Industry

All sectors of industry have a life cycle, the further we go into modern times the shorter that life cycle usually gets. The industrial base of any rejoin is dependent on the supply and demand equation. Why was the farm dam no longer used to store water to power machines? What led to the demise of 200 years of a major woolen manufacturer? Is there opportunity for returning to a past industrial heritage to gain some insight into today's strategic industrial planning?

  1. The use of water power, i.e. the farm dam and the meal mill. See how water was used as a scarce and powerful commodity within rural society. What form of water networks had to be in place before the optimisation of this power could be harnessed by several users. The researchers own neighbours used the same water supply for four farms, before the water was allowed to flow into the natural water course down to the river Don. This feature also show how the water driven meal mill operated.
  2. The development of the hospitality industry. See how this sector of the economy developed from the initial requirements of the early drovers. This was followed by packhorse traders, wheeled transport, the royal mail penny black stamp, the coaching and post house network, the influence of the rail network and the motor car. All this developments built on local food production and the influence of the Classical French Culinary art.
  3. Tourism origins and developments. Aberdeen was seen in the mid 1900s as a premier holiday destination for many fare holidays. Its tourism provision was a leader in its day. The influence made by Queen Victoria and the Spa hotels coupled with the paid holidays and the leisure pursuits of the area made a big contribution to tourism development. The Silver city by the silver sand was a true image reflection since the granite made a clean contrast to the industrial city resident and the miles of clean beach with its beach huts and promenade entertainment facilities made a huge contribution to Aberdeen's tourism industry. This was augmented by the cheap motor car family transport. This trend was greatly influenced by the introduction of Mass package holiday provision to sunny climates. Tourism in the north East has never regained its original position as a premier destination.
  4. The history of the woollen Industry. From a cottage beginning to the last production run of the Crombie Mill and its ultimate closure. Get the whole story of the mill at Crombie and its predecessor from loyal employees who loved the mill and its life. Find out the entire fascinating process of the industry its production processes, plant and impact as a world leader and an employer. Identify with its key products and recognise why it became a causality of synthetic fabrics. The entire life cycle of a major industry is captured in this feature. This is a lesson drawing feature of product life cycle.
  5. The post office and the mail system. Get the story of the post office from one of its most loyal workers. When it started where were the buildings within Aberdeen, how the mail horse drawn coaches operated, what led to the growth of mail delivery, and what coping strategies were introduced. Highway robbery was a feature of mail transportation and steps were taken to protect the mail. Get the comments from the last postmaster of a rural post office as his dated post office was being closed and all services relocated on his retirement.
  6. Fishing industry, past and present. The fishing industry for the North East was a major sector within the economy. Chart the developments of this industry from the sailboat, steamboat to the trawler system. Find out how a fishing community articulated and all the tasks associated with it. What are the superstitions of the sector. What role women played in the herring trade when the fisher quines travelled the UK following the herring shoals at sea working at the Farlings gutting and packaging herring in all types of severe weather during the winter months. Their story is vividly told. Visit Peterhead harbour in 2001 and see the fleet all tied up because they have been forced into catching haddock, which are young stock. 90% of their catch has to be thrown back to sea because they are too small. This government policy is not working. The industry faces another crises.
  7. The impact of the motor trade. How the developments in the rural economy had a spin off benefit for the motor trade and customer choice and provision. However what was the cause and the effect?
  8. The Garlogie Mill. This early weaving mill was one of the first to generate its own electricity and was a growth sector of the local economy.
  9. Footdee and its past Fisher folk. The story of fishing folk in the hamlet of Aberdeen called Fittie. This ex resident's account looks at generations of Fittie's fishing folk. The architecture of this location is strongly featured also. See the old fashioned washhouses of the residents.
  10. The story of Gordons of Alford a rural retailer who was years ahead in retail distribution. See how this rural business recognised a niche in the retail trade and met that need through travelling roadshows of fashion and goods. The product was brought to the market place through promotional influence. Travel with the early Gordons Vans to many parts of Scotland.This feature highlights the innovative ideas, which were common within each community.