Old Aberdeen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Aberdeen
|
|
|---|---|
 Arms of Old Aberdeen |
|
 Old Aberdeen
|
|
| OS grid reference | NJ939082 |
| Council area |
|
| Lieutenancy area |
|
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ABERDEEN |
| Postcode district | AB24 |
| Dialling code | 01224 |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Scottish Parliament |
|
| Website | oldaberdeen.org.uk |
Old Aberdeen is a special part of Aberdeen in Scotland. It used to be a separate town, called a burgh, which means it had its own government. This happened way back on December 26, 1489.
Later, in 1891, Old Aberdeen became part of the bigger city of Aberdeen. This change was made official by a special law from the Scottish Parliament. Even today, it still feels like its own unique place.
The town's motto is "concordia res parvae crescunt". This is Latin and means "through harmony, small things increase." It's a good reminder that working together helps things grow!
Contents
Where is Old Aberdeen Located?
Old Aberdeen is found just north of Aberdeen city centre. For a long time, it was quite separate from the rest of the city. To its north, you'd find the River Don, Seaton Park, and a tiny village called Brig o' Balgownie.
However, since the 1960s, and especially after the North Sea oil boom in the 1970s, many new houses have been built around Old Aberdeen. A large housing area called Tillydrone is now very close by.
A Quick Look at Old Aberdeen's History
Old Aberdeen was a very important place for politics, religion, and culture for many centuries. It was different from New Aberdeen, which was more about business. These two cities stayed separate until 1891.
In the 1630s, a group called the Covenanters challenged some important thinkers from Aberdeen. This led to the first battle of the Bishops' Wars. A Covenanter army of 9,000 men marched to attack forces at the Bridge of Dee. They took control of Old Aberdeen during this time.
What Makes Old Aberdeen Special?
The heart of Old Aberdeen is a protected area. It has many old buildings, some from the Middle Ages. Many other buildings from the 17th to early 19th centuries are built from local grey granite. You might notice that some of the newer old buildings use handmade bricks for parts like gables. This was unusual in Scotland at that time. Many streets are still paved with stone blocks called setts. There are also some modern university buildings from the late 20th century.
Old Aberdeen is basically the main home of the University of Aberdeen. Many homes and shops here are owned by the university or by its staff and students. You can also find a small police station, a pub, and a bakery in the area.
Before the university arrived in 1495, St Machar's Cathedral was the main building here. Its old church buildings formed the original Old Aberdeen.
Some of the most famous old buildings in Old Aberdeen include:
- The King's College Chapel, built in the late 1400s. It has a unique "crown" spire, which is rare in Scotland. It also has the largest collection of medieval wood carvings in any Scottish building.
- St Machar's Cathedral itself.
- The Old Town House, built in the early 1700s, which has been carefully restored.
- The Brig o' Balgownie, a bridge from the 1300s. It's now only for people walking and is one of Scotland's oldest bridges.
How Old Aberdeen is Governed
Old Aberdeen is now fully part of the Aberdeen City council area. This means the Aberdeen City Council is its local government. However, Old Aberdeen still has its own community council. This group helps local people have a say in what happens in their area.
For local elections, Old Aberdeen is part of a larger area called 'Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen'. This area chooses three councillors to represent it.
For national elections, Old Aberdeen is part of the Aberdeen North area. This area chooses one person to be a Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK Parliament. For Scottish Parliament elections, it's part of the Aberdeen Central area. This area chooses one Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).
Cool Places to Visit in Old Aberdeen
King's College and the University Campus
The famous buildings of King's College are a major landmark in Old Aberdeen. King's College is now surrounded by the larger Old Aberdeen campus of the University of Aberdeen. This campus is the main hub for the university.
The area has two museums:
- King's Museum: This museum shows different exhibits from the university's collections.
- Zoology Museum: This museum is home to the university's collection of natural history items, like animal skeletons and specimens.
The Old Town House
The Old Town House was finished in 1789. It was the original building for the town's local government. It was also the main place for trading in Old Aberdeen. You can still see where the street widens for market stalls. A special stone cross called the mercat cross stands outside. The building is made of granite and has a lovely design with a dome on top. The university bought it recently and fixed it up in 2005. Today, the Old Town House is home to King's Museum.
St Machar's Cathedral
St Machar's Cathedral is a very important church in Aberdeen. After a big change in Scotland called the Reformation, it became part of the Church of Scotland.
Cruickshank Botanic Gardens
The Cruickshank Botanic Gardens were given to the University of Aberdeen and opened in 1898. These gardens cover about 11 acres (45,000 square meters). They are open to the public, and you can visit them for free!
The Powis Gates
Just south of King's College, across the High Street, you'll find the Powis Gates. These are very impressive and grand archways. They have a unique look, with towers that remind you of buildings from the Middle East. Hugh Fraser Leslie of Powis, who owned land behind them, built them in 1834. You can see the Fraser Leslie family's coat of arms on one side of the arch. On the other side, there's a shield with three black men. This might be a link to the family freeing their enslaved people in Jamaica. Today, the gates lead to university student housing.
Seaton Park
To the north of Old Aberdeen is Seaton Park. It's one of the biggest open spaces in the city. The park is right next to the River Don. It covers about 27 hectares (67 acres). The city bought it in 1947 so everyone could enjoy it.
Images for kids
-
Alexander Nasmyth, Old Aberdeen, around 1808
-
James Coutts Michie, Old Aberdeen From The South West, around 1875–1899
-
William Mosman, Old Aberdeen, around 1725–1749
-
James Cassie, View of St Machar's from the River Don
