Women waving hankies, around 1910
With the arrival in Aberdeen of the Tall Ships Races just weeks away, a new exhibition of historic photographs from the archive of Aberdeen Harbour Board is going on display at the Art Gallery.
The photographs were taken in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Harbour Engineer Robert Gordon Nicol (1858-1934). As well as showing views of the harbour, the images serve as a record of many other aspects of life around the port, including people at work and vessels.
The Port of Aberdeen, previously known as Aberdeen Harbour Board, is thought to be Britain’s oldest business. Established by King David I of Scotland in 1136, it has played a vital role in the city’s development and prosperity.
Cargo Ship SS Woodfield, around 1920
The records of Aberdeen Harbour Board, spanning 1800 to 1960, were transferred to Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives in 2019. The collection is diverse, containing ledgers, correspondence, building plans, salmon sale registers and detailed logbooks of vessels leaving and entering the harbour.
There are thousands of photographs in the archive, including many glass negatives taken by Nicol. He also took his camera on family holidays and on visits he undertook in his capacity as advising engineer to the Scottish Fishery Board. His images convey the importance of these bustling havens to their local communities including Peterhead, Stonehaven, Cullen and Lerwick.
Divers with support crew, around 1910
Many of the photographs in the collection include people, sometimes engaged in specific work or tasks. These images show details of how people dressed and the types of occupations that were frequently seen around the harbour at the beginning of the 20th century. In one image from around 1910, two divers are pictured, probably at Mearns Quay, with Pocra Quay behind. They are with support crew of five men on a diving punt, one holding an air line to the diver.
The range of ships and boats shown illustrates the diversity of trade and goods that came and went from the harbour in the early 20th century. Dredgers, tugs and small fishing boats were a common sight, alongside much larger cargo vessels importing goods such as coal and timber. Exports included woollen goods, granite, beef and salt herring.
Information
From the Archive – Aberdeen Harbour opens at the Art Gallery, Schoolhill on Sunday 8 June and continues until 11 January 2026. Admission free. Please note that the Art Gallery will be closed on Saturday 7 June for a civic event.
Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives, Town House, Broad Street – open Tue-Fri. Please book your appointment in advance by emailing archives@aberdeencity.gov.uk
