Scotland > 1882-1915 - Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory of Scotland > 1886 - Slater's (late Pigot and Co's) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland

ABERDEENSHIRE
ABERDEEN
SLATER'S
10,000 to 12,000 tons of granite per aunnm are nsed for polishing; however, too city ja Iran oof o«li to return two members, une lor tue
purposes at tho various works. The demand for polished granite ! northern anil the other for tho southern division. Aberdeen confers
increases every year, and orders for architectural, general and j the tiQo of earl on a branch of the noble family of Gordon, which
monumental purposes come from aU parts of the world to the was distinguished for its active loyalty to the crown in the seven-
Granite Citv teenth century.
There are three joint stock companies for tho manufacture and i There are seven incorporated trades :— 1, the Hammermen, in-
salo of agricultural materials-the Commercial, the Lime, and the ! corporatod September, 1519 ; 2. the Bakers, recognised as a
Northern Agricultural— each of them having steam mills for pulver- | company as early as the year 139b; 3, the Wrights and Coopeis,
ising bones" The latter, in addition, carries on the manufacture of i who obtained »Beir original seal of causo on tho 5th of August,
oilcake linseed oil, rape oil, See. Messrs. Ben Reid & Co. have a 1 1527; 4, the T»i!ors, who wm-o recognised in a corporate capacity
large establishment for tho manufacture of agricultural implc- 1 about tho year 1511 ; 5, the shoemakers, acknowledged as a corpo-
rooms. Messrs. Harper fc Co. carry on an extensive business in j rate body m the years 1-181 and 1»20 ; 6, the Weavers i the deacons
the mannfacture of agricultm-al implements and machinery and wire of this corporaoloniyere approved by the council and sworn into
weaving, especially tho construction of wire suspension bridges. I office in the year 1449; and 7, tho Fleshers or Butchers; hose
There are also brick and tile manufacturing companios, several | originally dealt in fish as well as flesh, but were prohibited m the,
soap and candle manufactories, coach builders, and many other i year 151S from practising more trades than one; they *OMOTed»
largo establishments, of which our space prevents us from giving I seal of cause in lo34 The several incorporations hold the.rmcet-
ilctails, located here. Tho iron and metal works employ a largo j ings in the Trades' Hall, in Jmon street, at the south-cast cor)
number of skillod
lishmeuts and fonndr:
' workmen The are several engineering estab- 1 of Union bridge, a building of rather florid architecture, erected
idries, with other works connected with shipping in 1840-7, from designs by the late Mr. John South, architect.
- Tho affairs of each corporation are under the direction of a deacon,
box-master, and masters, who are chosen annually. The Rev. Dr.
William Guild, one of tho town's ministers, and afterwards Principal
of King's College, founded in 1632 a Trades' Hospital for tho benefit
of indigent brethren, assigning to the in corporation for that purpose
the monastery and other property that formerly belonged to tho
monks of the Holy Trinity. The Advocates' Hall is in Broad street,
— sail and rope works, boiler making, &c, &e; Apart from the
import of foreign timber, there is a large bnsiness carried on in
homo-grown wood, from the upper districts of Abordeonshire.
Deeside fir has been a staple article in Aberdeen from time imme-
morial.
Tho earliest banking company formed in Aberdeen was started
in 1752. It was begun on a scale which must now be regarded as -
limited, even for the comparatively moderate requirements of that I m proximity to and connected with the Court House
period, and it waB not long e"» * h » »k™« «•< relinonishnd. j
17i;6 the " Aberdeen Bankii
enjoyed almost a monopoly <
About thirty years ago it was merged m
Scotland," sinking its individual title. It still maintains a good con- | tains about five thousand volumes. The number of me inbcis
nection, and continues to do a considerable business, both in tho | belonging to this institution is about 150 Among several c libs
town and over the northern district. Besides representatives of most I formed in this city the " Royal Northern Club and the New Club
oftheEdinburghandGlasgowBanks.thereareinAberdeentwothriv.laro the principal. The Mechanics' Institute, in Market street
ing native banks-the Town and County Bank, Limited, established was erected in 1824 : it is in the Italian style of architecture ami
in 1825, haviug fifty-two branches, and tho North of Scotland Bank, contains a good library and several class rooms, latterly devoted
Limited, established in 18S6, with sixty branches. By each of these
two establishments (which are both incorporated by Act of Parlia-
ment) an extonsive business is carried on at their head and brauch
offices in tho city, and through their numerous agencies in the
principal towns and villages in the northern counties, as well as in
several counties south of Aberdeen. Tho banking houses in Aber-
to the purposes of r. Science and Art School. A Museum and Art
Gallery, raised by public subscription, has just been erected in
Scbooibill. on the grounds in front of Robert Gordon's Collogo. It
is a handsome building, of the Italian Renaissance order, and
being largely constructed of light-red and dark-brown granite,
presents a novel and striking appearance. It was designod by
several couiiui's siuilli oi Auerueuu. mo uuuniny uuuaco iu nu C1 - ^.ww.,— « .. — ■ _ --- — -— Q -„ — ,- ,
deon are, on the whole, elegant structures. That of the Town and Messrs. Matthews and Mackenzie, architects ; as was also an ad-
County Bank occupies an excellent position in tho angle formed by [ joining and symmetrical bmlding. intended for an Art School,
the junction of St. Nicholas street with the line of Union street, erected at a cost of £p,000 by Councillor John Craig, and gifted by
The North of Scotland Bank occupies a similar position in the him to the town. Both buildings are united by a noble archwaj.
corner where tho western side of King street joins Castle street. A nucleus for the Art Gallery has just been formed by ^the bequest
Tho National Securitv Savings Bank has been long in operation, | of a magnificent collection by the late Mr. Alexander Macdonald, of
and is well patronised by the special class of depositors for which it Kepplestone. The various institutions of a ckaiitable, social,
is designed. Aberdeen is the head station of two highly respectable educational and humane character, are numerous aud wcU_sup-
insnrauco companies, namely, tho Scottish Provincial, established
in 1825, and the Northern, in 1836.
ported. A list of them will be found under the head "Public
Buildings," &c. Two daily morning newspapers, two daily oveuing,
"Ar7g'ularc"ommun7ca"tIonis"maintainedwithLondon,Edinbnrgb,;two weekly, a weekly satirical paper, and a weekly advertiser arc
Newcastle, Hull, and the Orkneys and the Shetlands, bv steam | issued from the Aberdeen press-their titles aud other particulars
packets, a species of conveyance which has done more to lay open i are given in their place. The first almanac ever printed in bcot-
t shore of Seo'tland to improvements from the south \ land was published in Aberdeen, in 16(7, by a printer named John
*'A New Prognosticate calculated for
' s annually, and the
i of a penny sterling.
I His success induced the publication of pirated editions at Edinburgh,
which were suppressed by the Court of Session, and for many years
tho north-east
than any other means. In addition to the above, there exist the j Forbes ; it was entitled "A New Prognosticat
moans of rapid transit bv the Caledonian Railway and other lines ' North Britain." He sold fifty thousand copies
to all parts south of Aberdeen ; and access is given to the north by I price of each was only a plaek, or the third part o
to all parts south of Aberdeen ; and access is given to tho north by | rric
tho Groat North of Scotland and the Highland Railways to Wick "
and Thurso, aud the Dingwall and Skvo railway to Strome^ Ferry,
in Ross-shire. The Doeside lino to Banchory was opened in 185S,
and is now extended to Ballater, coaches running in connection
with tho trains past the Royal residences of Abcrgeldie audBal-
moral to Braemar. Of other conveyances the Directory furnishos
full information.
There are several first-class Hotels iu the city, among which may
bo mentioned the Imperial, situated in a retired situation^ in
the town enjoyed a complete monopoly in tho salo of almanacs.
Prominent among the ecclesiastical edificos of the city are tho
East and West churches. These form ouo building, and occupy
the site of the ancient parish church of St. Nicholas, which con-
sisted of nave and aisles, transept and chancel, and was built
progressively probably between tho 10th and the 12th centuries.
The present West church occupies the site of the old nave, aud was
Stirling street, adjacont to the Railwav Station; it is a neat building I erected about 1d0 years ago from a design by the celebiatcd
in tho Venetian-Gothic style of architecture, and internally fitted ; architect Gibbs, who was a native of Aberdeen. It is in tho Roman
with all modern requirements essential to a first-class hotel, no style, with nave and side aisles, divided by massive square piers
expense being spared to render it in all respects equal to any other and semi-circular arches, and has a tmely proportioned interior, it
of the same character. Tho Palace Hotel, adjoining Union bridge. ! contains sittings for about 1,4d0. There are several monuments in
is most centrally and convenient^ situated, and from its elevated ! it worthy of attention, particularly ouo in marble to the memory of,
and open position commands a tine view of Union street, the chief the late Mrs. AUardyce, of Dnnotrar, wjich is a splendid specimen
thoroughfare of the citv, and is near the railway station ; it is a < of the talents of the sculptor Bacon. The large west window has
handsome and commodious building, and one of the largest and I lately been fitted in with stained glass. The Old East church,
best appointed hotels in Scotland. Tho Douglas in Mark, t street, . which it was deemed necessary to take down in lfeoo, was built in
and Forsyth's in Union street, are also first-class hotels. There are 1 1447, on the site of the chancel, and formed the choir of the church,
besides many excellent inns, which afford accommodation to various! The east end was semi-octagonal, and under it was bt. Marys
grades of travellers. ! chapel, which stiU remains. The present East church was erected
The burghal constitution of Aberdeen has undergone various | in 1S36, from a design by the late Mr. Archibald bimpson, in the
iltorations sinco its first establishment. The original magistracy ; decorated Gothic style, of finely dressed granite. The old transept,
onsisted of au alderman, four bailies, and a common council, | known as Drum's and CoUison s aisles, was at the same time
alterations
consisted <
chosen by the inhabitants ; subsequently this arrangement gave
way bofore the gradual and perfect introduction of a self-electing
system. From the year 1S17 until 1826 the city revenues were
gathered by and dispensed under the control of trustees. The credit
of the burgh may now be considered as good as that of any in the
kingdom. The council now consists of a provost, six bailies,
a dean of guild, a treasurer, a master of shore works, a master of
kirk and bridge works, a master of mortification, a master of Guild
Brothreu Hospital, and twelve councillors. By the "Aberdeen
Municipal Extension Act, 1871," the whole powers and authorities
of the former Commissioners of Police wore transferred to the
Town Council, and the business of the Police Department is
managed by separate committees. By the same Act the under-
taking of the former Gas Light Company was also transferred to
to the Town Council. The boundaries of the municipality were
largely extended in 1885, and legislative sanction given to a large
scheme of civic improvements, including tho formation of an access
to the Rosemount suburb. The circuit court of justiciary for the
counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine is held in Abe»deen.
A sheriffs court is held every Wednesday and Friday ; and the small
lengthened southwards, and formed a vestibule for the East and
West churches. Over the transept at its intersection with tho
churches there was a short tower with a wooden steeple, which on
the 9th October, 1874, was destroyed by fire, along with the interior
of the East church and Drum's and Colhson's aisles. The East
church has since been restored, and contains sittings for about
1 850 people ; a handsome new tower with spire of granite has also
been erected, from a design by Mr. W. Smith, architect, Aberdeen ;
the spire rises to the height of about 195 feet from the ground. The
old Norman arches and piers under the tower were taken down aud
rebuilt in their original form with the old stones. St. Clement's
church, or Footdee church, has a tower forty-live feet high, with a
clock presented by the magistrates. Greyfriars or College church,
which stand3 on the east of Broad street, near Marischal College,
is said to havo been erected by Bishop Dunbar, for the Grey
Friars, about the beginning of tho sixteenth century, and
is dow the only church in the town where the Roman
Catholic worship was performed previously to the Reformation.
The South church is situated in Belmont street, and is calculated
to accommodate 1,450 persons. It is in the Gothic style, and is di3-
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debt court on Thursday, during the legal sessions. Tho citv returns ; tiuguisbed by a handsome sqnaro tower, which forms a striking ob-
ono member to the Imperial Parliament ; the gentleman now (18S5) j jeot in the approach from tho south. Tho North church, in King
sitting is John Webster, Eso,, By the Redistribution Aot oi 1835, street, is a handsome building, in the Grecian style, esecutod in