Union Street, Aberdeen


Union Street is a major street and shopping thoroughfare in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is named after the Acts of Union 1800 with Ireland.
The street is approximately one mile long and a feat of engineering skill involving the partial levelling of St. Catherine's Hill and the building of arches to carry the street over Putachieside.
The Denburn Valley was crossed by Union Street by Union Bridge. The Union Street holds the record of the 'Worlds largest single span granite bridge' at across.

History

Union Street was built to relieve the strain of the small, cramped streets that caused problems for people coming into the city. It was built higher than the old town and was designed to include the five entrances from the city: Queens Road - Rubislaw from Hazelhead; George Street from Inverurie and Morayshire; King Street from the north from Bridge Of Don, Peterhead and Fraserburgh; Market Street, which leads to the fishing town of Torry; and Holburn Street to the Ruthrieston and Garthdee areas.
The street was designed in the beginning of the 19th century under plans suggested by Charles Abercrombie and nearly bankrupted the city. The Denburn River still runs under Union Bridge but has been covered over by a dual carriageway road.
Work began in May 2020 to partially pedestrianise the street and to widen the pavements. The street will be completely pedestrianised between Bridge Street and Market Street, with buses routed through Guild Street instead.

Shops and markets

Some of the large shops on or accessed directly from Union Street are Marks and Spencer, HMV, Waterstones, Mostyn Mckenzie, Cruise, AllSaints, Lakeland, Debenhams and Sports Direct.
The street was home to Bruce Miller's notable musical instrument shop until June 2011, when it closed.
Shopping centres include the St Nicholas & Bon Accord and the Trinity Shopping Centre. In addition there are bars and a number of nightclubs on the street, a former cinema building, and a grand façade fronting the churchyard of the Kirk of St. Nicholas.
Jamie Oliver also opened an Italian restaurant in the former Esslemont & Mackintosh department store sometime in 2013, however this closed in January 2017.
In 2012, HSBC opened its biggest Scottish branch on the street. Pret A Manger also opened.
The street used to be closed sometimes for the Saturday International Market until it was moved to Union Terrace, which runs at right angles from approximately halfway along Union Street. In the runup to Christmas, elaborate Christmas lights are displayed on gantries above and across the street. A ceremony is usually held to mark the illumination of these lights.

Granite Mile

The Granite Mile is a local name for the long stretch of road that encompasses Union Street. Granite Mile begins at the Castlegate, and the Mercat Cross, near Justice Street. It follows the length of Union Street to Holburn Junction.