and an Aberdeen woodcutter, David Graham, created a figure from a nine foot high block of Quebec yellow pine. It was unveiled on 3 July 1926. This figure lasted until 1991, when it had to be replaced again after being damaged by vandals. Culter War Memorial
994 A photograph showing the unveiling of a new panel at Culter War Memorial on Sunday 19th June 1949.
The article 'Tribute to War Dead of Culter' from the Press & Journal of 20th June 1949, page 6, describes the ceremony as follows:
"A panel containing the names of 29 men from the parish who lost their lives in the recent war was unveiled at Culter War Memorial yesterday.
"Relatives of the fallen and representatives of the Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, Brownies, and the Territorial Army were grouped round the memorial as Mrs Tough, Hillside Road, Culter, who lost two sons in the war, unveiled the tablet.
"The panel was dedicated by the Rev. J. R. Dey, Kelman Memorial Church, who, along with the Rev. T. W. Howie, St Peter's Church, conducted the service"
Culter War Memorial is a tapering, crenelated tower located on a hillock to the west of the village. It is accessed by a footpath that leaves North Deeside Road not far beyond the bridge over the Culter Burn.
Correspondent Brian Coutts has been in touch to inform us that one of the representatives of the Brownies present at the ceremony was Elizabeth McNab.
The abovementioned sons of Mrs Jane Tough of Hillside Road were Driver Frank Tough, Royal Corps of Signals, formerly an employee of Culter Paper Mills, who was killed by enemy action in the Middle East on 24th September 1942, aged 24, and Private Ernest "Ernie" Tough, 2nd Gordons, who died on 5th October 1943, aged 26, while a prisoner-of-war in Thailand. (Source: Press & Journal, 26th September 1946, page 3.)
The former, Frank Tough, is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial in Egypt and Ernest is buried Thanbyuzayat War Cemetery in Myanmar. (Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.) Cults Railway Station
1031 Cults Railway Station, 1920 - Cults was the first main station on the Deeside Line between Aberdeen and Ballater, at 3 and five-eighths miles from Aberdeen.
The line between Aberdeen and Banchory was opened in 1853 and extended to Aboyne and later to Ballater by 1866.
The double line, as seen here, was opened in 1884 and returned to single line in 1951.
This view, from about 1920, shows the stationmaster, Peter Walker, his staff and a number of passengers awaiting the imminent arrival of a train.
In 1894, suburban trains, "subbies", were introduced between Aberdeen and Culter, calling at 8 intermediate stations and covering the 7 miles in just over 20 minutes. This meant that up to 30 trains would be calling at Cults every day.
The "subbies" ceased on 5 April 1937 because of competition from buses. The Deeside Line closed to passenger traffic on 28 February 1966, after the Beeching Report of 1963. Goods traffic continued for a few more months but the final train ran on the line on 30 December 1966.
Cults Station was later occupied by a joinery company. Wellwood, Pitfodels
1063 This beautiful mansion house in its 15 acre grounds is situated about 3 miles from Aberdeen and is set back from the North Deeside Road at Pitfodels. It was the home of George Davidson of G &W Davidson, merchants, rope and twine manufacturers but was purchased by Aberdeen Royal Mental Asylum in August 1930 and opened as a private nursing home for the treatment of early nervous and mental disorders. In 1964, it became part of the neighbouring Woodlands Home providing accommodation and care for mentally handicapped adults who might be successful in finding employment in the community. It became a day centre for adults with physical or learning difficulties, but planning permission for housing was granted in 2003. Original Guild Street Station
2616 The original Guild Street Station had two platforms to accommodate four services to the south and three to Deeside. The goods station is to the right.
In 1854 The Great North of Scotland Railway after years of struggle to raise capital opened between Kittybrewster and Huntly; from 1858 this became part of a through route to Inverness. In April 1856 it extended passenger services from Kittybrewster to Waterloo Quay using a line built on the bed of the old Aberdeenshire Canal.
Connecting the two Aberdeen termini, which were about a half mile apart, were railway tracks laid along the quayside and suitable for horse-haulage only. Diesel trains, ca 1970
2644 The British Railways Modernisation Plan of 1955 saw steam replaced by diesel trains by 1968. An experimental Battery Railcar operated on the Deeside line from 1958 to 1962. It is only in the 21st century that battery and hybrid technology is again being taken seriously. Point Law
3571 Facing north east, this high shot overlooks Point Law from the rooftops of Old Torry. The photograph may have been taken from the top of the more westerly of the two Leading Lighthouses.
The fish curing sheds and sailing fishing boats along Point Law are visible in the mid distance.
In the far line of sight lies Porca Quay and York Street. The chimneys of works to the rear of York Street let smoke into the foggy sky.
Two harbour paddle tugs can seen moored at Pocra Quay. Another is active in the tidal harbour.
An unusual bridge can be seen spanning the northern end of Pocra Quay. This was likely used by the cattle sheds located there in the early 20th century to move livestock between buildings while avoiding the road below.
Reference to the "cattle wharf" and abovementioned bridge can be found in an Aberdeen Journal article 'Improvements at Pocra Pier' from 3rd March 1892, page 4.
The cattle sheds directly on Pocra Jetty and the bridge have been removed by the time of the large scale Ordnance Survey map revised to 1923.
Pocra Jetty was the site of Pontoon Dock no. 3, installed in around 1911. This photograph pre-dates its installation, giving some indication of when it was taken.
The lack of human figures suggest a quiet day. This photograph may have been taken in the early morning. Treasure 30: G M Fraser Local History Lectures to Children - Selection of Tickets
203 Our treasure from the Library archive reflects the policy of the Library in the early 20th century and very much as it is today - "to get closely into touch with the children of the community" (Library Annual report 1913/14).
G M Fraser delivered a series of free local history lectures (in a series of 4) to children in the Juvenile Department every winter from 1914 - until the last one in February 1936. However there was one exception! After his first lecture in November 1928 he slipped on ice and broke 3 ribs so the remaining 3 winter lectures were cancelled.
Topics for the lectures included Historical buildings, Streets of Aberdeen, Place names, Battlefields, Streams and Lochs, Hill Forts, School Names and many more.
Tickets for the lectures were distributed with the co-operation of the Elementary Schools and each lecture was attended by up to 300 schoolchildren.
The earliest ticket we have in our collection is for the final lecture of the first series, "Historic Street Names in Aberdeen" on 11 February 1915, seen on display with a selection of others. The very first lecture was given on 6 November 1914 "An Evening in Historical Aberdeen" with lantern illustrations, followed by, The Story of the Castlegate and The Friars in Aberdeen.
Children were invited to write an essay on the subject of each lecture and local history books such as "The Old Deeside Road" were awarded as prizes.
The lectures were described as "a delightful experience for everyone concerned" and "the subsequent essays sent in were a pleasure to read". To ensure blind people were included, from 1916 the lectures were delivered separately at the Asylum for the Blind at their social evenings and we are told "heckling" the lecturer was encouraged!
The opening of the line to Ferryhill in 1850
358 The Aberdeen Railway which connected the city by rail with the south for the first time had opened a station at Ferryhill just north of the River Dee in 1850, being joined there by the Deeside Railway from Banchory three years later. In 1854 the line was extended the final 600 yards to a terminus on Guild Street on a site now occupied by the Union Square Shopping Centre.
This lithograph was published in The Illustrated London News. It depicts the opening of the
line to Ferryhill in 1850. The temporary station building seems very substantial. The engine shed on the left still survives.
The Aberdeen Railway soon amalgamated with the Scottish Midland Junction Railway, which connected it with Perth, to become the Scottish North-Eastern Railway. In turn the SNER was absorbed by the Caledonian Railway in 1866. To the Independent Electors and Friends of the Country, the Constitution, and the Queen
492 This broadside from 2nd August 1837 implores those eligible to vote for William Gordon (1784-1858) in the upcoming General Election.
It suggests that Gordon's opponent, Thomas Burnett, was attempting to mislead the electorate. Gordon, a Conservative, held his Aberdeenshire seat from 1820 to 1854. The broadside informs the electorate that Gordon is a friend of farmers because he supports the Corn Laws.
In parliament, Gordon advocated for separate banking systems for England and Scotland. He also worked to prevent illicit distillation and increase legal distillery trades. Gordon was Lord of the Admiralty, chief of the British Navy, from 1841 to 1846.
The broadside was printed on a Wednesday. The Monday preceding, the nominations for candidates had been opened. When Gordon was nominated, 'he was heartily hissed' and had unpleasantries expressed towards him.
Sir Thomas Burnett (1778-1849), 8th Baronet of Leys, was the Whig candidate and was so well received by the crowds at the nominations that proceedings were delayed for several minutes. (London Courier and Evening Gazette, 4th August 1837, p. 3). Burnett's obituary in the Aberdeen Herald (3rd March 1849, p. 3) indicates that he was a long-standing advocate of parliamentary reform. In the election, Burnett received 807 votes to Gordon's 1,220. (Perthshire Courier, 10th August 1837).
In the text, Gordon's support of Hanover refers to his support of Queen Victoria's familial line, which traces itself to Hanover. Gordon accuses Burnett of wanting to rid Britain of Hanoverians while professing to support the Queen. The Aberdeen Herald was dismayed at the news of Burnett's defeat in the election over the issue (London Courier, 8th August 1837, p. 3).
This broadside was printed by R. King of Peterhead.
Other broadsides referring to Gordon can be found here. Inhabitants' Petition
507 This broadside, entitled 'Defence of the Links. Inhabitants' Peition' was issue by J. Urquhart, of the Lemon Tree on 23rd June 1856. It refers to a dispute between two rival railway company directors, James Adam and John Duncan.
Duncan desired to create an Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh railway line, whilst Adam wanted a Formartine and Buchan line. The broadside dates to 1856, a year of fierce debates over the future of the railways. Permission was only granted for the construction of a line in 1858, and was awarded to Adam.
Duncan's line was particularly controversial for it desired to be built into the area known as the Links. Duncan had tried to begin construction before the inhabitants of the Links had discussed the issue. This caused uproar amongst the Links' inhabitants, particularly as Duncan was required to follow parliament's say on the matter before beginning construction himself. This broadside details the matter. Duncan is elsewhere denounced, here, for providing false information about the return value of his project for investors. This broadside defends the way in which attendees of a committee meeting were listed in a petition. This had been criticised by the Herald, as can be seen in this broadside. Links Encroachment
509 This broadside, entitled 'Links Encroachment' and a reprint of the 21st June 1856 edition of the Aberdeen Herald, refers to a dispute between two rival railway company directors, James Adam and John Duncan. Duncan desired to create an Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh railway line, whilst Adam wanted a Formartine and Buchan line. The broadside dates to 1856, a year of fierce debates over the future of the railways. Permission was only granted for the construction of a line in 1858, and was awarded to Adam.
Duncan's line was particularly controversial for it desired to be built into the area known as the Links. Duncan had tried to begin construction before the inhabitants of the Links had discussed the issue. This caused uproar amongst the Links' inhabitants, particularly as Duncan was required to follow parliament's say on the matter before beginning construction himself. This broadside details the matter. Duncan is elsewhere denounced, here, for providing false information about the return value of his project for investors. This broadside lists attendees of a committee in support of Duncan's construction plans. It criticises Duncan's party for enlarging the real number of attendees at the meeting. |