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black plaque · Aberdeen

Elizabeth Crombie Duthie

Photograph at the Elizabeth Crombie Duthie black plaque
Photograph via Wikipedia (Duthie Park, CC BY-SA).

This memorial commemorates Elizabeth Crombie Duthie, a significant figure in Aberdeen's history. Born in 1816 and passing away in 1885, she is remembered for a notable act of philanthropy. In 1881, Elizabeth Duthie acquired a substantial plot of land, comprising 44 acres, and subsequently donated it to the City of Aberdeen. This generous gift was intended to honour the memory of both her uncle and her brother, leading to the creation of Duthie Park. The plaque specifically notes her residence at this location.

The memorial reflects a tradition of civic benefaction, where private individuals contributed to public amenities. Elizabeth Duthie's donation in 1881 provided a significant green space for the community. The land for Duthie Park was purchased from the Arthurseat estate for £30,000, illustrating the scale of her contribution. The park itself is located near the River Dee and was once bordered by the Deeside Railway, which now forms the start of the Deeside Way long-distance path. This setting highlights the area's historical connections to both nature and transport infrastructure.

Visitors can find this black plaque in Aberdeen, specifically at 34 Maberley Street. The plaque is situated at a location where Elizabeth Crombie Duthie resided, allowing for a direct connection to her life and legacy. This residential setting provides a quiet opportunity to reflect on her generosity and the lasting impact of Duthie Park, which remains a cherished public space within the city. Observing the memorial offers a moment to appreciate the historical figures who shaped Aberdeen's urban landscape.

Inscription

“Elizabeth Crombie Duthie 1816-1885 Who resided here and donated Duthie Park to The City of Aberdeen”
Transcribed from the black plaque at 34 Maberley Street.

Background

Duthie Park offers a tranquil green space in Aberdeen, Scotland, found in the Ferryhill district close to the River Dee. This extensive parkland, covering 44 acres, was gratefully received by the council in 1881. It was a generous gift from Elizabeth Crombie Duthie of Ruthrieston, who wished to commemorate her uncle and brother. The land itself was acquired for £30,000 from the Arthurseat estate.

The former Deeside Railway once bordered the northern boundary of the park. Today, this historic route forms the foundation for the Deeside Way, a popular long-distance walking and cycling path, giving visitors a connection to the area's past.

Original summary by TributeLegacy, informed by public sources.

Source: Open Plaques. Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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