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Site of the manse of the parson of Philorth. 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. This manse was located between the manse of Forbes on the north, St. Katherine's on the south, and the road to the Chanonry on the west. Many of the manses in the Chanonry were built in the later medieval period, however, no documentary evidence for this manse has been found to suggest a foundation in this period. It was known as the old alehouse and smithy of Old Aberdeen which was built in 1429 before the manse was built for the prebend. This seems to suggest that Philorth may have been built in the latter part of 15th century or early 16th century. 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). 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 very little details of the later owners of this manse but Alexander Hay held annual rents from the property for 13s 4d in 1575. Details of its later development have not been discovered but there is still a building on the site of this manse today.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Aberdeen City
HER -
NJ90NW0187 - PHILORTH MANSE, 5-6 CHANONRY, OLD ABERDEEN