Aberdeen: After the Black Goldrush

Available for over a year

Michael Gove was born and raised into a changing Aberdeen. Where the city had once relied on traditional industries such as fishing, farming, and granite quarrying, by the 1970’s, life dramatically changed with the discovery of oil 110 miles off the coast of the Granite City. Using first person testimony from the University of Aberdeen “Lives in the Oil Industry” oral history project, Michael delves into exactly how Aberdeen changed with its newfound wealth. From large scale social and economic changes, to how families and individual adapted to a very different way of life. Plus, how the story of Aberdeen had a major impact on the wider UK economy. Charting over 50 years of the oil industry, Michael examines the rise and fall of this corner of Scotland, as it battled boom and bust, and how a shift towards green energy might impact the future of his home city. Presented by Michael Gove Produced by Emily Esson Audio mixing by Murray Collier With thanks to The University of Aberdeen, and their “Lives in the Oil Industry” oral history project. Featuring BBC archive from: Around Scotland – Aberdeen (1959) Man Alive: Aberdeen: The New Texas? (1972) The Energy File – The New Frontier (1977) Panorama (1986) Question Time – Aberdeen (2024)