Building record MAB24369 - KING ST BUS DEPOT

Former tram and bus depots, converted from earlier militia Barracks built in 1861 (NJ90NW0124) and used by the Aberdeenshire Volunteers, later taken over by the Aberdeen Corporation Tramways in 1914.

Former tram and bus depots, converted from earlier militia Barracks built in 1861 (NJ90NW0124) and used by the Aberdeenshire Volunteers, later taken over by the Aberdeen Corporation Tramways in 1914. After reuse by the military during World War I, the premises were reconstructed by the transport department for use as a tram depot. There is documentary evidence of a leper hospital (NJ90NW0016) and chapel dedicated to St Ann (NJ90NW0046) in this area in the medieval period although its exact site is not known. The 19th century barracks was built on the northern half of the development site. A programme of archaeological works was carried out by CFA between August 2007 and July 2008 ahead of demolition and during redevelopment of the site. Building survey showed that the current depot developed in three phases. The first was construction of three sides of a quadrangle and two buildings which were part of a militia barracks dating from 1862. The second phase is represented by a tram shed and conversion of the original buildings in 1918 when the site became a tram depot. The third phase dates to the 1950s when the complex was converted to a bus depot and extended with the addition of workshops and garages. The offices of the First Bus Depot appear to conform to the configuration of the main barrack buildings on the east side of the quadrangle. A watching brief during development recorded a relatively small number of archaeological features, all likely to be of 20th century date, and revealed that there was up to at least 4m of modern made ground, with extensive past disturbance from the insertion of services and remodelling of buildings. No features relating to the leper hospital were found. Evaluation covered 14 percent of the new office footprint and revealed a concrete floor and wall which were probably the remains of an open-ended tram shed. A deep soil deposit containing 19th century pottery and glass may have been deliberate infilling of the ground prior to construction of the barracks. Three footings of the interior walls of the former north wing of the barracks were also uncovered. See also NJ90NW0246

CFA ARCHAEOLOGY, 2007, KING STREET BUS DEPOT, ABERDEEN: DESK BASED ASSESSMENT AND LEVEL 1 STANDING BUILDING SURVEY, DBA and SBS (Bibliographic reference). SAB6970.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2008, DISCOVERY & EXCAVATION SCOTLAND, p. 9 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4029.

CFA ARCHAEOLOGY, 2008, KING STREET BUS DEPOT, ABERDEEN: ARCHAEOLOGICAL WATCHING BRIEF AND EVALUATION, Evaluation and WB report (Bibliographic reference). SAB6971.

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2009, DISCOVERY & EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, VOL 9, 2008, p. 12 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3496.

Record last edited

Nov 21 2024 10:10AM