[Robert] visited Aberdeen in September 1319, and three months afterwards he rewarded its loyalty by a grant of the burgh itself to the burgesses and community, with the forest of Stocket and all their revenues, subject to a feu-duty of £213, 6s. 8d. (Scots) and reservation of his right of hunting in the forest. The revenues handed over included the lands, mills, fishings, and petty customs of the burgh. This charter of 1319 laid the foundation of the city revenues known as the Common Good. Henceforth no person, "of whatsoever condition or rank he be," was in any way to interfere with or take cognisance of the administration of their revenues by the burgesses and community. (from the History of Aberdeen and Banff, William Watt, 1900).
The terra cotta statue on Simpson's building for the 'North of Scotland Bank' (1839-42) was by his friend James Giles, and was in appreciation of agricultural improvement in the northeast. It is a representation of the Greek 'mother-earth' goddess Demeter (adopted as Ceres in later Roman mythology).