Old photos of Aberdeen in January: Tivoli bingo, Big Country and blizzards

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By Gbam Godwin

Old photos of Aberdeen in January: Tivoli bingo, Big Country and blizzards.

Our historical images of past January days in Aberdeen show a sprinkle of snow, but also fresh beginnings such as Linksfield Academy, Hogmanay antics, Big Country, and bingo at the Tivoli.Kirstie Waterston

Unsurprisingly, several of our vintage photographs from January in Aberdeen show snow, so the disrupted start to 2026 is not uncommon in the northeast.

Some readers may remember the winter of 1981–1982, when Arctic air brought a prolonged cold spell to the region.

On January 10, 1982, temperatures at Braemar plummeted to -27.2°C.

Transport lines to the village were severed, and a touring bus was stuck as its diesel froze.

1982: A mum struggles with her pushchair in the snow on Union Street at the start of 1982. Image: DC Thomson

Although not as cold, Aberdeen received an impressive amount of snow, making conditions difficult for vehicles, walkers, and buggies alike.

We prefer to believe that schools did not close ‘back in the day,’ but blizzard conditions closed scores of schools just days after returning from the Christmas break in 1982.

 

In addition to a few snow photographs, our archive photos document other aspects of Aberdeen life over the years.

Another eclectic collection of photographs, this time ranging from new beginnings with the development of Linksfield Academy to old traditions like salmon fishing on the Dee.

Gallery: Looking back at archive photos of life in Aberdeen in January

Clarence Cowie of Pittodrie Street and Mary Eden of Pittodrie Place welcomed the new year with a dram of House of Commons Whiskey in 1989. They were at the Pittodrie Community Centre Hogmanay Party, when the whisky was provided by South Aberdeen MP Frank Doran. Image: DC Thomson.
1987: Powis residents Gary Cross, Elizabeth Mulvey, Eric Fraser, Gladys Findlay and Natalie Fairclough hit out at the bad reputation of their estate. They were angry and upset their community had failed to shake off the badly-tarnished image it had been labelled with over many years. Image: DC Thomson
1965: Right hand turn – this van nearly collided with a bus by taking the corner too fine at the T-junction of Cummings Park Crescent, Granitehill Road and Quarry Road. Image: DC Thomson
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1989: Angry Castlegate traders who lost a great deal of business were, from left, Jim Reid, of the Carlton Bar; George Booth, of the Clachan Bar, Fabrizio Necchi, of La Lombarda; Brian McCall, of McCalls; Edwin Bicocchi, of the Premier Grill, and Bill McKenna, of the Freelands. Image: DC Thomson
1985: The seating area of the modern canteen with the kitchen and serving area in the background at Linksfield Academy. Image: DC Thomson
1984: Parents of these 17 youngsters were at the regimental HQ of the Gordon Highlanders at Viewfield Road, Aberdeen, before the lads headed for the Scottish Infantry Depot at Bridge of Don and a career with the regiment. The boys were, from left, Calum Moir; Graeme Allan; Aaron Buchan; Eddie Collie; Michael Stuart; John Coxton; Paul Baxter; Ian Mackie; William Quire; Garry Sinclair; Ronald Christie; Ronald Ewing; Christopher Low; David Hendry; David Abel; Lelsie Foreman, and Garry Ewen. Image: DC Thomson
1976: The mound at Tullos Circle with the original frontage of Torry Academy behind. It was to be levelled to allow the building of a new three-storey extension, linked by a corridor across the present road to the old school. Image: DC Thomson
1993: The thrill of the bingo hall lures thousands to the popular numbers game week in week out at the Tivoli. Image: DC Thomson
1984: Finding the going tough in Craigiebuckler, the Norco milkman dug himself out of the deep snow as one of his customers lends a hand. Image: DC Thomson
1968: The official opening of Munro’s Tourist Agency’s new premises in Union Street. Image: DC Thomson
1999: A boarded-up Westburn House looking sorry for itself. Image: DC Thomson
1970: In the spacious swimming pool of the Physical Education Building which occupies the lowest part of the ground in the campus of Aberdeen’s new College of Education at Hilton. Image: DC Thomson
1990: If it was a quieter Hogmanay for many in the north-east it certainly wasn’t for the Filthy McNasty’s Formation drinking team from Aberdeen. They saw the New Year in with tens of thousands of others along the Berlin Wall and returned today from their trip in which they saw history in the making. Pictured at Aberdeen Airport, from left, Stuart Johnstone, Dave Petrie, Richard Fromholc, Andy Bruce, Davie Henderson and Derek Gray. Image: DC Thomson
1989: Big Country bassist Tony Butler, left, and frontman Stuart Adamson in action at the Capital in Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson
1963: Aberdeen v Dundee at Pittodrie showing the only goal of the match, Winchester, Cox the left back and keeper Slater watch the ball go into the back of the net. Image: DC Thomson
1979: A change of work for the salmon fishermen who manned the boat beside Victoria Bridge as they got stuck in with pick and shovel, clearing debris and weeds at the side of the River Dee. They were making room for their nets at the start of the salmon season which opened in February. From left, John Hay, Joe Black, Alexander Morgan and George Constable. Image: DC Thomson
1977: Joseph Smart, second barman in The Grill, Union Street, Aberdeen, pours a ‘nip’ of Glenavon whisky to warm  up on a cold winter’s evening. Image: DC Thomson

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