Building record MAB23906 - PROVOST ROSS'S HOUSE, SHIP ROW, ABERDEEN
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Summary
Town house (No.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (A) 20484
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 9436 0620 (13m by 27m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ90NW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire City |
| Civil Parish | Aberdeen |
Type and Period (4)
Full Description
Town house (No. 48) built in 1593, and restored in 1954 by architect George Johnstone: it is the second oldest dwelling in Aberdeen. The adjoining house, no. 50, is dated 1710, restored in 1954 by AGR Mackenzie. This fine townhouse (No.48) is a rare survival in Aberdeen, and currently houses, in part, Aberdeen's Maritime Museum. It is really the only surviving townhouse from Shiprow's long past. The house itself was built in 1593 for Robert Watson, an Aberdonian burgess and wright and his wife Margarte Collie. This is borne out on a date stone. As with many buildings of this date it is said to be the work of Andrew Jamesone, master mason and father of George Jamesone, the portrait painter. Although there are no specific records to back up this suggestion it may well be the case that Jameson had built, or at least been involved in the building of this house. Provost John Ross of Arnage became resident at No. 48 in 1702 and may also have occupied part of the adjoining No.50. In a derelict state, Ross's House and No. 50 were acquired by the National Trust for Scotland and saved by appeal to its members and supporters. The city of Aberdeen and the Associated British Picture Corporation each contributed six thousand five hundred pounds. A collection of old coins and buttons was found prior to 1886 when a stone was removed during repairs in a room in the house, the majority of the coins reportedly Scottish twopenny pieces of the reign of Charles I. Within the North Company Room of the Museum are a copper World War I and a steel World War II plaque commemorating men of the North of Scotland and Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Co who gave their lives in the two world wars.
Period Notes
Nos. 48-50 Listed 12/01/1987. Restored 1954.
Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 21/04/1984 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.
DENNISON, E, 1997, HISTORIC ABERDEEN: THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT. THE SCOTTISH BURGH SURVEY, p. 82 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4057.
WRIGHT, A P K, 2010, REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DOUGLAS HOTEL SITE ON SHIPROW, ABERDEEN: HERITAGE STATEMENT (Bibliographic reference). SAB3449.
Oct 9 1984 , DP 18, DP 18 (Ground Photograph). SAB34040.
Sep 20 1984 , DM 13, 15, DM 13, 15 (Ground Photograph). SAB34039.
Sep 27 2004 , GR/04/CT457, GR/04/CT457 (Ground Photograph). SAB37013.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ACY;
- HES Listed Building Number: 20484;
- National Trust Scotland;
- NMR Card Number: NJ90NW53;
- NRHE Numlink: 20176;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ90NW0013;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB20484 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/20176 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SAB1416 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. . PRESS & JOURNAL. 21/04/1984.
- --- SAB34039 Ground Photograph: Sep 20 1984 . DM 13, 15. Black & White. DM 13, 15.
- --- SAB34040 Ground Photograph: Oct 9 1984 . DP 18. Black & White. DP 18.
- --- SAB3449 Bibliographic reference: WRIGHT, A P K. 2010. REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DOUGLAS HOTEL SITE ON SHIPROW, ABERDEEN: HERITAGE STATEMENT.
- --- SAB37013 Ground Photograph: Sep 27 2004 . GR/04/CT457. Colour Transparency. GR/04/CT457.
- --- SAB4057 Bibliographic reference: DENNISON, E. 1997. HISTORIC ABERDEEN: THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT. THE SCOTTISH BURGH SURVEY. Y. p. 82.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Sep 15 2025 12:49PM
