Pictures: Steeplejacks, shoppers and Satrosphere – October memories in and around Aberdeen
The clocks go back at the end of the month, so we've turned back time to reminisce over archive photos of people and places around Aberdeen in October over the years.
ByKirstie Waterston
1973: Crowds gather outside Arnotts in 1973 when Sir Hugh Fraser opened the remodelled George Street store. Sir Hugh, head of the House of Fraser, had overseen this outlet change from being Isaac Benzies to Arnotts, one of 11 such stores throughout Scotland. Image: DC Thomson
With autumn in full swing, we turn the clock back to October days of the past, when the housewives of Aberdeen turned up in their droves to Arnotts new-look store, steeplejacks scaled a Union Street spire, and the College of Commerce came tumbling down.
A name long gone from Scotland’s high streets, Arnotts in Aberdeen underwent a complete renovation 50 years ago this October.
The department store on George Street was originally Isaac Benzies, a much-loved and missed Aberdeen institution.
When Arnotts first took over the shop, the name Benzies remained, but it was rebranded in 1972 ahead of its huge remodel.
Crowds turned out on reopening day on October 3 1973 to visit the new-look department store which saw the addition of a ‘Miss Arnott boutique’ and a new furs, suede and leather department.
1990: High above Aberdeen’s Union Street, steeplejack Mark Perfect wields his hammer to free the masonry of Gilcomston South Church steeple during work to make it safe in this vertigo-inducing shot. Holburn Junction is in the background. Image: DC Thomson
1981: At Crathes Castle, pupils from Crathes School were given planting hints by head forester Philip Littlejohn, kneeling centre, while standing at the rear are Bertha Forbes, teacher of Classes 1-3, Charlie Sutherland, forester with the National Trust for Scotland, Peter Firth, forester, and Catherine Parkinson, head teacher. Image: DC Thomson
1988: Princess Anne unveils the plaque in the new community complex, Woodside. On the left is Rev Eliza Armstrong. Image: DC Thomson
1973: Now a sprawling suburb, Bridge of Don looks a lot smaller in this aerial photo. Image: DC Thomson
1987: All set to cut the cake at Greenbrae Primary School’s 10th birthday party are four members of staff who had been at the Bridge of Don school since it opened, left to right, Dorothy Caie, Audrey Harrower, Iris Reid and Nancy Weatherley. Image: DC Thomson
1992: Process worker Sheila Diack keeps a watchful eye on the daily pints production after Mackies re-started doorstep deliveries of milk in October 1992. The weekly delivery of Mackie’s milk to households and shops shot up to a staggering 120,000 pints in Aberdeen alone. Image: DC Thomson
1990: Bridge of Don youngsters, from left, Ryan Abel (10), Barry Abel (7), Ritchie Tosh (6) and Michael Tosh (4) try out the Shakkin Briggie at Satrosphere. Image: DC Thomson
1979: A smiling line-up of Aberdeen University graduates gather for a souvenir picture at the winter graduation ceremony at the Mitchell Hall, Marischal College. Image: DC Thomson
1981: The Gordonian RFC team of Robert Gordon’s which lined up at Seafield on 17 October 1981. Back (l-r): P Snape, J Officer, C Snape, I Bell, S Smith, G Philip, A Morgan, A Hardie. Front (l-r): I MacCrae, S Irvine, A Croll, J Hutcheson, T McPate, G Bowie, M Stewart. Image: DC Thomson
1978: A view into the bygone days of Aberdeen shows shoppers buying their flowers at the market at The Green. Image: DC Thomson
1999: The demolition of the former College of Commerce on Holburn Street. Image: DC Thomson
1971: Crowds gathered outside Arnotts in 1973 when Sir Hugh Fraser opened the remodelled George Street store. Sir Hugh, head of the House of Fraser, had overseen this outlet change from being Isaac Benzies to Arnotts, one of 11 such stores throughout Scotland. Image: DC Thomson
Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments.
Pictures: Steeplejacks, shoppers and Satrosphere – October memories in and around Aberdeen
Conversation