A Guide to Kincorth's History & Archaeology by George McKnight

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A Guide to Kincorth’s History & Archaeology is one of a series of themed trails being developed around the City. Further details about these trails can be found at: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/trails & at www.aagm.co.uk

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A Guide to Kincorth’s History & Archaeology

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A Gu Kincorth’s Archa

Archaeology

Tullos Hill

It is evident that human beings have been active in this general area for at least 10,000 years. The earliest and nearest tangible traces date from the Mesolithic period, around 8000 to 6000 BC and are in the form of a collection of sea-shells found in a midden of food remains and other organic rubbish left on the shore by hunters and gatherers, who probably had a seasonal camp nearby. The midden was identified on the Bay of Nigg shoreline (see map on back cover) some years ago. Flint tools, hearths, buildings and other vestiges of human activity have been found in many areas along the banks of the River Dee, indicating that this fertile valley was richly exploited by our prehistoric ancestors.

Kincorth Hill

Introduction

and was associated with the Marquis of Montrose, one of the most romantic figures in Scottish history, during the Civil Wars of the 17th century. During the 18th century the agricultural revolution strongly affected Kincorth and new quarries were opened on Kincorth Hill, which were exploited until the 20th century. As a place name, Kincorth probably derives Traditionally Kincorth was part of the from a number of different elements. Kin is Parish of Nigg, and until the late 19th a reasonably common place name element century was in Kincardineshire. deriving from the Gaelic for hill or head place, essentially an elevated position. Kincorth really developed as a residential Corth may derive from a Celtic root and part of the City of Aberdeen from the early relates to stone or possibly even to manto middle part of the 20th century, after made stone features, such as a cairn. Thus the Council purchased and developed it means something like stony high place. part of the area of Kincorth. Today Kincorth is a very recognisable and well Kincorth developed as an agricultural established community nestled on the settlement through the medieval period side of Kincorth Hill. Kincorth has a long, rich and diverse history and archaeological heritage. This leaflet is an exploration of some of that history and archaeology. There are many historical connections to be discovered and places to visit.

Today we are inclined to see Kincorth as a landscape and townscape distinct from neighbouring Tullos and Torry. In looking at Kincorth’s earliest heritage, however, it is important to appreciate the two areas as parts of a whole, with the higher, wilder land of Kincorth and Tullos Hills forming together part of the very lowest coastal fringe of the Grampian Mountains – hence the cherished local name ‘the Gramps’. See aerial view opposite.

The growth of modern Kincorth in the period immediately following the Second World War took place in an era when archaeological work was not a routine part of large-scale development planning, so we cannot be sure what evidence may have been erased at that time. However, the area of higher ground on Kincorth Hill preserves a large number of archaeological remains. Following a very successful survey of Tullos Hill in 2004 by experts from the Centre for Field Archaeology in Edinburgh, a similar piece of work was commissioned by Aberdeen City Council on Kincorth Hill in 2008. The surveyors identified and recorded features which may range in date from the Archaeological survey in progress prehistoric period to the 20th century – a period of as much as 5000 to 6000 years. Map 1 shows the location of the principal features. Survey alone cannot necessarily determine the date of all of them. Some are clearly associated with quarrying on the hill since the 18th century, and probably before, and include smaller ‘test pits’ as well as the larger expanses, some now infilled and others open, such as the impressive quarry face visible 4

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next to Nigg Way (see Map 1). Others, such as trackways, banks, enclosures and building remnants probably cover a wide date range, while one area of cairns and a hut circle may represent a specific location of prehistoric settlement and cultivation. On a fine day it can be very rewarding to search for these ancient remains on the ground, while enjoying glorious and colourful views up Deeside. It should be borne in mind that some features are easier than others to spot, however, especially during seasons of high vegetation growth.

Stone mounds or cairns

In the case of stone cairns and mounds of various sizes, which are numerous on Kincorth Hill, it is difficult to be certain of their origin without subjecting them to archaeological excavation, which may be possible at some time in the future. Smaller ones may be related to clearance of areas for agriculture at various times in the past, or to many years of quarrying operations, while larger mounds could be the remains of prehistoric burial cairns. One quite prominent stony mound has in the past been thought to be such a monument. It is quite convincing in terms of size and location, being on one of the higher parts of the hill, with excellent views to north and east towards the very prominent and well-known bronze age burial cairns on Tullos Hill. However, the survey work in 2008 demonstrated that it partly overlay an area of much more recent quarry dumping, so is unlikely to be of great antiquity. Interestingly this mound served for many years as the base for an Ordnance survey trig point, used by mapmakers to measure the location of landscape features (see Map 1). Measurement was done by triangulation, using a survey device mounted on top of the trig 5

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Covenanters’ Faulds and the Civil Wars A fauld is a dyked, or walled, animal enclosure. This fauld is named for the Covenanters, those in Scotland who opposed Charles I, during the Civil Wars of the 17th century. James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose, and his army camped on Kincorth Hill on the night of 17 June 1639 before the Battle of the Bridge of Dee the next day, when Covenanting forces under his command attacked Aberdeen. At the time Aberdeen remained loyal to Charles I and had refused to join the Covenanters. The following day Montrose led his forces down Kincorth Hill towards the Bridge of Dee, the gate of

View of cairns on Tullos Hill from Kincorth Hill

point. Another trig point on Baron’s Cairn, one of the bronze age burial cairns on Tullos Hill, may also have been used in the process. Triangulation stations were first established across Britain between 1936 and 1962, but are themselves passing into heritage, as mapmaking is now accomplished by means of satellite-based global positioning technology.

Covenanters’ Baptism, George Hervey

Early history of Kincorth The lands of Kincorth were part of a grant of lands by King William the Lion to his newly founded Abbey of Arbroath in Trig point the late 12th century. William endowed the Abbey with rich tracts of land from the north east of Scotland, including lands stretching from the Bay of Nigg down to Cove (see map on back cover). The Abbot of the Abbey of Arbroath was the superior of these lands during the medieval period. The first definite reference to Kincorth, in the records of Arbroath Abbey, appears in 1435, when the lands were leased to Gilbert Arthur and Andrew of Kincorth for 19 years for a yearly payment of 18 shillings and 12 capons (castrated chickens). Although this is the first reference it would be fair to say the area had been farmed for some time before this and that there were several other farmers living in Kincorth. From at least 1510 there was a mill serving the farmers. In that year the mill was leased to Walter Sinclair, and his son Robert, along with salmon fishing rights and half the revenue from the ferry over the Dee in return for 35 shillings 8 pence and 16 barrels of salmon yearly. From 1527 there was an ‘aylhous’, with a brewery, in Kincorth as well. All of these features point to a developing, thirsty and prosperous settlement! 7

Covenanters’ Faulds from 1777 survey, courtesy of Aberdeen City Archives

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Adam’s quarries from 1777 survey

The development of modern Kincorth The 18th century was a time of great change: at the start of the century Kincorth was still quite medieval, but by the end of the century it was recognisably modern in a number of ways. A good glimpse of the inhabitants of Kincorth is provided by a 1709 tax list. It records 6 women, 17 men and 9 horses living in Kincorth. The 23 people represented the taxable heads of households and the population based on this figure may have been closer to 70 people living in Kincorth at the time. Only 9 of the 23 people had a horse. It is likely that those with a horse were better off.

Fermtouns on 1777 survey, courtesy of Aberdeen City Archives

which at the Kincorth side had been closed and fortified to keep Montrose’s forces out. The Covenanters attacked the bridge, which was defended by parties of men from Aberdeen for a day and a half before Montrose’s cannons eventually battered down the town’s fortifications. It could be that Covenanters’ Faulds takes its name from that association. It has also been suggested that Montrose later camped here before the Battle of Justice Mills, on Friday 13 September 1644 (the greatest slaughter in Aberdeen’s recorded history): however it is known that he crossed the Dee at the Mill of Crathes the night before and thus Kincorth Hill did not play a part in that battle. There is another explanation for the origin of this name: after the end of the Republic in Britain, when the monarchy was restored, the Episcopalian form of faith was promoted and radical Presbyterians were persecuted. This forced those associated with radical Presbyterianism to meet outside in illegal open air meetings, known as conventicles. These conventicles were often held in secluded and remote areas, such as this area of Kincorth Hill would have been at the time. The name Covenanter was often attached to those who attended conventicles and so it may be that Covenanters’ Faulds is named after these illegal meetings in this area. Either way, the connection remains with the turbulent times of the Civil Wars, and Montrose did camp on Kincorth Hill in 1639.

By this time the lands of Kincorth were split between two landowners: Aberdeen Burgh Council and the Menzies family. The lands owned by both parties were unevenly scattered around the estate of Kincorth and this led to disputes between the two. Relations eventually degenerated into a lengthy series of legal disputes, one of which revolved around the revenues of the mills of Kincorth and Leggart in 1732. This led, eventually, to a legal partition of the area: an arbitrator decided that the Menzies family would get all the lands bordering the Dee, whilst the Town of Aberdeen got the lands adjoining the sea. By these means ownership was formalised into two distinct parcels of land. After this the town and the Menzies family decided to feu, or lease out the lands in large parcels. It was as part of this Archaeologist examines old quarry face

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Left: Quarry face

Quarry trial pit

Dyke

Top: Quarry site

partition process that an invaluable survey map of the area was drawn up in 1777 by George Brown. This survey map, held by Aberdeen City Archives, provides a unique snap shot of the area before the great agricultural revolution of the 18th century: the map reveals an agricultural landscape largely as it would have appeared in medieval times, with irregularly shaped fields and houses clustered in little fermtouns (the characteristic pattern of settlement in medieval rural Scotland). The 18th century brought the agricultural revolution and with it more modern practices in farming. Out went the old irregular shaped fields and in came large rectangular ones clearly defined by boundary dykes (stone walls). Innovations in techniques and fertiliser allowed what had previously been more marginal ground to be cleared and brought under the plough. As the land in Kincorth, and Aberdeen generally, is very stony an excess of stones was removed from the ground. Indeed Kincorth Hill was at one time known as Stony Hill. Some of these cleared stones could be sold off for various purposes, but as new fields emerged the huge surplus of stones remained and so consumption dykes were formed in order to ‘consume’ the stones cleared off the land. A consumption dyke may loosely be defined as one which is broader than it is tall. There are several in the area of Kincorth (see map 1). 11

Above: Pumping station

The 18th century also brought new industries to Kincorth. Quarrying on Kincorth Hill began in 1766. In March 1766 John Adam, an architect from Edinburgh, presented a petition to Aberdeen Burgh Council asking for permission to begin extracting rocks from quarries in the Bay of Nigg. Adams proposed an initial lease of 21 years with a one-year trial period built in and reviewed every three years. The Council quickly agreed to Adam’s proposal. Later, on 22 August 1766, the agreement was extended to include all of the land from the Bay of Nigg down to Cove. For at least the next decade Adam quarried in Kincorth. Quarrying continued in Kincorth until the 20th century and has left several visible reminders in the area. Other industries, including the Michelin factory near Redmoss Road, have left traces in the area as well. Tyre production generated a huge amount of heat which required water to cool it. A pumping station was established on Kincorth Hill and is still visible (see Map 1). The station contains a Glenfield machine, which pumped water from the Dee to the factory. The Glenfield company are based in Kilmarnock and have been producing engineering equipment since 1852. All of the 18th and 19th century developments greatly improved the lands of Kincorth. This can be seen in an advert for the sale of Kincorth in 1867. It stated: ‘The land is of superior quality, and a large sum has been expended in improving, draining and subdividing the estate into convenient sized farms, on each of which has been erected a Farm Steading and dwelling house…The timber on the hill, extending to about 150 metres is in a very healthy state, and, when at maturity, will be of considerable value; and there is an inexhaustible supply of granite on the property, for which there is always a great demand.’

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The rent of the estate was estimated at ÂŁ1045. At that point the lands were purchased by the Baker Incorporation of Aberdeen. In 1891 Kincorth became part of the City of Aberdeen. A series of march stones were erected in the 1930s to delineate the new boundary of Aberdeen City. A few of these stones survive in scattered and largely rural locations, throughout Aberdeen, including some in Kincorth (see Map 1).

Quarried and worked granite on Kincorth Hill

Sunset on Kincorth Hill

The Modern Town of Kincorth The development of Kincorth as the modern housing estate that we know today lies in a growing interest in Kincorth on the part of Aberdeen City Council. The first evidence of the Council seeking to buy it occurred in 1928, when the Finance Committee recommended purchasing the estate to develop a golf course. Eventually the plans became residential. Kincorth was never to be a satellite town but was always planned to be an integral part of the city. This notion emerged out of an inter-war plan to create a Greater Aberdeen. Following a motion to Council presented by Councillor Dr Duncan, a public competition was opened for designs for a new housing estate at Kincorth. This was held in 1937: the winners were Messrs Clifford Holliday, R.Gardner-Medwin and Denis Winston of Pall Mall, London. They received ÂŁ500 in prize money.

Top, Above & Above Right: Quarried stone

Above: Worked Granite

Inevitably, the Second World War prevented the scheme from moving forward and it was only after 1945 that the scheme began to be realised. Kincorth Quarry was reopened in order to provide granite for building. The decision to stop building in granite was taken later, in the 1950s, once the character of the estate had been assured. When building work started it did not stick rigidly to the winning design competition entry of 1937; ideas had moved on and the scheme was adapted. Nevertheless large open spaces were still an integral part of the plan. Initially only houses were built, despite there being provisions for public Example of the first style of houses built in Kincorth in granite after the amenities. Second World War 14

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With the growth in size of the community in Kincorth, there was a need for church provision in the area. Throughout the medieval period people in Kincorth had to travel to St Fittick’s Church in the Bay of Nigg. Nigg Kirk, on Nigg Kirk Road, replaced St Fittick’s in 1829, and was more convenient for the people of Kincorth, but it was not until the 20th century that the people of Kincorth got a church in their community. The Church of Scotland opened South St Nicholas Church in March 1955. The church, a traditional granite building, cost £23,000, and the first minister was Reverend John Jolly. Plaques and a clock were taken from the old South St Nicholas Church on Belmont Street (in Aberdeen city centre) and installed here in Kincorth. The organ for this church was originally commissioned in 1905 by James Lorimer, shoemaker, for his house at 55 King’s Gate. The work was executed by E.H.Lawton. The organ was later moved to the King Street Church, before finally being taken to South St Nicholas Church in Kincorth.

Our Lady of Aberdeen Roman Catholic Church

The first shops in Kincorth date to January 1954 when the Northern Cooperative Society opened theirs on Provost Watt Drive. The next phase of house building in Kincorth began in 1962. This time more residential accommodation, of two and four storey blocks, was planned. Much of the new building was between Arbroath Way and Tollohill Drive. Kincorth Library was begun in May 1966, at a projected cost of £50,000: the complex was to include a clinic and café and was opened in September 1967. Although Kincorth became a residential area in the 20th century, quarrying continued very close to the new homes. Kincorth Quarry itself was not closed until as late as 1967, despite many calls from residents for its closure, as these quotes from The Press & Journal of 2 December 1967 show. Mr Charles Campbell of 2 Slessor Drive said,”It’s like living next to a volcano” whilst Depute City Engineer William Turner noted,“With the best will in the world it is impossible to use explosives so near to houses without risk. We’re lucky a stone has never struck anyone”.

South St Nicholas Church

The foundation stone for Our Lady of Aberdeen, Kincorth’s Roman Catholic Church, was laid on 9 July 1963, and it was opened on 9 July 1964, the feast day for Our Lady of Aberdeen. The story goes that a statue, at one time held in a wayside chapel by the Bridge of Dee (on the Aberdeen side), was saved at the time of the reformation (1560) and spirited away to the Spanish controlled, Catholic Low Countries. The statue was displayed in an Augustinian church in Brussels for several centuries before briefly being removed from the public eye during the upheavals of the Napoleonic period. It, or at least a statue which claims to be the original, is an object of great veneration and love in the Church of Finesterre in Brussels. One version of the story relates that the reformers in Aberdeen threw the statue into the sea and that it miraculously made its way to the Low Countries. Either way, the statue was saved from the depredations of the reformers, leading to its name Our Lady of Good Success. A replica of the statue stands in Our Lady of Aberdeen Church. 15

On 21 December 1968 The Press and Journal reported that Kincorth Library had opened and that in total the estate comprised some 3053 houses, 6 schools, 2 churches, a shopping centre, clinic and community centre. However, the development could not really be considered finished until a secondary school was built. Kincorth Academy, a comprehensive school, was opened in January 1972.

Interior of Our Lady of Aberdeen Roman Catholic Church and replica statue of Our Lady of Aberdeen

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Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve Kincorth Hill is one of Aberdeen’s larger areas of countryside right on the edge of the urban area. It has retained its natural character and extensive wildlife and is open at all times to visitors; it is a Local Nature Reserve which is managed by Aberdeen City Council Rangers’ Service. There is a network of paths running across the hillside through areas of coniferous and deciduous woodland, grassland, scrub, heath and past a pond. It is a good area for nature watching, taking a gentle stroll or walking the dog with areas to stop, have a seat and enjoy the views across the city. There is also a sculpture trail which serves as an orienteering course.

Main habitats

Woodland Some areas of the reserve were planted up with a mix of conifers including lodgepole pine, larch, Scots pine and sycamore. Many of these areas have been thinned recently to favour the native species and other areas planted up in 2009 with a mix of more wildlife friendly species including Scots pine, Norway spruce, larch, alder, willow and rowan.

Gorse

Scrub Large areas of the site have become dominated by gorse and broom scrub. This is good habitat to provide cover to species such as roe deer and other small mammals as well as nesting sites for many small birds. It is however very invasive and

needs to be kept in check to prevent it from taking over more valuable habitats. Gorse flowers during most months of the year but makes a colourful sea of yellow in late spring and early summer when most of it flowers. The flowers have a strong smell of coconut.

Heathland Kincorth Hill would have traditionally been dominated by heathland. The heathland comprises a mix of the three native heathers, cross leaved heath, ling and bell heather along with a range of other acid soil loving species.

Grassland Kincorth Hill has areas of rough grassland. Around the disused quarry and in areas to the west and east ends of the reserve tall grasses and wildflowers dominate. Wildflowers such as yellow rattle, knapweed and cow parsley flourish in summer. Scrub is beginning to spread into many of these areas of grassland. Images from top: Gorse, Fern, Broom

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Pond There is a small pond towards the eastern end of the reserve. In the spring this can be alive with frogs and frog spawn but also look out for palmate newts and numerous other pond creatures. Many of the old quarry workings can also have short seasonal ponds in the bottom. Access to these is hazardous and should be avoided. During the summer months the Rangers organise a range of public events at Kincorth Hill. The Countryside Ranger Service will also lead activities such as pond dipping and minibeast hunts for groups booked in advance. A Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve Education pack is available on loan to schools from the Countryside Rangers.

Kincorth’s Street Names and their Origins

Images from top: Guided walk on Kincorth Hill, Tadpoles in the pond, Roe deer on Kincorth Hill

Street names in Kincorth have a variety of different origins and explanations. Many come from Kincorth’s historical associations, such as with the Abbey of Arbroath and the Civil Wars of the 17th century. Other street names are inspired by famous scientists and missionaries who have been associated with Aberdeen. Unfortunately it has not been possible to explain all the street names in Kincorth: Buchanan Place, Margaret Clyne Place and Sillerton Lane have remained elusive.

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Abbots Place: This is one of a series of street names which look back to the days before the reformation when the Abbey of Arbroath held the lands of Kincorth.

place name it has been in use since at least the mid 18th century.

Cairngorm Drive/Crescent/Gardens/ Place/Road: Rather unusually for Kincorth

Abbotswell Crescent/Drive: Again this

this street name owes its origins to name derives from the historical Cairngorm Mountain. It was traditional in association with the Abbey of Arbroath. In Torry to name streets after Scottish particular this street name is an echo of the mountains, but this remains a singular place name Abbots Walls and is supposed example in Kincorth. to recollect the walls of the residence that Cairnvale Terrace/Crescent: the Abbot of Arbroath Abbey used when There are a number of archaeological sites visiting his lands. Although the exact in and around Kincorth, especially on location of that building is now lost to us, Kincorth Hill. This name alludes to as a place name it first occurs on maps prehistoric and later stone cairns of which from about the 18th century. there are many on the hill. Arbroath Place/Way/Lane: These streets Corthan Place/Drive/Crescent: derive their names, again, from the This derives from a similar Gaelic root as medieval association with the Abbey of Arbroath, or Aberbrothoc, as it was known the name Kincorth and means something like a small stone circle. historically.

University's Obstetric Medical Research Unit was set up and he was a principal supporter of the 1967 Abortion Bill.

Faulds Crescent/Gate/ Wynd/Row: This is one of the names redolent of the association of the area with the Covenanters. Montrose’s army was by legend supposed to have camped on Kincorth Hill before the Battle of the Bridge of Dee in a place later known as Covenanters’ Faulds. A fauld in Scots is a dyked animal enclosure.

Gardner Drive Walk/Road/Crescent/ Place: Alexander Buchanan Gardner, died1961, was a City Architect for Aberdeen Council. He designed Bon Accord Baths and Rosemount Square flats, and was very much involved in the development of Kincorth.

Hetherwick Road: Dr Alexander Auldearn Road/Gardens: This is one of

Covenanters Row/Drive:

the many street names in Kincorth which are connected with the Covenanters, the Marquis of Montrose and the Civil Wars of the 17th century. The Battle of Auldearn (a village near Nairn) was a victory for the Marquis of Montrose on 9 May 1645 and was part of his so called ‘year of victories’.

One of the series of place names in Kincorth which celebrate the historical connection with the Covenanters.

Boyd Orr Avenue/Place/Walk/Close: These streets are named for Lord Boyd Orr, 1888-1971, the nutritionist. He was born in Ayrshire and was a graduate of Glasgow University: he established the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and became the first Director of the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen. He received the Nobel Prize in 1949.

Caiesdykes Road/Gardens/Drive: The original person named Caie, or possibly Kay, has not been traced in the historical record (it is a very common surname historically in this region), but as a 21

Cruickshank Crescent: This is one of several street names in Kincorth named for prominent late 19th century missionaries. Reverend Dr Alexander Cruickshank, 1854-1937, was born in Aberdeen and served in Calabar from 1881.

Deevale Road/Crescent/Terrace/ Gardens: This name derives from the vale, or valley, around the River Dee in this area.

Dugald Baird Square/Court: Dugald Baird, 1899-1986, was a medical pioneer. He was born in Greenock and graduated from Glasgow University. He was appointed to the Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aberdeen University in 1937. Under his directorship the

Hetherwick,1860-1939, was a missionary from Auchnagatt, near Ellon, who served principally in Africa and wrote several books on African languages.

Kilsyth Road: This street name derives from a battle won by Montrose at the village of Kilsyth in North Lanarkshire on 15 August 1645. Kincorth Place/Crescent/Circle: These names derive ultimately from the Gaelic words for stones and may indicate something like head place.

Laws Road/Drive: Robert Laws, 18511934, is remembered as a pioneer of African education. He was born in Aberdeen and graduated from Aberdeen University and Edinburgh United Presbyterian Theological College. He was ordained a medical missionary in the Livingstonia Mission and founded the Hope Waddel Institute at Calabar, West Africa.

Leggart Terrace/Avenue/Crescent: These names derive from what was known as Leggart Hill. There was a fermtoun known as Leggart from the medieval period onwards. The first reference to Leggart appears in 1510 when the Abbot of Arbroath leased out the lucrative fishing rights of Leggart.

Mackay Road: Named after Alexander Murdoch Mackay, 1849-1890, a missionary from Rhynie. He principally worked in Uganda. Matthews Road: Named for another missionary, Dr Thomas Matthews, 18421928, who was known as a ‘medical missionary’. Matthews was originally from Aberdeen, and worked principally in Madagascar. Maxwell Crescent: James Clerk Maxwell, 1831-1879, was a Natural Philosopher, or physicist. He was born at 14 India Street Edinburgh, where the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation premises are now situated, and educated at Edinburgh Academy and Edinburgh and Cambridge Universities. He contributed to the analysis of colour perception. He became the first person to project a colour photograph, but he is best known for his work on electricity and magnetism. Maxwell served as Professor of Natural Philosophy at Marischal College, Aberdeen, and London University. Nigg Way: This street name derives from the Bay of Nigg. Nigg derives from a Gaelic origin meaning something like a notch. Provost Watt Drive: This street is named for Edward W. Watt, 1877-1955, who was Lord Provost of Aberdeen between 1935 and 1938. He was also an editor of the Evening Gazette and in 1922 became a joint manager of Aberdeen Newspapers Limited. 22

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Redmoss Avenue/Walk/Road: The Redmoss itself was a prominent feature in medieval and later Kincorth. On this moss the tenants of Kincorth had dual rights of cutting peats (for both roofing material and for heating) as well as pasturage for their animals. Shepherd Place: Dr James Shepherd, 18471926, was born in Aberdeen and served as a missionary in Udaipur, Rajputana in India. Slessor Drive/Road: Mary Slessor, 18481915, was a missionary born in Aberdeen. She entered employment in Dundeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jute Mills and sailed with the Foreign Missions Board to the Calabar Estuary (now South Nigeria), aged 26, and worked in the capital, Duke Town, and in the Okoyoung District.

Tollohill Place/Gardens/Crescent/ Drive/Lane/Square: These streets take their names from Tollohill which is the next hill to the south of Kincorth Hill. The name Tollohill is similar to Tullos Hill and Torry and means something like a rocky high place.

Valley Gardens/Crescent: This name derives from the vale, or valley, around the River Dee.

Webster Road: This is another of the streets named after missionaries. Reverend Dr James Webster, 1854-1923, was born in Auchintoul in Banffshire and worked in Manchuria. He was responsible for the organisation and working of the Red Cross during the Russo-Japanese War. ÂŠ All images copyright Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums unless otherwise stated.

Modern street plan overlaid on 1777 survey. Survey courtesy of Aberdeen City Archives