Gilcomston Dam / Lost Aberdeen History

Gilcomston ~ Gilcumstoun ~ Gilcomstown ~ Stones of Gilcon
Going Northward [from Woolmanhill] through Skene Square you may notice, within a Garden on your left, Gilcomston, viz - the Stone from which this Suburb takes its name. Some will have this ‘Gilcom’ to have been one thing and some another; the truth is, few or none can tell whether he was Saint, Sage, or Savage.’ The Stone Stands about 7-ft above the ground and there is another smaller one at a shorter distance. They appear to have been of Druidical Erection.”
Beyond the Woolmanhill stretched the Hamlet of Gilcomston, one of the most Ancient Suburbs of Aberdeen. The very name takes us back to the 12thC, and its mixture of Celtic & Saxon is an indication, at least, of the Racial Character of the Inhabitants of the Aberdeen neighbourhood as the light of history begins to dawn. The controversy that has long existed as to the origin of the name Gilcomston, is amusingly illustrated in a 50-yr-old “Survey” of the City. “Going Northward (from Schoolhill) through Skene Square you may notice, within a Boy’s House of Refuge & School of Industry Garden on your left, Gilcomston, - the Stone from which this Suburb has its name. Others are of opinion that as Gilcon is generally allowed to have been a man’s name, this was his place of Residence, or Town, as men’s names are sometimes given to their places of Abode hence they think the original name was Gilcom’s Town, but when he lived, or what he was. whether Saint, Sage, or Savage, none can tell. There is no Record concerning it, nor any tradition worthy of a moment’s consideration. The Stone is about 12ft in girth, with 4 very unequal Sides, and stood about 12ft above the ground. There is another much Smaller one at a Short distance. They appear to have been of Druidical Erection.” Two Standing Stones whose Site is now Built over. The Larger was known as the Gilcon Stone and was said to have given the Name to the Suburb of Gilcomston. It claimed as 12ft high & 12ft in girth ‘with 4 very unequal sides.‘ The other, shown at a distance of 7 or 8-yds from the 1st was 6ft high. The Site is on the Crest of a fairly steep rise near Gilcomston Steps. G & W Paterson’s Map of 1746 below shows the 2-Stones standing on a Hillock of 12 & 6ft high just below Gilcomston Dam.

[@craigpoole3817]

Very interesting, I have went along that street and never knew its history 👍

[@Scottland-SPAP]

Glad you enjoyed it👍

[@frevercom]

My sister lives in Aberdeen, I will need to tell her about this❤

[@Scottland-SPAP]

Get her to follow the Dr for more around Aberdeen