Old Aberdeen's Architectural Secrets
King's College Chapel
High Street Old Town
Aberdeen
AB24 3UB
The "Aul' Toun" is characterised today by Kings College and St Machar Cathedral - and has been for almost 600 years! A separate burgh from "New Aberdeen" at the Castlegate and the Dee, "Villa Aberdon" was in existence in David I's reign, i.e. the first half of the 1100s. Coins from that period demonstrate that the settlement near the Donmouth hosted the Royal Mint, long before there was one in Exchange Street.
Aberdon was chosen by the emponymous Irish saint, Machar (his name was possibly Maelrubha) as the place to build a church inspired by a dream where the river bent "like a bishop's staff", sometime around the 7th century. The stone cathedral has been around since 1170AD, but David of Scots had made it a bishopric c.1132.
Fast forward about 380 years and William Elphinstone is installed as the Bishop. He was the founder of the most northerly university in Scotland, following support from James IV and papal ascent from Pope Alexander VI. Scotland had more universities in England when Kings College opened its doors!
Learn more from the stunning medieval, Jacobean and Georgian buildings which still stand today in this oasis of calm - as it's the university holidays - and hear stories of intrigue, pranks gone horribly wrong, ghosts, vandalism, the spoils of slavery and the oldest religious site in the city, ending at Seaton Park's Tillydrone Motte.
A 2hr walking tour mainly on pavements and grassy ground (in Seaton Park). Suitable for children above 10 years.
We stop and start, and there are plenty of places to sit as we go.
Dogs are welcome if socialised and well-behaved.
Meet outside Kings College Main Entry on High Street
Tickets 15/ 10
-
Dates & Booking
Jul. 17, 2025 7:30pm
Book now -
Ticket Info
Standard - From £10.00 - £15.00
© 2025 Event information from Data Thistle.
The information included in the What's On Data has been supplied to VisitAberdeenshire by Data Thistle and is subject to changes. Readers are advised to check with the venue or event organiser before relying in any way on the details published here. VisitAberdeenshire and Data Thistle are unable to accept responsibility for any loss or liability arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in these listings.