You can now go up on the roof of the newly done-up Aberdeen Art Gallery. It’s quite nice up there among the green domes of the city. That’s the theatre straight ahead and Union Terrace Gardens (also going through the process of change) to the left.
Arriving on the roof of Aberdeen Art Gallery
I was relieved to arrive up on the roof during my recent visit. I’d displayed distinctly codger-like tendencies until then. Where were the old marble stairs? Why were there new plastic-covered ones instead? How was that an improvement? And what about the fountain and the thing that used to be in the middle of it?
Works of Art
‘The thing’ was on the roof, and I was glad to see it.
Dame Barbara Hepworth
There were other old favourites throughout the gallery too, and photography was allowed everywhere.
Penelope, her milkshake bringing all the boys to the yard:
John William Waterhouse
A lit-up love poem:
Tracey Emin
Then there was a buttery, a local delicacy, a sort of salty, fatty squashed roll. Unfortunately, I did not note the name of the artist.
Visit the official website of Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Kirk of St Nicholas
The Kirk of St Nicholas could be seen from the roof of the gallery. I do seem to see it wherever I go in the city.
I wandered down to the kirkyard before leaving Aberdeen. The grass had obviously not been cut all season, giving the place an unkempt and uncared-for feel. There was a poppy, though. And that was beautiful.
People accused of witchcraft were imprisoned in the old steeple of that kirk long ago, as mentioned in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR.
Taking place mainly in a castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.
See the press release here
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
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Ailish, this is such a heart warming post. Glad to be following your work.
I’m so glad you like it 🙂
Another beautiful journey. Thank you
I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Wow, Ailish! It looks like a splendid place to visit in a magnificent city, and for an art gallery to allow photography is pretty darn nice, in my opinion. Thanks for sharing.
It is good, a real improvement 🙂
The Kirk in the “Mermaid and the Bear” was such a prominent visual image clinging to my imagination since reading it. It was so interesting to see your photos of it, so long after the words. And the art gallery was wonderful also.
The kirk is quite foreboding from outside, at least, I find it to be so. It feels peaceful inside, though.
The poppy makes up for the unkempt and unmowed.
It does. It was strange, though. I’d never seen the place look like that before.
Hello again Ailish,
What a fascinating guide to the museum. I shall have to visit the official site. Interesting too the all too real links to your historical fiction. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Lovely to see the backdrop to your book! We are learning NOT to mow down certain green areas here to encourage butterflies, bees and wild flowers to flourish.
We have patches like that, especially at the sides of roads, planted up with wildflowers. I don’t think that’s what’s happening in Aberdeen. The streets were full of litter too 🙁
I really love that artwork! It must have been amazing to see in person.
It is an enriching experience seeing such great art.
I’m very overdue for some good art. I’ll have to do something soon, though I’m sure it’ll pale in comparison to this great art!
Thanks Ailish – a reminder of how much I love that gallery,.
So much great art to see there.
Hi Ailish, this is beautiful. Love to read your post again after I disappeared for some times
Welcome back 🙂
Thank you
In the vast web’s embrace, a blog that shines,
Ailish, your words dance like sparkling wines.
Thank you for your beautiful words too 🙂