Cruden Bay Photo Albums

A recent donation to the archive has been two albums of photographs and postcards from the late 19^th to early 20^th century belonging to William Bremner, Chemist (M.P.S.) of Cruden Bay. These photographs, commissioned by Mr Bremner, depict sites of interest around the North East coast, but also offer a glimpse into Cruden Bay’s past as a hotspot for travellers and golfers. The very grand Cruden Bay Hotel and the neighbouring golf course feature heavily. 

Many of these photographs were turned into postcards to be sold in William's Cruden Bay Pharmacy (located at Pharmacy House, Aulton Road), as advertised in this newspaper cutting which was in one of the albums. As you can see from the advertisement, he not only sold medicines and toiletries, but also tobacco, fishing tackle, ‘spectacles and eyeglasses’, sweets and chocolates including ‘Cruden Bay Rock’, and ‘photographic chemicals, plates, and films’. The images in these albums are advertised as a ‘splendid selection of photographic views of Cruden Bay and District…including the magnificent Rock Scenery of the Coast, the famous Bullers of Buchan, [etc.]’.

Newspaper advertisement for W. M. Bremner, Cruden Bay Pharmacy (DD3325/1)

The Cruden Bay Golf Course in its current form opened in 1899, commissioned by the Great North of Scotland Railway Company along with the Cruden Bay Hotel and the tramway which served it from the local train station. We can see in these photographs the tourists, particularly golfers, which these developments attracted to the area. The 82-bed hotel prospered in the beginning of the 20^th Century, visited regularly by wealthy clientele, many of whom returned year after year to play golf. Unfortunately, this success did not last, and it was run at a loss for several years before being requisitioned by the Army in World War II. On its return to the owners after the war, it was sold to a demolition contractor and was finally demolished in 1952.

Golfers (DD3325/2, p 26)

The Lancashire Daily Post, 1 July 1926 with W Bremner noted in the scores.

New Slains Castle, known best nowadays for its connection to Dracula’s author Bram Stoker, also makes up a large part of the album with photographs showing its ruined state as it exists today, and as it looked when intact.  After being sold by the 20^th Earl of Erroll, Charles Hay, in 1916 and its roof subsequently removed, the castle became a ruin as it stands to this day. 

Postcard of Slains Castl, past and present (DD3325/1)

The castle had existed on that site, with its dramatic views over the rocky coastline, since the end of the 16^th century, but was remodelled several times over the centuries. The remains of its former iteration, ‘Old Slains Castle’ are situated a few miles to the south towards Collieston. That first castle was destroyed in 1594 by James VI in retribution for the Hays’ complicity in a Catholic plot against him.  The final version seen in these photographs displays its 19^th Century remodelling in the Scottish Baronial style. For those who have walked along the coast and seen the stark brick ruins of the Slains Castle in its current state, these photographs offer a fascinating glimpse of its former grandeur.

‘Baiting the line’ (DD3325/2, p. 5)

These images also provide a glimpse of the decline of the fishing industry out of Port Erroll. Above is an image of women tending to fishing nets. The fishing industry, particularly herring fishing in this period, was drifting towards Peterhead. The construction of the Port Erroll harbour in the 1870s did not help matters and by World War I, fishing activity out of the harbour was limited.

Cruden Bay looking north west (DD3325/2, p. 6)

The rugged Buchan coastline near Cruden Bay is also featured in these albums, particularly the Bullers of Buchan, which in early summer are home to hundreds of nesting seabirds including puffins. Also shown is nearby Dunbuy Rock and its arch, and the Twa Een double arch below Slains Castle. I have often walked along the cliffs in this area and so seeing these exact same features captured in photographs over a century earlier in much the same condition, excluding, of course, Slains Castle, is extremely fascinating.

Slains Castle from south (DD3325/2, p. 30)

You can view these photo albums at our Old Aberdeen House Archives site, under reference DD3325/1-2.

[Olivia, Volunteer]

References:

https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB52471

https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/smrpub/master/detail.aspx?refno=NK03SE0002

Bygone Buchan by Jim Buchan   ISBN: 9780951273609

Additional information and timeline for William Bremner:

• 1881 census - aged 8, father James Bremner (54) and mother Christina Bremner (51). Of Boharm, Moray at 'Belnacoul'. Also a brother John Bremner (23), and sisters Margret (21), Emma J (17), Ann (14) and Jane (11). 
• 1891 census - aged 19 at 6 Thistle Street, Old Machar, Aberdeen. Boarder of Helen Lawson. Occupation given as Chemist's Assistant.
• Jessie and William were married on 21 September 1900 at St Machar, Aberdeen. Residence given as 25 Affleck Street
• 1901 census - aged 29, married to Jessie A Bremner. Address given as Jessamine Cottage, occupation Chemist and Druggist, born Boharm, Banffshire
• 1911 census - aged 38 at Aulton Road, Pharmacy House. Living with Jessie Ann (38) and children Mary Christina (9), Helen Maggie (8), William James (6), Harold August (3) and Irene Rose (1). Mother in Law Mary Weir (73) also in residence, along with one servant Jane Ann Anderson (17).
• 1921 census - aged 49 at Pharmacy House, Aulton Road, with Jessie (48), Harold (13), Irene (11), Jeannie Isabella (8).

1921 Census via Scotland's People

• William died on 1 June 1952: 'William Bremner of Pharmacy House, Cruden Bay', aged 80, 'retired chemist'. He was a widower at this point, Jessie having died on 8 Oct 1925 at the age of 52. Both Jessie and William are buried in Cruden Churchyard, 'New' / 'Middle Section'.

The image below shows a family enjoying the beach at Cruden Bay, potentially the Bremner family?

Unidentified people on beach at Cruden Bay (DD3325/2, p. 12)

Jessie's parents William Weir and Mary Weir (nee Harper) were farmers in the Chapel of Garioch area, and it seems William utilised this information along with his own chemistry knowledge to create 'Bremner's Condition Powder' for Horse and Cattle:

Buchan Observer, 1899

William was also Vice-President for the Cruden Bay Literary Society, as detailed below in the Buchan Observer, 29 January 1907:

From newspaper articles, it looks as if William's son Harold August (b. 1907, Cruden) was also a Chemist, and took over the business upon his father's retirement. He married Sarah Craib on 22 July 1935 at the Parish Church of St Luke, West Norwood, London. He sold the business and property c. 1970s. Harold died aged 80, in Nairn in 1988 and is buried in Cruden extension.

Press & Journal, 18 April 1972

[Kimberley Smith, Archivist]