3-074-595 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Princess Beatrice opening the Duthie Park at Aberdeen, 1883. 'The new park is situated on the banks of the Dee, within two miles of the centre of the city, and comprises forty-seven acres. The value of the ground and cost of laying it out amounted to £70,000. A mound is one of the chief features of the park. Its base occupies a large space, and it rises to a height of 60 ft., with a graduated platform of concrete, 10 ft. high, on which it is intended to erect a monument of Sir William Wallace...The Park will be a great boon to the inhabitants of Aberdeen. It is the third public park in the city, but is larger than the other two combined, and more pleasantly situated...At the park, where many thousand people were assembled, the Princess was received with cordial acclamations. The Hallelujah Chorus was sung by the Choral Union...Miss Duthie, assisted by her commissioner or agent, formally consigned the Park to the Lord Provost and Corporation, and presented to her Royal Highness a silver key, inviting her to declare the Park henceforth open for public enjoyment...It was unfortunately raining hard all this time...Our Illustrations of the scene in Duthie Park were supplied by Mr. G. F. King, of Aberdeen'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.