THE OLD TOWN HOUSE

The University of Aberdeen has restored the Old Town House – one of the area's most famous landmarks – with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Their funding has secured the life and longevity of this important historic building and provided an excellent opportunity to promote interest, understanding and enjoyment of Old Aberdeen's unique heritage.

The Old Town House has been sympathetically restored by a team of leading conservation architects and local craftsmen who have carefully preserved original features, as well as making sensitive adaptations to the internal layout of the building. Only renewable materials have been used and the University's commitment to improving energy efficiency has been adhered to throughout this project.

View photography from the restoration process.

As well as being a new "front door" to the University, it is a central feature of this project that the Old Town House serves the local and wider community. In association with the Heritage Lottery Fund, the University has developed an exciting programme of events that includes a rich variety of activities for all ages. From natural history sessions for schools to family storytelling sessions and creative writing retreats, the Old Town House is open to all. We warmly invite you to find out more about the Old Town House events and to join our mailing list by emailing us at oldtownhouse@abdn.ac.uk or telephoning us on 01224 273650.

One of the most striking features of the Old Town House is its typically Georgian square clock tower. Above the clock sits an octagonal bell house with restored louvred openings and a lead segmental dome. This tower contains a bell cast in 1754 by local craftsman John Mowatt. The bell/clock mechanism has been restored to perfect working order. The numbers have been re-gilded by a specialist bell founder and, at the very top of the roof, the weather vane has been re-gilded using twenty-three and a half carat gold leaf.

Specialist stonemason, John Reid of Anderson Construction, was commissioned to re-point the Old Town House as the original lime mortar had been replaced with cement. Lime mortar is a traditional material and is preferable to cement as it is more flexible, permanent and porous as well as being kinder to the surrounding stonework. Lime mortar pointing is a very specialist skill only used now for restoration work. None of the granite stonework needed to be replaced, but non original doorways and windows were rebuilt with matching stones from the local Rosemount Quarry. You can see where the old Police Station door used to be on the East-facing wall of the house.

The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded The University of Aberdeen a substantial grant to restore and conserve The Old Town House on 1 June 2004. Work commenced on 1 November 2004 to reinstate The Old Town House to the historically important and iconic building it is, for daily use by the University community, the local community and visitors alike.

This information board was erected by the Old Market cross, and provided the local community with up-dates on The Old Town House restoration project as it progressed.

The 200-year-old floor joists were reinforced, levelled, and replaced with reclaimed pitch pine timber.

The original flagstone at the entrance of the House was lifted so that piping could be fitted underneath. It was re-layed in its original pattern.

The walls in the building had been subjected to severe damp and aging. These photographs show the timber lathes being replaced so that new plaster could be applied.

The walls in the building had been subjected to severe damp and aging. These photographs show the timber lathes being replaced so that new plaster could be applied.

The walls were then re-plastered with a traditional lime mortar specification, which was applied in three coats.

All ceilings have been re-plastered. Masonic symbols on the second floor ceiling were removed and the original ceiling rose restored.

All lintels were replaced and traditional sash and casement windows retained. The woodwork has been painted in its original colour.

The Victorian police cells have been retained, and the original doors have been stripped and stained. The preservation of decorative effects throughout has been undertaken deliberately to illustrate the Old Town House’s former use.

The original staircase banister has been reinstated, treated and stained to match its original colour.

The old police station door on the East facing wall of the house was not original and has been bricked up with matching stones from a local quarry.

Specialist stonemason, John Reid from Anderson Construction, was commissioned to re-point The Old Town House as the original lime mortar had been replaced with cement.

The original bell/clock mechanism has been restored to perfect working and the numbers re-gilded by a specialist bell founder. The original the clock are displayed on the ground floor.

The Old Town House opened its doors on the 21 October 2005 having been restored to full working order. Built in 1788 by the community and for the community, The Old Town House will once again welcome visitors to Old Aberdeen and the University.