Wish you’d Been Here? New booklet celebrates Aberdeen’s heyday as Scotland’s leading holiday resort

24 March 2017

Aberdeen’s golden period as a holiday resort in the 1950s and 60s is captured in a new booklet produced by Aberdeen City Libraries in partnership with the Beach Ballroom.

Wish You'd Been Here: the Silver City with the Golden Sands, available now for £1 from Aberdeen City Libraries and the Beach Ballroom, is compiled from newspapers, holiday guides, photographs and postcards held in the Local Studies collections at the Central Library.

The booklet takes a nostalgic look back at the development of the beach front from the late 1920s through to the 50s and 60s when Aberdeen was gradually transformed into a first class holiday resort equipped with a range of entertainment facilities.

Although some of these facilities – the Bathing Station, Beach Shelter and Clock, the Bandstand and Pavilion - are long gone, the Beach Ballroom remains from the time when Aberdeen was known as Scotland’s leading holiday resort.

The booklet is the beginning of a project, in this year of History, Heritage and Archaeology to recognise the contribution of the beach to Aberdeen’s heritage and bring the beach to life by attracting visitors to follow a new beach trail.

As well as the booklet, which also outlines the trail, the history of the beach will unfold through a series of information panels along the promenade. Two new panels were installed recently, created by Aberdeen City Libraries and the Beach Ballroom in partnership with the Council’s Environment Manager and Countryside Officer. One tells the story of the Beach Ballroom whilst the other features historic postcards and messages describing holiday experiences and memories.

It is hoped additional panels will be installed along the front towards Footdee featuring the Bathing Station, Amusement Park, Pavilion and Beach Activities.