A Winter Wedding in Aberdeen

A fortnight ago, CC and I were on the train to Aberdeen. We got on the 12.45 train from Coventry to Birmingham New Street where we found out that the Virgin train to Glasgow was cancelled due to the floods. Luckily, we were allocated the Crosscountry Train to Edinburgh, stopping at every train station along the way. A long 5 hours.

I spent the time doing Sudoku and taking photographs of every station that we stopped. Unfortunately, none turned up due to the reflections from the window. We arrived in Edinburgh and waited for the train to Aberdeen, another 2.5 hours of sitting. It was quite ironic that our train was cancelled due to the floods. We’d not encountered a single drop along the way. Allah was looking after us. Thanks…

We reached Aberdeen at about 10pm. The street was buzzing and alive. We nipped to a nearby chippy for a hot drink and a plate of chips to warm our cockles. We took a taxi to the Aberdeen Northern Hotel which will be our home for the next 2 days. It was built in 1939 in Art Deco style and was an A listed building. From the outside it has all the original features.

As soon as we reached our very cosy room, I called Babe and had a quick shower. CC and I watched tv and found out about the devastation over Cumbria and that a policemen had died in the floods. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and everyone who has been flooded. After finishing my hot chocolate, I was gone. Bonne nuit!!!

We were woken by the sound of schreeching seagulls. We’d a quick shower and came down for breakfast. KS’s dad introduced himself and we’d a nice chat. We also met the other guests who were attending the wedding. After a lovely Scottish breakfast of vegetarian sausages, fried eggs, potato bread, mushrooms and tomatoes, smothered with baked beans, CC and I went our separate ways.

I walked to the Old Aberdeen quarter, an independent burgh until 1891. It still retained an olde worlde charm with its narrow closes, beautifully preserved medieval cobbled streets and picturesque examples of architecture. At its heart is the 500 year old Kings College with its distinctive crown style roof.

Just south of King's College and across the High Street lie the Powis Gates, an impressive and imposing archway with a Near Eastern influence demonstrated in its minaret towers. These were erected in 1834 by Hugh Fraser Leslie of Powis. The Arms are visible on the obverse of the arch, with a shield on the reverse showing the bust of three black men - a link to the family's involvement in a grant of freedom made to their slaves in Jamaica. The entrance leads to the University's Crombie-Johnston Halls of Residence.

From here, I took a taxi to Marischal College, the 2nd largest granite building in the world and the tallest building in Aberdeen. What a let down when I discovered that it was covered with scaffolding. The building was undergoing extensive interior renovation to provide office space. It will be the City Council's new corporate HQ.

The college was founded in 1593 by the fourth earl Marischal, and was said to have co-existed as a separate Protestant university from the Catholic King’s College. It was a building of two styles : A. Marshall Mackenzie’s ‘perpendicular Neo-gothic west front (1890’s) and Archibald Simpson’s earlier more austere architecture (1837). Simpson’s older huge four-winged edifice was built of Rubislaw stone and the modern gothic was from Kemnay granite.

Across the road, was Aberdeen’s second oldest-surviving private house, the Provost Skene House. It was built in 1593 and became the residence of Provost John Ross of Arnage in 1702. It looked out of place, surrounded by the modern but uninteresting council buildings. Now, I know why they were moving into Marischal…

This house full of foreign visitors when I was there. Unfortunately, photography wasn’t allowed. The best bit of this house was the painted ceilings which contains religious tempera paintings from the mid-seventeenth century showing scenes from the life of Christ.

From here, I walked along the main street, the famous Granite Mile, a gateway to over 800 shops. But I was more interested in the sights. Aberdeen’s architecture was known for its principal use during the Victorian era of granite, which led to its nickname of the Granite City. There were soo many interesting buildings with interesting features. There was the impressive turreted Town House, the castellated Citadel and in the middle of the square was this Mercat Cross.

It stood in an open cobbled area called Castlegate – where the city’s castle once stood. This late seventeenth century sandstone Cross, carved with a ‘gallery of Stewart sovereigns’. It was a market cross only found in Scotland cities and towns where trade and commerce was a part of economic life. It was originally a place where merchants would gather, and later became the focal point of many town events such as executions, announcements and proclamations.

Then it was time to return to the hotel to get ready for the church service. I wore a traditional Malay costume, a Baju Kebaya Labuh, a gift from my Aunt Ruby. Thank you. We waited with the other guests for the bus ride to the Queens Cross Parish Church.

Outside the beautiful church, a photographer was waiting to photograph the wedding guests. A sudden gust of wind suddenly appeared when it was our turn. We were the centre of attraction as we were laughing and trying to keep our clothes and hair in order. Couldn’t wait to see those pictures…

At 1.30pm, the beautiful bride made her entrance on the arms of her proud dad. We sang ‘Morning has broken’ before the marriage vows were said. What a lovely couple they made. The heavens opened as soon as the newly-married couple stepped out of the church’s entrance. Everyone rushed into the church again and another photography session took place.

We left the church and headed back to the hotel where we were greeted by the haunting sounds of the bag-pipes. The piper was standing on the balcony in the rain!!! What a nice touch. We were ushered into the bar for a complimentary drink and to socialise. By that time, CC and I were so exhausted that we went to our room for a siesta.

We came down, just in time to be ushered into the ballroom which boasts the only violin shaped hall with one of the largest dance floors in Aberdeen. We gave the new Mr & Mrs Clifford a thunderous welcome as they made their entrance. Speeches and toasts were given and made. We’d a lovely Scottish wedding meal and I was the only vegetarian. But they treated me well. I’d my own personalised tomato and goat cheese tart with plenty of salad and minty new potatoes. Delish!!!

After the cutting of the cake and throwing the bridal bouquet, the tables were cleared for a long night of ceilidh. The music was cheerful and lively. Short instructional session was provided for new dancers before the start of the dance itself. CC enjoyed herself as she was very familiar with the steps. I didn’t participate as the dance was too energetic for me and spent the night chatting with the other guests and taking photographs.

I left at about 10pm and had an early night. On Sunday morning, we met KS and hubby for breakfast. We’d a lovely time catching up and exchanging news. They are off to China for their honeymoon. I hoped they’d a wonderful time and made beautiful memories together.

We checked out at 11 am. Since we were early we left our luggage at the locker room and browsed at the newest shopping complex in Aberdeen. Nothing new. I decided to walk to the harbour which was just opposite the railway station. Aberdeen Harbour Board, established in 1136, was Britain's oldest business. This historic harbour was a primary driving force behind the growth of Aberdeen's prominent fishing industry in the early 20th century. Today, the harbour was a centre of activity for the offshore oil and gas industry's marine support operations in North-west Europe. I spotted these huge liners, tankers and fishing vessels and they were gigantous.

We got on the 1.50 Virgin train to Edinburgh. Since it was still daylight, I took loads of photographs of the lovely, rugged coastline. I really, really missed the sea. At Edinburgh Haymarket, CC grabbed something from M&S while I ordered a BK veggie burger meal and made a quick dash to the train.We quickly demolished our dinner and settled down for the long ride. We changed trains at Wolverhampton and arrived in Coventry at about 9pm. It was good to be back. I’m not going on a train for a very long time.