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The Granite Quarries at Rubislaw, near Aberdeen, 1857. Creator: Unknown
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The Granite Quarries at Rubislaw, near Aberdeen, 1857. Creator: Unknown
The Granite Quarries at Rubislaw, near Aberdeen, [Scotland], 1857. The pavement of London, extending through more than 5000 streets, and exceeding 2000 miles in length, is one of our metropolitan marvels; and we rarely see a street area broken up for repair without being reminded how vast are the operations by which the materials are brought from comparative solitudes to be strewed over the busiest haunt of man...One of the vast natural depots is the granite quarries at Rubislaw (pronounced Robsley), within a mile of Aberdeen, which is mostly built of it, and is hence called "the Granite City"...The area already worked is several acres in extent; and from these quarries is procured the grey granite, called Aberdeen granite...Rubislaw quarry is wrought by Messrs. John Gibb and Son, civil engineers, who are engaged in the pavement trade...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857
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Media ID 36336920
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Aberdeen Scotland Building Materials Cliff Cliffs Construction Industry Granite Granite Quarry Quarry
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This black and white wood engraving depicts the expansive Rubislaw granite quarries located just a mile outside Aberdeen, Scotland, in the mid-19th century. The image, published in the Illustrated London News in 1857, showcases the vastness of the quarry, with its steep cliffs and intricate network of excavations. The quarries were a significant source of Aberdeen grey granite, which was extensively used in the construction of Aberdeen, earning it the nickname 'The Granite City.' The scene is described in the accompanying text as one of the 'vast natural depots' supplying the materials for London's pavements, which extended through over 5,000 streets and covered more than 2,000 miles. The Rubislaw quarry, spanning several acres, was being worked by John Gibb and Son, civil engineers, who were prominent figures in the pavement trade. The image captures the industrial spirit of the time, with the quarry's raw beauty contrasting the organized excavation sites and the workers in the foreground. The engraving offers a glimpse into the past, providing a fascinating insight into the origins of one of Scotland's most iconic geographical features and the role it played in the construction industry during the 19th century.
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