Needle's Eye

Waves breaking over the South breakwater.

The former gun emplacement that protected Aberdeen harbour until WWII: Link .

The classroom blinds add a nice bit of colour to this iconic 1930s art deco building, but the rusting metal and crumbling mortar are concerning... B-listed: Link .

...through Greenbank industrial estate. The fly tipping and rotting rubbish absolutely everywhere make it look like a third-world slum. In the background rather 'boxy' 1960s houses on the steep hillside of Balnagask and behind them, Victorian villas in Torry.

...on the hillside above Greenbank industrial estate.

...at the top of Tullos Hill: Link . Girdleness Lighthouse is just visible in the distance.

General view from the south-east. 'In 1858 agreement was reached to build coastal batteries on the beach and on Torry Point, in part against the background of the perceived threat of Napoleon III of France. Construction of the Torry Point Battery began in 1859 and was completed in March 1861. It was to be manned by a unit of the new volunteer defence forces, the 1st Aberdeenshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) being formed for the purpose on 24 October 1860. The battery was initially armed with nine heavy guns (six 68-pounders and three 10-inch shell guns) but in September 1861 two 200-pound Armstrong guns (the heaviest of the day) were added. Drill formally began the same month. In 1895 the battery was partially dismantled, the guns and mountings being returned to store in Leith. The battery remained in use for volunteer training until 1904 when it was reconstructed, two new 6-inch mark VII guns on CP mark II mountings being installed. This work took two years, at a cost of £5640. The battery was permanently occupied during both world wars, and retained its guns throughout the interwar period, when it was also used as temporary accommodation during periods of housing shortage. During the Second World War, the battery was manned by army and Home Guard personnel of various units. The guns were given concrete overhead protection against air attack, while anti-aircraft gins and searchlights were also installed, while a combined military and naval plotting room was constructed in 1943. The heavy guns were used just once, against two vessels later found to be friendly, on the night of 3 June 1941, while the machine guns of the battery engaged an enemy aircraft later in the same year. Between 1945 and 1953, the battery was again used as temporary accommodation. The guns were removed in 1956 and the battery fell into disrepair. Demolition was proposed, as was conversion into a hotel, but neither scheme was implemented. Comprehensive renovation works were carried out in the early 1970's, a car park being laid out and the retaining walls reinstated. The battery and surrounding area are of considerable ornithological interest.' (Information from Aberdeen City Council)

Looking down onto the parade ground of the battery with, from left to right, the gateway, the guard room and gun emplacements. Built in 1860, it was to defend Aberdeen, and up until 1953 it was it was the main coastal defence for Aberdeen from its natural vantage point. During World War I, it was manned on a permanent basis and this continued during the inter-war years. In World War II it was adapted for modern warfare. Concrete covers for the guns were constructed over the guns to protect from dive bombers. Anti-aircraft guns and searchlights were installed and it was staffed by City of Liverpool Battalion of the Royal Artillery. In 1941, two direct hits from 500lb bombs killed two soldiers. The battery guns engaged a German fighter plane which came down in flames over St Cyrus. Heavy guns opened fire on an unidentified ship entering the harbour, but this turned out to be a friendly vessel and was luckily unharmed. After the war the battery and the surrounding nissen huts were used as emergency accommodation for a number of homeless families. The last family left in 1953. After this the battery was abandoned.

Built in 1833 by Robert Stevenson, Girdleness Lighthouse is a handsome tapering tower and was considered the best lighthouse seen by the Royal Commission in their report of 1860. It is a Category A listed building. Link

Also looking towards the south breakwater of Aberdeen Harbour.

The church was consecrated in 1242 and the ruins we see today probably contain elements of that earlier church as well as evidence of later 17th and 18th century rebuilding. None of the gravestones are earlier than the 17th century. St Fittick's Church was last used in 1829.

The bridge carries a minor road across the railway between Aberdeen and Stonehaven railway stations. Someone seems to believe this is a peace bridge!

The RNLB 'BP Forties' 54-05, a 54ft Arun Class lifeboat, with the previous lifeboat, RNLB 'Ramsey – Dyce', a 52ft Barnett Class lifeboat behind. This was the day of the inauguration of the new boat in 1976. The Category A listed Girdleness Lighthouse, dating from 1833 is in the distance.

This is one of very few places along this coast where it is possible both to beach a boat and to get up the cliff. It is, however, very exposed to the east so wouldn't provide much shelter in an easterly. There is a slipway of sorts, with a system of wires for hauling boats out of the water. See NJ9602 : A Contraption

The white building seems to be a store belonging to the house nearby, but beside it is what seems to be the top part of a system for hauling boats out of the sea below. See NJ9602 : Burnbanks Haven.