20 for dinner

Delighted to discover that this is the much-changed Chaplains' Court of Old Aberdeen. Situated at the corner of Don St and the Chanonry, this was home to the chaplains of St Machar Cathedral; around twenty men shared the house and ate at a common table. The building used to have a central courtyard and the original gateway is visible here.

Built by Bishop Elphinstone's successor, Gavin Dunbar in 1519, it is his coat of arms we see above the original door. Here too was the Chaplains' Port, the gate into the Aultoun from Don Street, originally called Seatongait (the way to Seaton). Today's layout dates from 1718.

Inhabitants of 'Chaplainary' since have experienced supernatural events - such as phantom footsteps, the ghostly image of a woman doing needlework, sitting on a rocking chair, and the sensation of a large group of people at a table... perhaps the chaplains having their supper of a cold, Aberdonian winter night?

Just shows, you can build layer upon layer of history without some of it leaking through!