Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen

In the west of Aberdeen, there is Hazlehead Park – all 180 hectares of it. There’s a maze, a “pet’s corner” where animals such as rabbits, alpacas, donkeys and goats can be seen, a play park, horse centre, gold course and putting green.

Some of the garden areas are not as well maintained as they once were (the Queen Mother Rose Garden is one), but others are still beautiful and kept to higher standards. There are sculptures dotted throughout the park and interesting stone “cairns” depicting historical scenes of Robert the Bruce.

Around the Park

Stone Lion

Centre of the Maze

A Tree So Tall

Pathway through the trees

Here comes the sun…

The Bruce Cairns

At Bannockburn

Coronation at Scone

Faded Glory

Queen Mother Rose Garden

Sea of Roses

Pergola

Stone Lady

Piper Alpha Disaster Memorial

Pets’ Corner

Peacock At Rest

Say Cheese!

Swimming

Cruickshank Gardens, Old Aberdeen

The Cruickshank Gardens are a hidden gem in Old Aberdeen. Nestled behind the zoology building of the University of Aberdeen, they span 11 acres and feature an ordered formal garden, a wild sunken garden, a walled garden, a rock and water feature garden, and the wonderful arboretum which you can only find if you know it’s there! (You need to go right to the back corner of the rock and water garden and through a gate – it’s worth looking for the entrance if you ever visit!)

Entering Eden…

Busy Bee

Philadelphus – Heaven Scent

Through the leaves…

Pond…

Fungi

In the Formal Garden

Rosa

Full Circle

In the centre

Sunken Garden

Wild and beautiful

Splendour

Poppies

In the Walled Garden

Abundance of flora

Foxglove

Rock and Water Garden

Tranquility

Open Gate

Gateway to the Garden

Arboretum

Hidden Wilds

Purple Flowers

Black Cones

King’s College Campus, Old Aberdeen

I used to work at the University of Aberdeen King’s College Campus and each lunchtime, no matter what the weather, I would leave the office and go for a walk around the beautiful campus. It’s in the heart of Old Aberdeen and was established in 1495 – it was the first university in Aberdeen, the third in Scotland, and the fifth in the UK.

Around the Campus

View towards King’s College Chapel

Elphinstone Hall

Archway

New King’s Building

New King’s

New King’s

Old Town House

Memorial Garden on Wright’s and Cooper’s Place

In Memory of Lady MacRobert…

King’s Museum

Exhibit

Exhibit

Exhibit

River Dee, Aberdeen

The Dee is one of two major rivers that flow through the City of Aberdeen. It flows past the glorious Duthie Park and culminates in Aberdeen Harbour. These pictures were taken just a little up-river from Duthie Park.

 

Arched Bridge Over Stream

 

View Across the Dee

View towards Allanvale Cemetery

Boathouse

Ducks on the Dee

Three little Ducks…

Downriver…

 

Tree on the Dee

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT TO KELL SMURTHWAITE, JULY 2011

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE ANY OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL AT SMALLISLANDPICS@YAHOO.CO.UK

Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen

Union Terrace Gardens is one hectare in the heart of the city. Standing in the centre of Union Street, you can look down on this pretty little park. Also nearby are His Majesty’s Theatre and the Central Library. I pass this little beauty each night I go to or from work, so these pictures were taken in the early evening and there wasn’t much sun, but I can assure you that when the sun is shining, these gardens glow!

Looking down from Rosemount Viaduct

View from Rosemount Viaduct towards Triple Kirks brick spire

Another view of the spire

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT TO KELL SMURTHWAITE, JULY 2011

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE ANY OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL AT SMALLISLANDPICS@YAHOO.CO.UK

St. Machar’s Cathedral, Aberdeen, Scotland

St. Machar’s Cathedral sits in Old Aberdeen, right next to Seaton Park and the Cruickshank Gardens. The left quarter of William Wallace is buried in the walls!

On this occasion, we only visited the churchyard, but another time we’ll head inside to photograph the interior…

 

History on the Wall

 

Cathedral View

 

In-spire-ing

 

Dark and Light

 

Death of a Mathematician

 

Cross Over

 

Archways

 

In Loving Remembrance Of…

 

To the Other Side

 

Grave Sight

 

Double Crossed

 

Cross View

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT TO KELL SMURTHWAITE, JULY 2011

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE ANY OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL AT SMALLISLANDPICS@YAHOO.CO.UK

Seaton Park, Aberdeen, Scotland

Seaton Park is 27 hectares in Old Aberdeen which stretches right down to the banks of the River Don. It features a children’s play area, playing fields, walled gardens, a woodland walk and stunning formal gardens. Old Aberdeen itself is incredibly picturesque, so this park is the perfect companion to it.

Formal Garden Views

Formal Floral

Central Circle

View Towards St. Machar’s Cathedral

The Fountain

Fountain View 1

Fountain View 2

Floral Close-ups

A Sprinkling of Purple

Pretty Pink

Pale Purple Posies

Pink and White

Golden Lilies

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT TO KELL SMURTHWAITE, JULY 2011

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE ANY OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL AT SMALLISLANDPICS@YAHOO.CO.UK

Duthie Park, Aberdeen, Scotland

Duthie Park is 44 acres in the Ferryhill area of Aberdeen, right down on the bank of the River Dee. It features children’s play areas, playing fields, a canoeing pond, beautiful flower beds and the stunning Winter Gardens, which are housed under glass. There are often events and festivals held in Duthie Park, especially during the summer months, so there’s always something exciting to see.

Pictures taken outside:

Into the wilds…

Wild Flowers

Pictures taken in the Winter Gardens

Coy Koi

Basking Terrapins

Victorian Corridor

Painter’s Palette

Hanging Flowers

Totally Tropical

Pictures taken in the Winter Gardens Courtyard

Pink Courtyard Flowers

Purple Courtyard Flowers

Courtyard Roses

Courtyard Lion

Peace…

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT TO KELL SMURTHWAITE, JULY 2011

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE ANY OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS, PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL AT SMALLISLANDPICS@YAHOO.CO.UK