These four prints were originally taken by Wilson and Hay between March and October 1854. They include the old castle prior to its demolition in 1856 and the construction of the new castle. In 1852, Aberdeen architect William Smith was commissioned to design a new castle; its construction began during the summer of 1853 and Wilson and Hay were commissioned by the prince to record its progress. The photographs on the right show the luminosity of the new building’s fresh granite blocks, which would turn grey over time.