Originally isolated to the north of the modern city, and a separate burgh until 1891, Old Aberdeen exudes a sense of charm and seclusion, with sweeping picturesque Seaton Park and the River Don. One of Scotland’s most historic and least known townscapes, it is a treasure house of architectural gems. A new book, ‘The Lost City, Old Aberdeen’, by Jane Stevenson and Peter Davidson is a celebration of Old Aberdeen which explores its distinctive past in words and pictures. Edited by Marc Ellington and Daniel MacCannell it includes specially commissioned photographs that capture the city’s unique atmosphere.

In the foreword Marc Ellington of Towie Barclay writes: ‘The ‘Lost City’ of Old Aberdeen is one of Scotland’s greatest but least known treasures. From the 15th century, the ancient burgh on the Don was legally autonomous from the newer bustling trading-town on the Dee. Therefore it is not a suburb of its larger neighbour but a miniature city, with its own distinct trades, institutions and traditions.

Old Aberdeen is and always has been much loved by those who have lived here, or simply fallen under its spell. King’s College Chapel, with its crown spire, the magnificent Georgian Town House, familiar with its use as the logo of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, and St Machar’s Cathedral, with its massive twin towers, are among the iconic buildings of our nation, yet remain little known to those who have no personal connection with either the Old Town or the university.’ A walk in Old Aberdeen will take you through an anthology of Scottish building from the Middle Ages to the present day, a delicately layered townscape of exceptional beauty and historic interest.

The architectural history and evolution of Old Aberdeen reflect a more balanced and natural progression than most of the other Scottish cities. The result is a triumph of casually evolved organic town planning and development, a university city which has over the centuries grown and gracefully absorbed a wide variety of private houses, shops and academic buildings to create a single, integrated community of great character, charm and atmosphere. reflect a more balanced and natural progression than most of the other Scottish cities.

The result is a triumph of casually evolved organic town planning and development, a university city which has over the centuries grown and gracefully absorbed a wide variety of private houses, shops and academic buildings to create a single, integrated community of great character, charm and atmosphere.

FIELD FACTS The Lost City, Old Aberdeen by Jane Stevenson and Peter Davidson. Edited by Marc Ellington and Daniel MacCannell. Photography by David Langan with Marie Shaw and Eric Elliington. Published at £25 by Birlinn Ltd, West Newington House, 10 Newington Rd, Edinburgh EH9 1QS. www.birlinn.co.uk 49