A LOOP THROUGH ROYAL DEESIDE

We've now left Aberdeen behind and headed inland to Alford, once served by the Great North of Scotland Railway.

The station site here later became the HQ of the Aford Valley Railway.

Inside the shed in 1986, with a steam loco.

Some 1997 scenes on the Alford Valley Railway.

Stagecoach Bluebird had a small depot in Alford.

Further west, to Braemar Castle in 1965.

The old Brig o' Dee bridge in Braemar.

A nice scene in the Braemar area, early 1970.

We're not visiting royalty today, but here's a pleasant scene around Balmoral.

Next, the unusual Crathie Kirk.

The railway stretched out as far as Ballater. LNER 2247 is seen here (Photographer unknown).

Ballater station in 1961 (Ben Brooksbank).

Further down the valley, we come to Banchory station, first in GNoSR times.....

.....then in 1961. All gone now! (Ben Brooksbank).

We soon approach the coast again, pausing only to view the graveyard at Fetteresso.

Now, it's time to view the harbour town of Stonehaven. There was a traditional signal box there in 1990.

Outside the station, this 'Y' type belonging to a local operator.

Stonehaven town centre, 1976.

Here's a view of the harbour (Creative Commons License).

Overlooking the harbour, the excellent Ship Inn.

That seems a good spot to conclude this post. There's a castle to see in the next one. Here's a link to the route.






 

ABERDEEN

We arrive in the city of Aberdeen in one of its northern suburbs, Kittybrewster, where the LNER (ex GNoSR) had its loco shed.

Not far away is Old Aberdeen. Here are two views of the High Street.

Some almshouses in Old Aberdeen.

St Machar's Cathedral is also in this vicinity.

Kings College, part of the Univesity, again to the north of the city centre.

Aberdeen Corporation's bus depot was close by.

 It's often forgotten that Aberdeen is a seaside resort. The beach is to the north of the harbour entrance

Three views of the harbour entrance.

A general view of Aberdeen harbour.

Some of the shipping to be found in Aberdeen harbour.

Ferries take passengers to the Shetlands.

The fishing industry was once big in Aberdeen.

A sailing vessel in the Inner Harbour, with the city centre behind.

Aberdeen Joint station, in pre-grouping days.

A North British Railway express departs.

A GNoSR 4-4-0 at Aberdeen.

Aberdeen was served by both LMS and LNER services.

09103 sits in the adjacent goods yard in 1996.

37417 on the Royal Scotsman tour train.

Union Bridge, with the Corporation trams, crossed over Aberdeen station.

Union Street is the main thoroughfare in Aberdeen, once served by its trams.

Union Street in 1990.

Aberdeen Corporation became Grampian Regional Transport.

Northern Scottish also operated in Aberdeen.

Northern's 'out of town' routes used a terminus beside the railway station.

Firstbus took over Grampian RT.

Meanwhile, Stagecoach gained the Northern business.

Time for a pub crawl!!! Close to the station is Aitchie's.

There's the obligatory Wetherspoons, the Archibald Simpson.

Here's a famous cellar bar, the Howff.

In a back street, off Union Street, Ma Cameron's.

Down by the harbour, the Moorings Bar. It's now better known as Krakatoa.

Next we have the Old Blackfriars.

The Prince of Wales is one of the city's oldest.

Another cellar bar, worth waiting for it to open,Under the Hammer.

Finally, leaving the best until last, the Grill on Union Street, not to be missed.

Right, I hope you enjoyed Aberdeen. The next post will find us heading more or less south and west.

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