We were edging our car warily out of a little lane opposite the university cloisters which sit like a jewel beside College Bounds in Old Aberdeen.

A drab wet Saturday afternoon, but it’s a breathtaking location around King’s College whatever the weather.

The students were still away so you’d only expect to see a man and his dog.

We were laughing because I had run out of my “driving toffees”, which I keep in a plastic container next to the gear stick; I tell my wife they are essential for keeping my eye on the road.

But our attention was diverted by a coach which had pulled up and lots of people were pouring out.

Clearly tourists, and probably from one of cruise ships which have really put Aberdeen on the map in the last couple of years.

It was wonderful to see this transformation taking place and long may it continue; it’s also given Old Aberdeen something new.

A pavement poster promoting the Old Aberdeen Whisky Festival in October at nearby Elphinstone Hall seemed to confirm this.

It was an encouraging street scene and one worth nurturing.

City centre revamp is finally taking shape

Similar to looking after another antiquarian treasure – Union Street in the city centre, where I have to say I was impressed by the new scene taking shape after so much building-work trauma.

On a recent visit I could see a........

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