Aberdeen Gallery

The picture gallery previously showed Aberdeen photos which were taken by flickr members. The pictures now shown are my own, I hope you enjoy them.

______________________________________________________

Aberdeen a thriving city which has become known as the oil capital of Europe. The offshore oil discovered in 1970 would or should do wonders for the British fragile economy. The largest reserves were found one hundred miles off the coast of Aberdeen. The discovery meant jobs, lots of them. Before the discovery of oil Aberdeen was a major fishing port and also shipbuilders, Hall Russell’s and John Lewis & Sons ensured high employment for the city. Lewis closed its doors in 1976, Hall Russell would carry on till 1989 when they were taken over by A & P Appledore who carried on with repair work and finally closed their doors in 1992.

Although the oil brought wealth to Britain, many would claim Scotland and Aberdeen in particular had been short changed. In 2008 Aberdeen council was fifty million pounds in debt, cuts to address the problem have been severe. claims of mismanagement were made and council leaders asked to stand down. However funding for Aberdeen from the Scottish government  is second bottom out of the thirty two local authorities. It seems that the Scottish government sees Aberdeen as a wealthy city and therefore does not require the funding of others.  Not all are employed in the oil industry and whether you are or not we still depend on adequate funding and of course proper council management of such funds.

Aberdeen was once known as the silver city with the golden sands. When the sun shines the Aberdeen granite which was used to build this very fine city comes alive making the grand buildings glisten. On the more frequent dull grey days the town can look pretty miserable. The golden sands obviously refers to the lovely Aberdeen beach.

When we were kids in the 1950s/60s Aberdeen was a very different place. Before the package holidays which took off in the early 70s, this city in spite of the cool climate was very much a seaside resort. Talk to any Aberdonian of  a certain age and they will tell you of the beautiful Summers back then. Of course we do tend to hold on to and remember what we want to. However 1959 was truly a magnificent Summer lasting through till October. The beach normally busy June, July and August on this year was thronging. Finding a spot for your deckchair was not easy. Swimmers took to the water with claims of (its not so cold when you get used to it.) In the school holidays we would also spend a great deal of time by the River Dee, a tree lined area known locally as the Livers (Lovers Lane). We would picnic and go fishing for trout, looking out for the bailiff was great fun. We would sling a rope from a branch of a large tree, swinging out from a great height was fantastic fun. My older brother and his mates would stand on the railings of the Chain Bridge and dive in to the river hundreds of feet below, much to the admiration of the less adventurous. I on the other hand whilst swinging from the rope on the very last occasion which I was to do this, lost my grip and went diving head first arms outstretched on to the rocks below.(silly sod.)  Lucky to survive, spent the night in Woolmanhill Hospital, returned home the following day with two broken arms, broken fingers in my left hand, fractures to my cheeks and numerous minor injuries. 

 Duthie park Winter gardens

  Duthie park Winter gardens

  Archibald Simpson

 Salvation army Citadel

  Aberdeen Wellington Chain bridge

  Robert the Bruce statue

  Balmedie beach

  Balmedie beach

  Aberdeens Marischal college

  Aberdeens Marischal college

  Aberdeens old Bridge of Dee

  Aberdeen beach

  Aberdeen beach

  Crathes Castle

  Crathes Castle

 Duthie park

  Duthie park

  Mains of Drum garden centre

 Aberdeens Art gallery

  Aberdeens Art gallery

 Aberdeens Music hall

  Old brig o balgownie

  Old brig o balgownie

  Cottown of balgownie

  Cottown of balgownie

  His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen

  His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen

  River Don from Brig o Balgownie

  Railway bridge across the river dee

 Railway bridge across the river dee

  Aberdeens Town house

 Aberdeens town house

  Aberdeens Union street

  Aberdeens Union street

  The Cowdray Hall Aberdeen

  Union Terrace Gardens

  Union Terrace Gardens

  Union Terrace Gardens

  William Wallace Statue

 Aberdeens Beach Ballroom

  Johnston gardens

  Johnston gardens

  Aberdeens Kings college

  Old Aberdeens town house

  Old Aberdeen

  Old Aberdeen

  Cruickshank Botanic gardens

 Cruickshank Botanic gardens

 Gordon Highlanders Statue

 Gorden Highlanders

 Provost Skene House

  Provost Ross House

 Aberdeens Mercat cross