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Site of a manse. The manses surrounding the Cathedral were all named for different areas in the diocese of Aberdeen. The different areas provided the prebend, or payment, for the canons who worked in St Machar's Cathedral. The location of the manses of the canons of the cathedral gave the name to this part of Old Aberdeen, the Canonry or Chanonry. The manse was at the northwest of the Chanonry between Mortlach manse on the east and its gardens to the south and the road to the Cathedral (Tillydrone Road) to the north. Many of the manses in the Chanonry were built in the later medieval period but no documentary evidence for this manse has been found to suggest a foundation in this period. Sometime in the 15th century there were complaints that the manses were run-down and boundary walls needed to be repaired. The canons who resided in the manses were instructed to fix the walls or be penalised (Morgan, Old Aberdeen, 36). It was likely that this manse was built sometime in early 16th century when William Moway, with consent of Bishop Dunbar, granted the manse to Alexander Galloway, prebend of Kinkell, for an annual sum of 12s 4d and Galloway then built the manse. Alexander Galloway had been the architect chosen by Bishop Elphinstone to build and design parts of King's College (the Great Hall and altar of the Blessed Sacrament), St. Machar Cathedral, Snow Church and the church of the Greyfriars (Broad Street). Under Bishop Gavin Dunbar, he was the chief architect and designer for the Bridge of Dee. He was more than likely responsible for building the font at the church of Kinkell, which is now housed at St. John Episcopal church in Aberdeen. The household items in the medieval manses were to be handed down by each canon to his successor and may have included simple bed linen, kitchen utensils, and necessary furniture for the public room and items needed for the brewing of ale. There are few details of the later owners of this manse but Alexander Hay received an annual portion of 11 merks from this property as other properties/manses in the Chanonry in 1575 (RMS, iv, 2360). At the time, Hay was the secretary or chamberlain to the young king James I and his annual rents from the properties in the Chanonry was more than likely a reward for his faithful service. The later owners of this manse were Alexander Gordon of Birsemore and Adam Gordon of Inverebrie. Mr. William Smith acquired the manse at some stage in the 18th century and built himself a house out of the ruins of the manse: no remains of the manse still stand. The site of the manse is in the grounds of the current Tillydrone House.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Aberdeen City
HER -
NJ90NW0195 - KINKELL MANSE, 12 CHANONRY, OLD ABERDEEN