BUCKSBURN AND ABERDEEN

Bankhead and Bucksburn serve the farming community and also the Stoneywood and Maggiemoss paper mills on the river Don. Bankhead was once the terminus of the Aberdeen Suburban Tram service. In spite of over 60 years since closure two sections of rail remain behind a Chinese Take-Away restaurant, on which stood the old tram depot, next to Bankhead Church.

Bucksburn was also a station on the mainline, but no more. When I started on the railway, in 1963, we had a turn on the yard shunter (switcher), which also served the sidings at Twin Spires Creamery. Above Bucksburn village was the Dancing Cairns granite Quarry. It was over 200ft deep. As children we used to go and play in and around the quarry, catching Tadpoles, Frogs, Newts and Sticklebacks. It has now been filled in and on the surface today is a magnificent Golf course, which overlooks Dyce Airport.

Halfway down one of the gravel roads I recall seeing narrow guage tracks, and trucks, which let into a 'Chuckie' making plant. Chuckies being a local word for the small stones crushed to be mixed with tar, for making road surfaces.

On this level today there stands a large caravan & challet Park, where my oldest brother lives, and where I stay when in Aberdeen. It all seems a bit strange seeing these changes.

You leave Bucksburn on Auchmill Road. The countryside on the left is overlooking Persley Den, which also had three granite Quarries and where, when small, we would go for picnics and berry picking during the School holidays. Again the quarries are no more, all filled in and a dual carriage way, runs through the whole area on what was a pleasant country walk with the bridge crossing the river Don. Even this pretty little granite built bridge has been by-passed and hidden in the shadow of new double-width one where the roar of cars and lorries have killed the peace and quiet of the once lovely countryside.

As youngsters we would get hold of an old bike wheel, car or van tyre, which we called a "Gird". With a piece of stick, to push and guide them would run alongside, all the way from home down to Persley Den. One loon (lad) lost his "Gird" when it ran down the riverbank. He was crying his heart out, complaining "I'll h'iv ti' wak' hame now".

Road at the Corner of Scatterburn, which was the tram terminus after the Suburban line was closed. The housing you see to your right is where I was born and brought up and first went to School.

In the days of the trams Great Northern Road was still cobbled with the tramlines down the middle. There were granite houses on both sides of the road all the way into town. Today it is a dual carriageway with many of the old houses gone, sometimes replaced by modern versions but other places left empty and scarred. There was the Blue Star Garage (At the bottom of Anderson Drive), where we used to get the accumulator charged up for the radio. The Co-op and Strathdee bakery and grocery shops. "Bill" the Barbers where I got all my haircuts until I was 20. A little further on, Bill Dunns' where we got our sweets, on a Sunday, using our ration books, and once a month was allowed an extra coupon. Across the road, The White Horse Bar and Cheyne's Fish Shop and Reception Rooms, which had been one of the earliest cinemas in Aberdeen.

Further on into Woodside proper. The Royal Bar and the Silver Grill Chip shop. Across the road was the Anderson's milk dairy where they still had a horse and cart doing the rounds. A short walk on was the "Little Wonder" a small shop run by, the late Andy McKissock. It sold everything most locals were likely to run out of and require without need to go into town. Immediately walking through the door you were greeted with a mixture of aromas which you could be anything from chocolate to mint sweets, and even firelighters etc. In front of you the tiny counter would be heaped with sweets, biscuits and packaged goods, and through a tiny hatch little bigger than his own head would sit "Andy", with as many more goods all around and behind him. If what you required wasn't in sight he would fetch it immediately, often without having to leave his seat. He knew where everything was and nothing was too much trouble for him and you were greeted as if you were in any large department store. Only cheeky children ever annoyed him.

Andy was a local character and became an elder of the town.

I met Andy on South Anderson Drive one evening, while visiting Aberdeen and had been away a few years yet he remembered me and we spent a while talking about the changes the oil business had brought and the destruction of many well-known buildings and landmarks in Woodside. By this time he had been retired some while.

Past Station Road (Woodside Station, now no more) and a number of small shops, one where I bought most of my first E.P. & L.P. records and also my very first 'electric' record player. I still have all these records which do get played from time to time and are still in reasonable playing condition.

On the opposite side of the road is empty ground where once stood the Army cadet buildings. Both my brothers belonged to this unit and I also joined when I was 14, for a short spell. Behind this building was the playgrounds where we watch the trains as they stopped at the signal alongside and where the train crews would get down to telephone the signalman at Kittybrewster. Who would have thought I would be doing that job myself, years later! I had no interest in trains then. The playground is still there but the signal went when the line between Aberdeen and Dyce was singled and became one section.

Past Woodside Church and Police station and the 'Big' Northern Co-op which, we used until the one at Scatterburn was built in the 50's. I still recall my mother's "Divi" number "44660". The Fountain is on a sweeping curve with a number of shops. The Fountain stood in the center of the road with the junction of Don Street. It went years ago, but a replica now stands in a new housing estate, opposite, as a reminder. There was a crossover point here where trams serving Woodside only, turned back for the town. Don Street was also a local station served by the 'Subbies'.

Around the corner to Tanfield, where the Tram Depot stood until it was demolished some years back it was interesting to note the holes in the thick granite walls left by shells which struck the building during the war. On the right is the housing estate where Footballer Dennis Law was born and who went to the same school as myself when I went to Powis Junior Secondary at the age of thirteen.

On past Barron Street and the small group, of shops where we used to drop off the tram, one stop short, to buy some 'Sookers or Gob Stoppers' before walking (running usually) on to School. I still recall one incident when having bought a penny 'chew', while in class I decided to try my luck and enjoy the chew during lessons. All went well but after a few moments I was aware of something gritty in my mouth and on spitting the chew into my hand, I discovered that a complete 'Hornet' had been boiled in the candy. I couldn't let it be known and so slid it into my jacket pocket where it remained, for how long I can't recall as I don't remember ever seeing it again!

Immediately across from the shops was the house our family doctor Dr. Birnnie held his reception.

Around the top of St. Machars Drive (tram stop for school) into Kittybrewster. St. Machars Drive is a short cut to Old Aberdeen and the main road north to Peterhead and Fraserburgh. Powis School is a fine granite building, part way down St. Machars Drive and built around 1941 as a Junior Secondary school. Today it is known as Powis Academy.

Next. Past the Granite tenement houses and Kittybrewster School. The huge Coaling tower and yard at Kittybrewster Locomotive Depot lay behind (where I started on the railway and is sadly now no more). It was interesting watching coal wagons being raised around 50 feet to the top of the storage hoppers and tipped over to empty their contents, then slowly descend again.

The coal tower holds an amusing, if potentially dangerous situation while working at Kittybrewster. One evening a workmate sat chatting in the mess room when he told me that he kept Pigeons and often caught a stray 'tame' pigeon in and around the tower. At this time with full dieselisation of the depot the coal, tower was little used and three parts empty. As little was happening we decided to investigate and climb to the metal staircase up the outside, to the top of the hoppers. It was very dark and eerie looking down into the pitch black hoppers, but I was surprised when my work mate pointed out a rope dangling down from the center of the head beam and climbed over to it and started descending into the darkness. He said it was all right as he had done it many times. After a few moments of mumbled sounds I gathered there was no pigeons and he started to climb back up. It soon became clear that he didn't have the strength to make it and got stuck half way a number of times. The rope was too far for me to even try getting to it and try pulling him up. I had no choice but to explain that I would need to get some help. It was a little way to the depot. By the time I found some help it must have been a good 20 minutes since leaving him alone in the hopper. Luckily two drivers came to his aid and pulled him back up. However we didn't get away without a good telling off from them and next day from the Foreman too.

The Great Northern Hotel (at the junction with Clifton Road) is another fine granite building with a long sweeping curved front with a revolving door entrance. It was closed in the 70's and used as student homes but it is nice to see it returned to its former glory).

The small shopping center, which was one my favourite cinemas, the Astoria, where I enjoyed listening to the magnificent Compton Organ, first played by Bobby Pagan (40's) and in later years by George Blackmore. The organ was a fine instrument, which had an ever-changing array of lights to suit the mood of the music. George, who came from Chatham was often accompanied by his wife, who was a fine soprano. George's signature tune was "A Hundred Pipers". Sadly George passed away in 1994, aged 73.

On the demolition of the Astoria, the organ was housed in the main assembly hall at Powis School where it continued to give excellent service, but sadly it was destroyed in a fire, started by a pupil with a grievance against the school. I don't expect, to this day, he has ever considered the great loss he made to Aberdeen's cinema history. I have happy memories of the organ both when able to afford to go to the pictures, and other times when I would sit by the side exit doorway and listen to the concert from there, having studied the days programme times.

On past Kittybrewster Mart and Hotel and bar (where many railway staff met), then the Potatoe Distribution Center which was originally a milk distribution depot. Around the left-hand curve and over the railway bridge by Kittybrewster Station (only the platform edges remain) and around the curve past the junction of Bedford Road to the Causewayend road junction and the start of George Street. Locally, called "Split the Winds", with its lovely granite church in the "V" of the roads. It is no longer a church and is used by some business company.

On the left (from Bedford Road) the branch from Kittybrewster to the Docks, which was once the canal that the railway is now built on.

George Street was nearly a mile long and ending in the City center at the junction of St. Nicholas Street, Union Street and Market Street, and which was also the terminus for the Woodside trams.

George Street is a mixture of three story tenements, shops, bars and small industries including stone and iron masons. At the junction with Hutchion Street was the huge Broadford Works, a Jute mill that employed thousands. Its high red-bricked chimney remains a city landmark. However, today, Broadford works is now a huge block of flats with expensive penthouses on the top, with typical 'American' style security staff. Such is change.

Along with were the Grand Central and City Cinemas. The "Grandie" is long gone and re-built as a tenement flat. The last film I saw there was Walt Disney's Jungle Book, back in the 70's. The City Cinema remains as such, being the first to be turned into a Bowling Alley in the 60's. It was the largest cinema in the City with two entrances. However much of the rear of the building has now been demolished and at present I don't know what will take its place.

Just beyond here is where George Street became St. Nicholas Street, at the junction with Schoolhill. George Street terminates here having been cut short by the new St. Nicholas Shopping Center. Very Grand, but what a way to treat a town. It has killed the heart of the main shopping center and destroyed some of the most atmospheric buildings in the city.

The traffic now has to turn left at what was once Loch Street (where my grand parents lived) and take a long detour into Broad street and into Union Street where the traffic is shoe-horned into a mess of traffic, as everyone tries to make their way through the city.

Thankfully, Union Street hasn't been damaged and remains one of the grandest highways in Scotland. A mile long and virtually completely built on arches. It starts at the Castle Gate and ends a mile north at the junctions of Queen's Road and Holburn Street. The main feature is the old Town House, with its fine clock tower, Law Courts, Tollbooth and Bank (The Royal Bank of Scotland). They are matched equally with the Salvation Army Citadel building and tower with the square of granite built houses and shops blending in perfectly with the overall design. An open market is held in the square every Friday.

Once a busy junction of trams then buses it is now a pedestrian only area. The centerpiece the "Merket Cross" which is one of the finest examples of 12 century market crosses.

Across from the Tollbooth stands the "Mannie in the Green" a drinking fountain with a granite plinth and a lead statue on top. It once stood in the "Green" which before Union Street was built, was actually the main north-south highway through the City. The statue was removed to its original Union Street sight in the 80's. It makes a nice photograph with the Town House buildings as a Background.

From the Castle Gate (Union Street) two other roads branch off. Kings Street, which takes traffic to Peterhead and Fraserburgh on the north east coast. The other road goes to the beach and boulevard. These shall be covered later.

Going south along Union Street, past the Town House and the "Mannie" the grand boulevard of shops and houses remain a feature.

The opening to the Cannon Multi Screen cinema built in 1955 and opened by Richard Todd, as the Regal. A fine cinema indeed but sadly now one of those modern TV-sized `screen` complexes.

The first film shown was "The Knights of the Round Table" starring Robert Taylor. Followed by a 3-D version of Dial M for Murder starring Ray Milland. Saturday mornings saw the "ABC Minors" enjoying their weekly diet of Serials and comedy films.

Sadly, too this grand old cinema has now closed its doors in 1998, thanks to a modern multi-screen cinema complex having been built at the Beach Boulevard. However, today there stands a brand new cinema complex called the 'Lighthouse'. Not the massive granite building of old but a modern brick and glass building that isn't attractive but quite light and airy.

At the corner of St. Nicholas Street and Market Street more fine granite buildings, which opened up on Market Street with a view past the harbour to Torry. A statue of Queen Victoria stood in one corner. As mentioned St. Nicholas Street is now blanked off by the new shopping Mall. It was a narrow bustling street with a number of tailor and jewelry shops, which included the 50 Shilling Tailors, Alexanders and Burtons.

The Woodside trams terminated here though there was a junction onto Union Street used for specials to the sea beach or going to King Street Depot for servicing. If you look carefully you can still see some of the wall fittings that held up the tram wires. e. g. on the old "Burtons" (the tailors of taste) building. I never witnessed a tram using the Union Street connection however a couple of years back I purchased a video called "Aberdeen Trams" by on-line Video in which there is a fine B&W section showing tram No. 108 making the double reverse move. Having come from the Castlegate and crossing over the reverse connection, outside the Caledonian Hotel, back onto the 'right' road, towards the Castlegate again, then reversing against the traffic again to finally turn into St. Nicholas Street for a run out to Woodside. A classic piece of cine film which includes an atmospheric touch with the steam of a train passing under Union Street bridge, while heading north having just left the station.

Past what was once "BIG" Woolworths, a four story building. On the opposite side, the remains of what used to be the Gloucester hotel. It Still a fine granite building. Next to that a stairway which led down to Back Wynd, off St. Nicholas Street and under Union Street into the "Green".

Still on the right, next to the stairway is the fine Clock Spire of 12th century, St. Nicholas Kirk, with its old graveyard where on fine days people wander, sit, chat and eat, during their lunch or shopping breaks. The Union Street front is graced with a very fine granite facade, built in 1829.

Next to the churchyard is the building of the old Queen's Cinema, now a nightclub. I worked here on holiday cover when I was employed at the Majestic cinema, as a trainee projectionist, back in 1957. The Chief projectionist was John Taylor, who was a most kindly chap always willing to help a new trainee with quiet guidance. John's daughter, was a local beauty queen.

Two amusing memories of working at the Queens were, during one showing of the popular film "Tammy", starring Debbie Reynolds. Being an old cinema the projectors had gone through various conversions from silent days to sound, and was now able to show the new "Cinemascope" films, albeit, on to a very small screen, compared to the Majestic's massive 'Panorama' screen. When changing to the cinemascope format, the long 'Voramorph' lens had to be shoved out of the projection room window, into the auditorium, then brought back into place and screwed onto the projector. Fine realigning took place during the first moments of the opening titles and on this occasion, while Debbie sang the title song, I noticed a black edge to the right of the screen and gingerly tapped the handle to move it to the side a fraction but it didn't budge. I gave it a stronger nudge and the whole lens turned a half circle, and there was the cinemascope picture running from ceiling to the floor. I quickly brought it back to the straight and with a sigh of relief as the picture fully filled the screen. As we never received a single complaint I couldn't quite think what the audience had thought of it or if there had been any sore necks from suddenly following the picture on its sudden move to the vertical and, back again.

The second incident happened on a Saturday afternoon screening during an old B&W American Gangster film, who's title I forget. John had an afternoon off and the 'second` 'projectionist and myself were in charge. He too decided to have an easy day and left me to operate the projectors. Everything went well and I felt pleased with myself on handling the changeovers correctly.

During the film one character, a taxi driver, was murdered by the mobsters, and was out of the story. However soon afterwards the second projectionist decided to return and instead of asking me which reel was due to be laced into the other projector, he took it upon himself to lace the projector up on his own. I left him to it and prepared for the next change over ... perfect!

Immediately after the change he handed the working projector back to me and I trimmed the carbons and checked on the focusing. There on the screen was the 'dead' taxi driver. I realised what had happened and called to the second to fetch the correct reel and get it laced up ready for an immediate change over. Altogether there had been 3-4 minutes of repeated film, but in spite of this and the appearing and disappearing taxi driver, again, we received no complaints. This led me to wonder what sort of audience patronised the "Queen's" Cinema. It was hard work trying to catch up the 3-4 minutes so that the final showing concluded in time for people to catch their last buses home.

On the opposite side of the road and next to the railway bridge was Trinity Buildings now turned into another of these bleak shopping Malls. Union Street railway bridge is a fine single-arch structure with numerous black statues of 'cats' every so far along. There were fine views from the bridge. However in 1964 the south side was filled in, over the railway, with a group of shops. The cat statues on the south side having been removed can be seen at the Winter Gardens in the Duthie Park (Ferryhill).

The view north is still grand as you look over the railway with Union Terrace Gardens and the fine buildings of His Majesty's Theatre, the Central Library and St. Pauls Church, with the fine statue of William Wallace standing proud on the opposite side of the road. However, looking down on the derelict remains of the turntable and the single track, where once six lines and a large gantry of semifore signals made an impressive sight, gives a clear indication of the drastic decline of the railway over the past 30 odd years.

The completion of the theatre had the local parishioners claim "Aberdeen now has the set of three! Education, Salvation and Damnation"!

The Denburn ran down this valley and was superseded by the railway. It still runs in pipes and enters the harbour between the end of the goods yard and under Market Street.. But now even the railway, which at this point had a magnificent gantry of semifore signals over a number of tracks, with a turntable in the corner next to the park, has been drastically reduced to a mere single line and shoe-horned by a new highway.

Many town people fought against this road, but of course, lost against the massive Road Lobby and big business. Thankfully the furor made the road designers take note and in fact, apart from the fact that there was no need for the roadway in the first place, it still looks a grand spot to view from Union Bridge.

On the eastside of the bridge just beyond the new shops a C&A's was built in 1958, on the sight of the G.N.S's Palace Hotel, which burned down in 1941 and remained an empty space until then. The Palace had been a grand affair, built in granite with fancy facings and turrets. It was linked directly to the railway station.

This opens up to the junctions of Union Terrace and Bridge Street, which is always milling with people and traffic and is a major junction in the city. Union Terrace and Gardens (known locally as "The Trainnie Parkie", is a pleasant corner. The gardens are always well kept and colourful. Its centerpiece is the Aberdeen Coat of Arms "Bon Accord" made up of flowering shrubs. A bandstand in occasional use in the summer months and a 'giant' game of Chess used to be played on the upper level. I don't this takes place these days. Throughout the summer many organised events take place.

Bon Accord is translated as meaning "Happy to meet, Sorry to part, Happy to meet again", a traditional Aberdeen greeting.

The terrace is made up of fine granite buildings used by solicitors and bankers with the grand Douglas hotel completing the look. A statue of Robert Burns stands by the entrance to the park. In his hand he holds a 'daisy' dedicated to one of his poems. This daisy disappears regularly, especially during Student's Rag Week and has to be replaced often.

At the northern end by the theatre is a triangle road junction, with Schoolhill and Rosemount with a fine flower garden fenced off to the public, with a statue of Prince Albert as a centrepiece and on one corner the magnificent statue of William Wallace. While Wallace stands proud holding his massive sword in one hand, around the base of the statue are fine inscriptions explaining his link with Scottish history. Perhaps Mel Gibson should have read these before making the film 'Braveheart' and may have got somewhere nearer the truth instead of adding so much Hollywood license to his otherwise entertaining film.

The opposite side of the Denburn once looked as grand with the mighty tower of the East & Belmont Church (where my parents were married) which has now been reduced to a shell and the lower level turned into a restaurant.

Alongside the tower, with it's entrance in Belmont Steet, is the rear of a building that has had many rolls in its hundred year, history. Until 1954 it was the Belmont Cinema and where as children, we went to see the serials of Superman, Batman, Rocketman and Captain Marvel as well as travelogues, cartoons and sing-along films.

One of the projectionists was a Mr. Watt, who's son Alex (Sandy) is one of my schoolmates and whom I still keep in contact. Mr. Watt was both deaf and Dumb but managed to control the projectors by 'feel' both when changing over between reels, and the sound level was sensed by placing his hand on the `monitor".

The manager had been a Mr. Taylor. When it closed it became a NAFFI, for the second time and spent its last years as a carpet store. It is a fine building and deserved not to be left empty and decaying and it is interesting seeing that it is now being rebuilt as a cinema complex. History certainly appears to work on a 40 years cycle. During my most recent visits it was interesting seeing the front of the building had been taken down, but the stonework had all been numbered for replacement. The first quarter of the building was wide open to the light and it was interesting seeing the insides and rafters. Builders were busy dismantling everything for the rebuild. Today, the building is almost complete again. The front has been put back exactly as it was but there is a brand new roof with gabled vents spaced equally along both sides. From Union Terrace gardens it looks a splendid sight. Bright and clean, blending in well with the sleekness of the new highway along the Denburn and proving why this fine building should never have been demolished. To see it to advantage it is best viewed from Union Terrace gardens.

Back then the trains would be heard leaving the station. I wonder if the new picture goers will have to bear the noise of the road traffic?

Sadly the unfinished and delapitated remains of the Triple Church Spire spoils the overall effect of the modernising of this interesting area, but hopefully this too will be redesigned into a new venue over the next year or two.

It pleased me greatly that the old Belmont cinema would once again be entertaining audiences, albeit as a twin cinema high-tech complex. At the time of writing the re-opening had been put back due to Council cut backs, but it is planned to be opened early in 1998. As I recall attending the very last showing just over 40 years ago, it would be nice to pay a visit to the new complex either at its re-opening or very soon after. Sadly a year later the Belmont remains unopened, in spite of being completed as an entertainment centre.

Thankfully another year on and the cinema is now completed and I had the pleasure of entering the 'L' shaped hallway, which has changed little, with the original box office still made out on the left hand wall, but a new 'open' ticket stall has been built on the left hand corner of the 'L'. From this point it could almost still be the old Belmont and I could imagine the photo of stars and the latest films on the walls and the slightly darker lighting of that time. You enter the lower cinemas as if you were entering the old cinema and the stairs to the balcony and projection room also looks pretty much the same but now you enter the third cinema, which is the one that the film I wanted to see was showing. I was very impressed with the lightness and clean design of the small cinema and the seats were very comfortable. There is a very reasonable sized cinemascope screen and picture and sound quality was excellent and remained constant throughout the whole showing. I was suitably impressed and pleased that the new cinema was keeping up the high standards of the great cinemas such as the Majestic and Capitol etc.

On the north side of Rosemount Viaduct was Schoolhill Station, next to the theatre. There is little sign of this today as you look down on the sight where the first tunnel starts, though the old down platform edge runs back, below the bridge alongside the gardens. This platform was so close to the main station that Schoollhill could have been regarded as merely an extension. The station building remained until the 80's and was a cafe for many years. The building no longer exists.

At the corner of Belmont Street and Schoolhill is another fine group of granite buildings: The Cowdrey Hall and the Art gallery and Musium. Its corner wall is a lovely pillared archway with a huge granite statue of a Lion, forming the City's War Memorial to the fallen of the two World wars. Alongside this building is the Robert Gordon's College with the statue of Robert Gordon just in front of the attractive arched entrance, added to by a group of trees. The road then continues eastwards and where the college road curves onto Schoolhill. The buildings form a solid 'L' shape. The facing buildings were once part of Mitchell & Muill's bakery. On the opposite side of the street is Jameson's House, now used as a museum. As you meet the junctions with Back Wynd and Justice Mill Lane there is a shop selling everything to do with Artist painting.

The Cobbled Back Wynd leads onto Union Street, past the high wall and side entrance to St. Nicholas Churchyard and the old Queen's Cinema, now a nightclub.

Justice Mill Lane wonders off between what were the two main buildings of the bakery. The bakery ride remains unchanged in its appearance, but the opposite side, which, is where the baker vans were loaded up is now an ugly multi story car park. This was my very first job on leaving school, at £1 & 6d (£1.2P), a week, back in April 1956. My driver was the late Bill Copeland who lived in Clifton Road. Our usual route was most of Woodside and Bucksburn, but on Tuesdays and Fridays we served out lying farms in Persley, Parkhill and Whiterashes near Scotstown and Balgownie and returning via Persley. These were always 12 hour days and as I didn't get paid overtime was always reluctant to work after normal time and tried to get out of it whenever possible, to my driver's annoyance.

On, down to the junction with George Street and St. Nicholas Street. This corner has changed considerably. Until the late 60's it remained much as when built in Victorian times, with cobbled streets and tall tenement flats and shops. Today St. Nicholas Street has been virtually wiped away, having the modern St. Nicholas Shopping Center built over it, with just the corner with Union Street still recognisable as such.

Directly ahead of Schoolhill is the steep climb of the Upper Kirkgate. This too was an avenue of tenements and shops of some character, then leading into Broad Street where there was many grand houses owned by the famous, such a Lord Byron. Indeed his house was demolished to make way for the building of the 'new' Marshall College, the largest granite building in the world and a great seat of learning. This is a building on the grand scale. It has many fairy-like pinnacles and grand window frames. St. Margaret's Church on the eastern end becomes just part of the whole structure. There is a most interesting musium and the Mitchell tower gives magnificent views over the City and Dockland. In the musium you will find many artifacts from all over the world, plus the proverbial couple of 'Mummies'. There is also local artifact and explaining the interesting connection, which Bram Stoker had with Slain's Castle, at Cruden Bay, and the writing of his famous novel 'Dracula'.

It was disturbing to learn that it has been proposed that this fine building be turned into an Hotel! Doesn't quite ring true and while it is understandable of how expensive it must be to maintain this fine building in today's market, it just doesn't feel right that it should be simply an hotel, but time will tell.

The old town house in Union Street lost its main use when the new Skyscrapper Town House was built on the opposite side of Broad Street to the Marshall College. This is a typical modern monstrosity, which probably suits the soal-less bureaucracy within. However behind this structure is Provost Skene's House a magnificent 16th century structure with a turreted doorway. It was used by Cumberland during the Culloden period and went into disuse, being used at one time to house 'poor' families.

In the early middle 1950's when they started pulling down the old buildings on the south side of Broad Street and the Guestrow. It was decided to keep this structure and it was turned it into a very fine Museum where the rooms are set out exactly as they would have been in that period. It was re-opened by the Queen Mother, in 1953. There is also a nice cafe in the cellars. Always a must to visit when I am in Aberdeen.

Exit Broad Street between Esselmont & Macintosh's store and the old Town House onto Union Street, and cross the road to the "Mannie" next to the Athenium Hotel then around the rear into the Exchequers Row, a fine group of old Scottish tenements and the "Quinn's Bar". The large building in front of you is "Shiprow " entrance to the old 'Regal' cinema, which gives you an excellent view of the size of this granite building which the tiny entrance on Union Street disguises.

Walk down past the cinema and you are in the Shiprow, which leads down to the docks on a cobbled street. The building on your left is 'another' Provest Skene's House. An equally fine granite building with two arched doorways with Georgian windows. As with the previous museum this was refurbished as a museum in 1953 and is a museum dedicated to Aberdeen's Maritime history. In the spring of 1997 the building was given a facelift and the ajoining buildings, including the derelict church, have now been extended to dedicate the modern Gas & Oil Industries. Included among the displays is a large model of a North Sea Platform, which shows the massive scale of these, floating cities.

As well as making an interesting addition to the city's history, this rebuilding has also cleaned up the area between the Shiprow and Market Street which had become very grubby and run down.

You can wander through some interesting old, narrow cobbled streets to the Harbour at the corner of Market Street, Guild street and Victoria Road, which goes on to Torry. Or turn back up Market Street to the City Center. Turn left and you follow the busy harbour with its numerous bars, which can be rather seedy and disturbing, as it is filled with many nationalities, depending on which boats and ships are in dock. However there are some very interesting buildings and tiny side allays that can be explored. At Shore Lane, and still going strong, are the Shore Porters, Removers & Haulage Contractors. It is with pride that thier vehicles all carry the Date: Est. 1498, making them the oldest established business in the World still working.

As well as being one of the busiest harbours in Scotland, its history is connected with the past by its many well-known ships built at Alexander Hall (later Hall Russell's) shipyard. e. g. the majestic Sea Clippers (Cutty Sark being one) that won many races plying between China and the U.K.

The once massive fishing industry is a mere trickle today but the harbour is a-mass with shipping of all sizes shapes and colours in connected with the oil and gas industry and it is still interesting to visit.

As well as being one of the busiest harbours in Scotland it's history is connected with the past, in its many well-known ships built at Alexander Hall (later Hall Russell's) shipyard. e.g. the majestic Sea Clippers (Cutty Sark being one) that won many races plying between China and the U.K.

While fishing industry has declined the harbour is still a-mass with shipping of all sizes, shapes and colours in connected with the oil and gas industry and it is still interesting to visit.

The road around the western side of the harbour "Regents Quay" takes you past the numerous bars frequented by seamen of all Nations, and narrow alleyways. Concert Court is where a theatre entertained with local and professional talent until 18xx. Most of the main buildings were/are offices of the Ship builders and associated manufacturers and are in themselves worthy of a second look as they were finely designed in Aberdeen granite.

The once 'open' harbour is now closed off to public use and while the once large cranes worked none-stop loading and unloading cargo, there is still a sense of busyness and some interesting and colourful ships with strange modern designs.

The rail tracks are now also unused while stirring memories when a small steam loco would do the street work from Waterloo goods station with Guild street goods depot, while a man walked in front with a red flag.

Before the line through the Denburn and Guild Street station was built, Waterloo was the G.N.S.R. terminus. The main line south was at Ferryhill run by the Caledonian Rlwy and North British Railway Co's. The two companies didn't like holding their trains up when the GNSR was running late and passenger making the connections would have a difficult time hurrying along the harbour streets. Many, missing their connections altogether. This is what eventually created the need for the new station and line from Kittybrewster to Guild Street via the Denburn.

Waterloo goods depot lingered on until the late 70's. The fine goods shed was occupied by Fry's, the Chocolate Company. When I started at Kittybrewster Depot, there was a regular shunting turn which meant experiencing the heavy drop down to the docks which had you wondering if the train would manage to stop, or on return, manage to make the climb back. There are numerous records of trains failing to do either and coming to grief at the stop blocks. One incident left the wagons piled upon each other up against a tenement block. I'm sure many trainmen will recall times when they spent most of the return journey walking alongside the loco, throwing sand and grit under the wheels to finally reach Kittybrewster yard. Today little remains of the goods yard, but the single line is still used occasionally by clay wagons, from Cornwall.

The tracks continued along Waterloo Quay and turned into Church Street, terminating at Sandiland's Chemical works by Garvock Wynd. I was lucky to see one of the last movements, of a small four wheeled diesel loco, pulling two 100 ton tank wagons, back towards the harbour and managed to get a very nice colour transparency of them.

On past Church Street then Lime Street to York Place and the junction with Wellington Street which goes directly to the beach esplanade. However we follow York Street and on past the sight of Hall Russell's Shipyard and into Footdee, locally pronounced as Fit-tay.

Aptly named, as this is where the river Dee flows into the North Sea. Ships from the harbour pass here following the line of the North Pier and the lighthouse and out into the breakwater, or 'Barr'. "Barr" being the Gaidhlig word for crest or top. In this case referring to where the fresh water of the river Dee meets the incoming seawater. You can see boats and ships rise over the 'crest' before officially being "at sea". In seriously bad weather this is a very dangerous spot to be.

There are some fine views across the river onto Greyhope Road in Torry, which curves around the coast past the remains of the Torry Battery and Girdleness Lighthouse.

At the road junction you enter Footdee via Pocra Quay or New Pier Road. It is at this corner that stands a mock wooden 'tram' shelter, as mentioned in the Hazelhead chapter. This road then climbs onto the southern end of the Esplanade.

Just into Pocra Quay you will come across a stone marker at the sight of what was the Blockhouse. The description reads: "1477 A fort stood here, 1532 The Blockhouse, 1879 this building erected". The final statement is now well out of date as the sight is virtually clear, though it is fenced off making it well protected against tresspass.

New Pier Road is a fine thoroughfare of well built granite houses. Outside No. 5 (Corner house) can usually be seen, an old iron mangle, helping the atmosphere of the area's history. Behind New Pier Road is the heart of the old village consisting of North & South Squares. Once a very rundown corner all of the homes have been fully renovated and make a fine sight. The backs of the houses face directly out to sea and form part of the sea wall, between the end of the beach and the start of the harbour pier. The wall rises higher than the level behind the houses, with a concrete path, which probably acts as a channel when the waves break over it. With the modernisation of the houses small rear windows have been blocked in, as, I dare say, to create a warmer environment. This is also a good advantage point for watching ships entering and leaving the harbour, in all weather conditions.

[No.5 New Pier Road is where my ancesters lived. The families involved are the Duncans, Jenkins, Gunn, Baxter and Main, My grandparents (mother's side) were William Duncan & Jessie Jenkins, who lived in Loch Street to the time of their deaths. Grandad worked with Shore Porters. If anyone reading this can confirm a link I would be pleased to hear from them. The Duncans relate back to Fettersesso, near Stonehaven, 16 miles south of Aberdeen, Scotland].

Pocra Quay and Jetty are also interesting places to watch shipping as they leave Victoria and Albert Basins and into the Tidal harbour. Tiny pilot boats can be seen guiding massive ships along this narrow stretch between North Pier and Abercrombie Jetty.

Other points of interest at Pocra Quay are the "Roundhouse" which is a lighthouse. The Roundhouse has been on this sight for around 300 years, changing its shape and height as it was modernized. Alongside is the Lifeboat station. On a more modern note, is the group of large blue tanks used as sludge tanks, which contrast considerably with the age of the surrounding buildings.

Footdee is interesting to me, as, meantioned above, this is where my mother's family came from, albeit, the first family member with Aberdeen connections had walked from Fetteresso (Stonehaven), to find work, and settled here.

Our family history tells of one youth who lived at No. 2 New Pier Road, who along with a friend, had been talked into running off to join Prince Charlie, at Culloden. They were only youngsters and on arrival soon got cold feet and ran back home to 'Fittie', where for their pains they were locked up in the Tollbooth.

Records at the Tollbooth also tell of the same family member as having been locked up for being a common housebreaker. So no family hero's there, I'm afraid. Later records show that he married the daughter of his friend and they became one of my early grandparents.

Before leaving Fittie, further family history can be traced by visiting St. Clements Churchyard. Back along York Street and York Place. Into St. Clements Street by the triangle where once stood, York Street School. St. Clements Church is now unused and still in excellent condition though sadly it has ugly metal shutters over the windows due to vandalism. During one visit I was lining up my camera to take a shot of a family gravestone when I fell backwards over something, and to find that it was a body. I thought I had stumbled over a corps but the empty wine bottle told the tale and as he was actually breathing I left well alone. This was in the middle of the afternoon.

The church is a fine building with a tall Clock & Bell Tower with six pinnacles and a pinnacle at the top of each corner of the building. Among the most imminent people buried there is David Grant, the composer of the famous Psalm "Crimond". A plaque at the door entrance gives these details, while near the south entrance there is a large granite coffin which is more like a tomb, to the Duthie Family, ship merchants and who gave the Duthie Park to Aberdonians to enjoy. Another is of the Hall family, of the famous Hall Russell shipbuilders.

For a more detailed description of Footdee it is worth getting a copy of "Footdee" which is one of the Villages of Aberdeen, series, by local author Diane Morgan, from Denburn Books.

It was certainly worth searching out the stones as I found many family connections, which linked to most of the records we already had.

While the Church is in reasonable condition, the footpath is grumbling and paths among the stones are very muddy. Most stones are readable, while a few are well worn and others are broken. At one place a rabbit had dug such a deep hole at the base of a stone, that I wondered if perhaps it was a case of my relations coming up to meet me. There is certainly room for some improvements and protection from such unwarranted destruction.

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