Farm Photos

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Farm Photos

I found myself with a large selection of farm photographs, predominantly of Mains of Portlethen, through some of my old family connections. Rather than explain the history of any local farms I'll let the photographs in the gallery tell their own story - with added notes where necessary.

Mains of Portlethen Farm was in the hands of the Walker family for many generations and it wasn't until the 1930's that it was sold to the Shand family. The farm today is still owned by the Shand family. Many of the photos in the section relate to the early 20th century when the farm was owned by George J. Walker or his son, Colonel Robert Walker.

Additionally there are a handful of other photos relating to farms scattered around the district - every picture has an accompanying caption of where that farm is/was and a date if the date is known.

Mains of Portlethen, about 1900

A view of the farm from near Hillies looking northeastward with Findon in the background.

Mains of Portlethen - early 1900's

Cattleman John Spence (my Great Grandfather) pictured with one of the Walkers prize winning bulls.

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Willie Spence, my Great Uncle, also worked at Mains of Portlethen

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Bob Spence, my Great Uncle, also worked at Mains of Portlethen

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Willie Spence, my Great Uncle, also worked at Mains of Portlethen

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - about 1910

Mains of Portlethen - 1920's

Cattleman John Spence (my Great Grandfather)

Baillie's House at Mains of Portlethen - 1994

Mains of Portlethen - 1994

England Farm - early 1900's

England Farm-1930's

Jimmy Milne & family at England Farm

England Farm -1930's

Jimmy Milne at England Farm

Road to England Farm - 1994

This road from Portlethen Village will lead you past England Farm, Wairds Farm and the rebuilt mill house at Nether Wairds before you arrive at Downies one mile later.

Findon Farm - early 1900's

Findon Farm - early 1900's

Whitebruntland Farm - 1970's or early 1980's

The top three quarters of this picture, west of the railway line, is now filled by a prime part of Portlethen (which is already beginning to creep into view). Today the same aerial view would include plenty of housing, the swimming pool, Portlethen Academy and most of its playing fields.

Whitebruntland Farm - 1970's or early 1980's

Whitebruntland Farm used to be located where Downies Court is situated in Portlethen today. The only things that remain unchanged are the bridge over the railway and the farmhouse at the top left of the the picture.

Man with Scythe at Downies

A copy of a drawing of an early "land" or farm worker somewhere near Downies Village.

Portlethen Smiddy - 1916

This isn't a farm however most of the work carried out in the smiddy in this era would have been related to agriculture.

Farm life near Downies - possibly 1940's/1950's.

Farm life near Downies - possibly 1940's/1950's.

Farm life near Downies - possibly 1940's/1950's.