My Aberdeen Gallery.
Pictures I have taken of our very fine city and a few taken of the surrounding areas. Placed underneath each picture is a short description. Click on the picture to view in full size
Feel free to use my Aberdeen pictures (contact me first and link back to my site if you do use any of them)
Aberdeens Winter gardens located in the Duthie Park.This is the city’s most visited attraction and is truly worthy of a visit.
Aberdeens Winter gardens located in the Duthie Park.This is the city’s most visited attraction and is truly worthy of a visit.
(Archibald Simpson Restaurant) Built between 1867 and 1873 a very prominent granite building designed by the architects Peddie and Kinnear.
Salvation Army Citadel built to the design of the Architect James Soutter in 1896.
The chain bridge designed by Captain Sir Samuel Brown and local architect John Tudor Smith.Opened to carriage traffic in May 1831
.King Robert the Bruce Statue was unveiled in May 2011. In 1319 Robert the Bruce set up the common good fund for the benefit of the Aberdeen people. The fund today is a staggering 30 million pounds plus. The statue was unveiled by direct descendants, Lord Charles Bruce and Master Benedict Bruce.
A most beautiful Beach about five miles north of Aberdeen City. This is where Donald Trump is creating what he says will be his flagship golf course and will well and truly put Aberdeen on the map.
A most beautiful Beach about five miles north of Aberdeen City.
Aberdeens Marischal College was founded in 1593 the current grand building was erected between 1836 and 1906. Part of the building was designed by the great architect Archibald Simpson. It was extended between 1895 and 1906 designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and is the second largest granite building in the world, the largest being The Escorial Palace, outside Madrid.
Aberdeens Marischal College was founded in 1593. The current grand building was erected between 1836 and 1906. Part of the building was designed by the great architect Archibald Simpson. It was extended between 1895 and 1906 designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie.
Aberdeens Bridge of Dee, built between 1520/1527. The bridge was built following a bequest of £20.000 by Bishop William Elphinstone who died in 1514 before work actually commenced. Bishop Gavin Dunbar completed the work under the cerical master of works Maister Alexander Galloway. The bridge was widened in 1840 on the west side with most of the original facings being replaced.
Before the package holidays became affordable to the majority of us ,Aberdeen beach in spite of our cooler weather was thronging with visitors.
Aberdeen Beach
(Crathes Castle) The 16th century castle is set in lovely grounds with a magnificent walled garden.
Another view of Crathes Castle in Spring.
Aberdeens Duthie Park opened in 1881. The land was gifted to Aberdeen City by Lady Elizabeth Duthie.
Duthie Park
Mains of Drum garden centre in a very picturesque site a few miles west of Aberdeen. opened its doors in 2009
Aberdeen Art Gallery Opened in 1885 designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie
Aberdeen Art Gallery. Opened in 1885 designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, picture of the interior in all its magnificence.
(Aberdeen Music Hall) Designed by Archibald Simpson and opened in 1895
Construction of this ancient bridge began in the late 13th century and was not completed until 1320
Construction of this ancient bridge began in the late 13th century and was not completed until 1320
Charming old cottages beside the Brig o Balgownie
Charming old cottages beside the Brig o Balgownie
His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen Designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1909
His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen
River Don from Brig o Balgownie
The railway bridge crossing the River Dee was completed in 1850, modifications were made in the 1880s.
The railway bridge crossing the River Dee was completed in 1850, modifications were made in the 1880s.
Aberdeen Town House built between 1867 and 1873. A splendid granite building designed by Peddie and Kinnear in the Flemish Gothic style.
Aberdeen Town House built between 1867 and 1873. A splendid granite building designed by Peddie and Kinnear in the Flemish Gothic style.
Aberdeens main Town centre street looking east from Union Terrace.
Aberdeens main Town centre street looking west from Union Terrace.
The Cowdray Hall opened its doors to the public in the 1920s. Photographing the interior is not permitted.
The sunken gardens were opened to the public in 1879. Surrounded at the moment with controversy. Sir Ian Wood, local tycoon has pledged 50 million pounds to raise the gardens and create a civic square. The total cost of the project is estimated to cost 140 million. The council is keen to proceed, feelings of the people are far from being entirely in favour. (watch this space) (Update August 2012) The people of Aberdeen were given the choice to vote as to whether or not they wanted this project to go ahead. By a narrow majority the vote went towards keeping the gardens as they are.. Some upgrading is expected.
Union Terrace Gardens
Union Terrace Gardens
The statue positioned across from His Majesty’s Theatre in 1888 bearing the inscription. I tell you a truth, liberty is the best of all things, my son, never live under any slavish bond.
The Beach ballroom with its special sprung flooring system was innovative in 1929 when the venue opened. Before Aberdeen was thronging with nightclubs the Beach Ballroom was the place where we all would hang out in the 1960s.
Set amongst housing in the west end of the city Johnstone gardens is a sheltered and beautiful place ideal for a relaxing wander around.
Johnston Gardens
In 1495 Bishop William Elphinstone petitioned Pope Alexander V1 on behalf of King James 1V to have Aberdeen’s first college built. This was to cure the ignorance which he witnessed in his parish. Kings College is still in use till this day.
Here we have The Old Town House which was rebuilt in 1787, restored in 2005
The narrow cobbled streets and old cottages of Old Aberdeen bring charm to this historic area of the city.
Old Aberdeen
(Cruickshank Botanical Gardens) The 11 acre garden is for the teaching of botany. In 1898 the land was bequested by Miss Anne Cruickshank to commemorate her brother Dr Alexander Cruickshank.
Cruickshank Botanical Gardens. Good specimen of the Acer Griseum.
Unveiled by Prince Charles on the 15th of October 2011. The statue to commemorate the Gordon Highlanders Regiment The sculpture is the work of Mark Richards FRBS.
Gordon Highlanders
(Provost Skene House) One of the few remaining medieval buildings in Aberdeen, dating from 1545. Sir George Skene was Lord Provost from 1676-1685
(Provost Ross House) In 1710 John Ross a successful merchant in Aberdeen became lord provost. Ross purchased this house in 1702, it was built in 1593 by master mason Andrew Jamieson.
In 1686 John Montgomery local mason built Aberdeen’s mercat cross. A unicorn is positioned at the top of the highly decorated structure. The site was used for public punishment and Royal proclamations.
Ruin of old St Fitticks Church. A Church is said to have stood on this position in Torry (to the East side of Aberdeen) since the 12th century. This ruin is said to more likely be from the 18th century. The ruins have what is thought to be a chain for a scold’s bridle,a form of ecclesiastical punishment for women and gossips. (bit extreme)
Torry Battery, looking through an archway of the existing ruins towards the harbour. Built to defend the city of Aberdeen and its harbour, the site dates back to at least the 1490s.
Looking towards Aberdeen Harbour which is one of the busiest ports in Britain.
(Hazlehead Park) A beautiful park in Aberdeen covering 180 Hectares. Part of the freedom lands which was granted to the City of Aberdeen in 1319.
Hazlehead Park
Piper Alpha Memorial. Commemorates the 167 men who were killed on the 6th of July 1988 on the Occidental oil platform 120 miles offshore. Sixty one men were rescued. On the 6th of July 1991 the memorial was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
I suggest you contact Ben Reid nursery in Aberdeen, sure they will put you on to someone.
i came accros with your blog and i need your advice can you recommend a landscape specialist to design a back yard garden?from Aberdeen ofcourse
many thanks
Hello Kathy
At the time this picture was taken Frank and Bunty my brothers in-laws lived at the farm. I cant recall your father, was he Franks brother. I think Rickys home is in Spain. I have very fond memories of them all.
Hi Alistair, I came across your website by accident as I was searching for any information on my cousin Ricky Simpson who I know lives in the Bahamas now. I don’t know if you remember my father Ricard Simpson who lived at the farm that is shown in your picture with Ricky an Alex. Alex was married to my cousin Ella but I know she died of cancer . I’m know Richards mom Aunty Bunty passed away some years ago . I had phone call from Ricky last year saying that his sister Myra had died…..since then I have lost touch. I do hope you remember our family I have a brother called Alastair and a sister Anita. Would be nice to hear from you. Regards Kathy Jevons
We will miss it Susan. Looking forward to what’s ahead though.
Hiya Alistair, loved looking at photos around Aberdeen and of your garden, it’s beautiful, bet you’ll miss it once you move/or have moved?
Thank you Carol, not for making you homesick but for liking my pictures.
Have enjoyed looking at your photographs – made me homesick – proud to be Aberdonian – we Are lucky to have such beauty still – long may it last…
Thanks Rebecca, so much granite used in Aberdeen, looks good when the sun is shining.
I have loved seeing the sights around Aberdeen. Thank you. My husband and I have traveled (from the U.S.) to the UK 8 times and have visited Scotland several times but never got to Aberdeen. I wish now that we had! It’s so beautiful there. I love the architecture and the materials used.