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Site of a manse, which was demolished circa 1655. 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 to the west of the chanonry, between the manse of Mortlach to the north and Rayne manse on the south, with the road to the Bishop's Hospital and entrance to the Cathedral to the east (The Chanonry Road). Many of the manses in the Chanonry were built in the later medieval period. There was some evidence that this manse was built or founded in the late 15th century when Thomas Edname, prebend of Clatt, was granted an annual sum of 13s 4s out of the property and his residence near the Chanonry (Reg. Epis. Aber., 291). 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. The owners of the property in the later medieval period have yet to be identified but we do know that in 1575, Alexander Hay had an annual rent of 40s out of this property as well as other properties/manses in the Chanonry (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. Late in 1588, this property was given to Alexander Gordon of Strathavin and his wife, Lady Agnes Sinclair, Countess of Erroll. At this time the manse was described as ruinous. In 1591, Alexander Gordon and his wife complained to the Privy Council that they had been in 'peaceable possession' of this manse, which belonged to them in feu until 28 July 1591. At that time, Harry Gordon of Haddo (by command of George, earl of Huntly) had 'violently put forth their servants, goods and other items and took possession of the property' (RMS, v, no. 1600). Orem states that the manse had the reputation of being haunted and it was known as Tam Frampers house-but this cannot be confirmed. It was said that the house was taken down and part of the stonework was taken by the English to build a fort at Castlehill. Many of the stones, however, were used by George Cruikshank to build his house at the Bridge of Don in 1644. Some of the stone was reused in Cromwell's Fort and the Chapter House. In 1725 the owner of the place was listed as Alexander Davidson of Newton. Today, there is no building on the site which forms part of the grounds of Tillydrone House.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Aberdeen City
HER -
NJ90NW0194 - CLATT MANSE, 12 CHANONRY, OLD ABERDEEN