Description

1651-2. Surviving fragments of Cromwellian fort. 4-sided bastion to SE with adjoining straight wall sections to E and S. Rubble with large boulders with later flat coping stones; roughly dressed quoins to bastion angles. Situated to the East of Castle Street on Castle Hill, in prominent position overlooking the Harbour to the S. Late 20th century embankment and concrete pavement to N and W.

Statement of Interest

These are the only significant surviving architectural remains of the occupation of Aberdeen by Cromwell's troops. Originally a roughly square-plan fort consisting of earth and stone walls and bastions, it was erected with stones taken from St Machar's Cathedral in Old Aberdeen (see separate listing), and enclosed a small chapel called St Ninian's. The surviving section is the South East corner of the fort. The fort seems to have been constructed to provide look-out facilities over the city and Harbour. Occupying the city between 1651 and 1659, Cromwell's troops left in 1659 after George, Duke of Albemarle attacked the fort and the garrison was removed.

The site of the fort was used for an Infantry Barracks in the late 18th century and it is shown as such on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map of 1866. The Barracks were demolished in 1965 and housing has now been built on the site.

References from previous list description: Aberdeen of Old, 1986 Edward Meldrum p35. City of the Grey North Sea, 1965 Fenton Wyness p185-186.

Category changed from B to C(S), 2007.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56625275

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  ENGLAND GUIDE TO POST WAR LISTED: A Guide to Post-war Listed Buildings
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets