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St Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen

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St Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, showing the east window of 1840s, replaced in 1882.

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Print of Old Aberdeen drawn by John Slezer. General view with the Crown Tower of King's College and the spires of St Machar's Cathedral in the distance. The small building in the right foreground was the Snow Church - St Mary ad Nives - which was demolished in the 1600's, although part of the burial ground survives.

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Skyline of Old Aberdeen, showing King's College

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This image from the Spital looks downhill (northwards) and shows College Bounds. The Powis Gate Towers, near the junction with University Road, can be seen in the distance. Many thanks to Silver City Vault user A. G. Duthie for flagging up the image's previous inaccurate description.

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The University of Aberdeen's King's College Chapel in Old Aberdeen during winter. King's College, named for King James IV, was founded in 1495. The Chapel is considered, along with the Ivy Tower, to be one of the oldest surviving parts of the university. It dates from about 1498 - 1509.

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King's College, Old Aberdeen, showing the Crown Tower of King's College Chapel.

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King's College, Old Aberdeen, showing the Crown Tower of King's College Chapel.

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Interior of King's College Chapel, University of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen, c.1900. King's College was founded by Bishop William Elphinstone under a Papal Bull issued by Pope Alexander VI on 10th February 1495. Marischal College was founded as an independent university in 1593 and the two became the University of Aberdeen in the Fusion of 1860. Work began on the College in 1500 and it took 6 years to complete the Chapel. This photograph shows the interior looking west, showing Bishop Stewart's pulpit on the right, through the nave and choir to the choir stalls and rood screen, with the antechapel behind it. Non-residents entered through the west door and occupied the antechapel, while students entered from the College Library via a special staircase within the rood screen. The central gallery of the screen is still used to house the organ. The 52 choir stalls, commissioned by Elphinstone, are "a unique survival as well as the finest of their king in Scotland". The finely panelled Renaissance pulpit of William Stewart (Bishop 1532-1545) bears his coat of arms and was originally in use in St. Machar's Cathedral. The timber ceiling was constructed soon after 1506 and was probably designed by John Fendour. It consists of a diagonal arrangement of ribs and widely spreading foliage sprigs radiating from centre bosses. The choir stalls and ceiling both show a strong Flemish influence. The Chapel is still in use today for University services and is a popular marriage venue for graduates.

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Powis Gateway, Old Aberdeen. These curious towers stand at the gate leading to Powis Lodge, almost opposite King's College, Old Aberdeen. They were constructed by John Leslie of Powis, who succeeded his father, Hugh Leslie of Powis, the builder of Powis House (1802). John Leslie succeeded his father in 1812, and the singular gateway, with the "minarets", dates from about 1830. The towers were finished in 1834. The crescent on the top of one of the towers is the crest of the Frasers, the predecessors of the Leslies in the property of Powis."

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King's College, High Street, Old Aberdeen, showing the Crown Tower of King's College Chapel

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Powis Gateway, Old Aberdeen. These curious towers stand at the gate leading to Powis Lodge, almost opposite King's College, Old Aberdeen. They were constructed by John Leslie of Powis, who succeeded his father, Hugh Leslie of Powis, the builder of Powis House (1802), which was demolished in connection with the Powis Housing Scheme. John Leslie succeeded his father in 1812, and the singular gateway, with the "minarets", dates from about 1830. The towers were finished in 1834. The crescent on the top of one of the towers is the crest of the Frasers, the predecessors of the Leslies in the property of Powis."

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Don Street, Old Aberdeen, showing the spire of the Old Town House, High Street, Old Aberdeen in the background. Signed SFC, Susan Crawford.

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King's College, University of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen, showing the Crown Tower of King's College Chapel. Signed W.F.W.

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Mitchell's Hospital is situated in the Chanonry not far from St. Machar's Cathedral in Old Aberdeen. It was founded and endowed in 1801 by David Mitchell, a native of Old Aberdeen. It was set up for the purpose of lodging, clothing and maintaining five widows and five unmarried daughters of Old Aberdeen merchants. The women who lived there dressed in deep blue, and those who were able to earn some money from spinning or knitting were expected to give half to the hospital. The building is of one storey in the shape of a letter 'H' with a central refectory for breakfast. Depending on the cost of beef, dinner was boiled beef and greens two or three times a week, otherwise they had fish or eggs. The building has now been reconstructed into four separate dwellings.

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The Old Town House, High Street, Old Aberdeen, prior to the construction of St Machar Drive. This Georgian Town House was built in 1788, by George Jaffrey, architect. Solid and symmetrical, it stands three storeys high under a piended slate roof with a central pediment and clock turret topped by a cupola. Over the entrance door is a freestone panel displaying the burgh coat-of-arms, dated 1721, wtih the Latin motto "Concordia res parvae crescunt" - By harmony small things increase.

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King's College, University of Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen, showing the Crown Tower of King's College Chapel

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The tomb of Bishop Gavin Dunbar at St Machars Cathedral, Aberdeen. Gavin Dunbar was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen on 5th November 1518 and died on 9th March 1532. He became a great benefactor not only of King's College, but of the town. It was he who took over the plans left after the death of Bishop Elphinstone and created the Bridge of Dee which opened road access to the City, from the south. Dunbar also built the twin towers at St Machar's Cathedral and gave its magnificent ceiling at his own expense. It comprises 48 heraldic shields including the arms of Scottish monarchs, nobles, Kings of Europe, and Scottish Bishops. When he died in 1532, he was buried in the south transept of the cathedral. This was virtually destroyed after the collapse of the great central tower in 1688, and a recumbent statue of white marble of Dunbar was broken into pieces during the Reformation. The splendor of the six foot richly carved arch of Morayshire freestone is still obvious despite its exposure to the weather. A bishop's mitre surmounts the Dunbar coat of arms and his initials, at the right hand side.

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The tomb of Bishop William Elphinstone in King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen. The bronze and marble monument was designed by Henry Wilson and it is seen here within the Chapel in the 1920's. Due to issues with its size, the monument was eventually relocated to a site outside the Chapel in 1946.

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King's College, University of Aberdeen

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Interior of St. Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, showing the west end

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Archway in St Machar's Cathedral graveyard, Old Aberdeen

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St Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen

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St Machar's Cathedral, Old Aberdeen, showing the twin spires