Christmas tree festival 2023

The third Christmas tree festival is taking place in Drum’s Aisle, Kirk of St Nicholas, Aberdeen during December. Trees are being decorated by local schools and a number of organisations in the city. based on a Christmas carol. If previous years is anything to go by, we are in for some really innovative and creative work.

The festival will be open on 2nd, 9th and 16th December between 11 am and 2 pm. Tea and coffee will be available. Entry is by the south door – Union Street side of the building.

We are pleased to welcome back the choir of Robert Gordon’s College to perform some Christmas music for us at about 11.30 on 2nd December.

Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you.

The photographs were taken at the 2022 festival – a general view and close up to the tree by Somebody Cares on the theme of Good King Wenceslas

Drum’s Aisle during Christmas tree festival 2022
‘Good King Wenceslas’ interpreted by Somebody Cares, Aberdeen in 2022

Wheelchair access to St Mary’s – Internal works

The external ramp described in the previous post gave access to the door into St Mary’s Chapel. However, that was not the only problem because internally there were still three steps going up into the north aisle and then four steps down from the north aisle to the floor level of the central area. The interior of the chapel was last re-ordered in 1898. Prior to that work an architect report prepared in 1895 seemed to indicate that the north aisle floor was at a lower level and that it should be raised during the proposed work. It was concluded, therefore, that there was unlikely to be very much of significance below the paved floor. However, because this is a known archaeological site it was important that there was a ‘watching brief’ from an archaeologist whenever any digging was involved – this also applied to the more limited work outside on the ramp.

The north aisle of St Mary’s Chapel before work started, showing the steps down into the central area.
Inside the entrance door. The staircase, just visible to the left, was removed to create an open space for the entrance, toilet and kitchen areas.

When internal work started an early requirement was to move the font. The top and the pedestal parts of the stone font were easily separated and removed for safe keeping (shown in one of the photographs). The base appeared to be made of five separate stones, but they refused to be separated. Since they weighed in the region of 1.5 tons a specialist team was required to move it.

The top of the font and its pedestal safely removed. There was an earlier blog about the enamel panels on the font.
The base of the font. Because the stones would not separate it created a problem in moving it.

In general there was very little under the stone floor apart from soil until a greater depth was reached. A few items were found, one artefact being a rather intriguing piece of what appears to be carved stone. Also, at the lowest level a curved channel was uncovered, but what its purpose was is not clear – it is shown in one of the photographs. Also along the north wall, and part of the west wall, below the old floor level there was an irregular scarcement – in effect the wall jutted out like an uneven ledge. The artefacts which were found will be subject to full study and a report will be made in due course.

The mysterious ditch or channel at the lowest level under the old floor.

At the old entrance to the chapel, there was a redundant staircase going off the entrance lobby. The staircase was removed. This created sufficient space to not only allow the new entrance corridor, but also on one side to accommodate an accessible toilet and on the other a small kitchen area. Both required a new electrical supply. The cables from the existing electric fuse boxes were run round the apse behind the carved wood panels. Water, which also entered the building on the south side, was required for both toilet and kitchen. Fortunately there was a small channel across the apse area which was large enough to carry the pipe. The drains were connected to the main drain under the paved area outside the chapel during that phase of the work.

The ‘new’ north aisle with the font back in place and no steps between it and the central area.
The font with, in the background, the accessible toilet and new entrance on the right.

As the work started it was hoped that the full restoration of the chapel could be completed. The additional work would involve temporarily removing all the 17th century carved wood. The present plaster is wrong for a building of this age – it is gypsum based – so it will all have to be removed and replaced with an appropriate material. The electric wiring will be replaced enabling the lighting to be upgraded to something more appropriate for the chapel and also the provision of a level of electrical heating. Finally the carved panels will be replaced and the walls covered with a lime-based plaster (as it would have been 600 years ago). Unfortunately the funding did not materialise as expected so it was necessary to pause the work and try to make the chapel as ‘presentable’ as possible for the time being until the work can be completed.

The chapel has already been open for visitors on two Saturdays and will be open again between 10am and 1pm on 30th July and 13th August, and between 10am and 4pm on 10th September (part of Doors Open Day). It is available to hire if people are interested – it has already hosted two meetings.

When internal work started an early requirement was to move the font. The top and the pedestal parts of the stone font were easily separated and removed for safe keeping (shown in one of the photographs). The base appeared to be made of five separate stones, but they refused to be separated. Since they weighed in the region of 1.5 tons a specialist team was required to move it. In general there was very little under the stone floor apart from soil until a greater depth was reached. A few items were found, one artefact being a rather intriguing piece of what appears to be carved stone. Also, at the lowest level a curved channel was uncovered, but what its purpose was is not clear – it is shown in one of the photographs. Also along the north wall, and part of the west wall, below the old floor level there was an irregular scarcement – in effect the wall jutted out like an uneven ledge. The artefacts which were found will be subject to full study and a report will be made in due course.

At the old entrance to the chapel, there was a redundant staircase going off the entrance lobby. The staircase was removed. This created sufficient space to not only allow the new entrance corridor, but also on one side to accommodate an accessible toilet and on the other a small kitchen area. Both required a new electrical supply. The cables from the existing electric fuse boxes were run round the apse behind the carved wood panels. Water, which also entered the building on the south side, was required for both toilet and kitchen. Fortunately there was a small channel across the apse area which was large enough to carry the pipe. The drains were connected to the main drain under the paved area outside the chapel during that phase of the work.

As the work started it was hoped that the full restoration of the chapel could be completed. The additional work would involve temporarily removing all the 17th century carved wood. The present plaster is wrong for a building of this age – it is gypsum based – so it will all have to be removed and replaced with an appropriate material. The electric wiring will be replaced enabling the lighting to be upgraded to something more appropriate for the chapel and also the provision of a level of electrical heating. Finally the carved panels will be replaced and the walls covered with a lime-based plaster (as it would have been 600 years ago). Unfortunately the funding did not materialise as expected so it was necessary to pause the work and try to make the chapel as ‘presentable’ as possible for the time being until the work can be completed.

The chapel has already been open for visitors on two Saturdays and will be open again between 10am and 1pm on 30th July and 13th August, and between 10am and 4pm on 10th September (part of Doors Open Day). It is available to hire if people are interested – it has already hosted two meetings.

Wheelchair access to St Mary’s – External works

It has long been the ambition of the OpenSpace Trust to provide wheelchair access to St Mary’s Chapel. However, it was always going to be difficult to achieve because of the changes of level involved. Externally, there was a small step by the gate into the Kirkyard, then two steps beside the path past the chapel entrance, then another two steps up to the entrance door. Inside there were a further three steps up before reaching the north aisle – but that was four steps higher than the central space of the chapel. If we add to that the age of the building, going back to the mid-1400s, it was always going to be a technically difficult, and therefore expensive, undertaking.

We were fortunate to be awarded money from the Town Centre Fund, administered by Aberdeen City Council, which enabled the external work to be completed. All the Kirkyard is owned by the Council, and the path past St Mary’s leads to a flight of steps up to a higher level of the Kirkyard along the northern side of the building. These steps were in a poor state of repair and the surface of the path leading to them was also quite uneven. As part of the overall work it was agreed with the Council that the steps and path would be upgraded alongside installing the wheelchair ramp. The first photographs show the situation outside the door to the chapel, the path and the steps before work started.

The area immediately outside the entrance to St Mary’s Chapel before work started. The entrance door is top left.
The steps up into the Kirkyard were in an uneven state before work started. The steps to the left led to the Chapel entrance.

The path, steps and retaining walls were lifted. This enabled attention to be given to the drain which runs underneath. New foundations were built for the steps and retaining walls before they were replaced. The same was true with the path, with drainage work installed before it was re-laid on a slight slope to eliminate the previous step up by the gate. The second group of photographs shows some of this work in progress.

The wall for the wheelchair ramp being built. This was in winter so there was a need to protect from frost using the sacking otherwise the mortar would be damaged.
Where the main steps and retaining wall used to be.

We were fortunate to be awarded money from the Town Centre Fund, administered by Aberdeen City Council, which enabled the external work to be completed. All the Kirkyard is owned by the Council, and the path past St Mary’s leads to a flight of steps up to a higher level of the Kirkyard along the northern side of the building. These steps were in a poor state of repair and the surface of the path leading to them was also quite uneven. As part of the overall work it was agreed with the Council that the steps and path would be upgraded alongside installing the wheelchair ramp. The first photographs show the situation outside the door to the chapel, the path and the steps before work started.

The path, steps and retaining walls were lifted. This enabled attention to be given to the drain which runs underneath. New foundations were built for the steps and retaining walls before they were replaced. The same was true with the path, with drainage work installed before it was re-laid on a slight slope to eliminate the previous step up by the gate. The second group of photographs shows some of this work in progress.

It has long been the ambition of the OpenSpace Trust to provide wheelchair access to St Mary’s Chapel. However, it was always going to be difficult to achieve because of the changes of level involved. Externally, there was a small step by the gate into the Kirkyard, then two steps beside the path past the chapel entrance, then another two steps up to the entrance door. Inside there were a further three steps up before reaching the north aisle – but that was four steps higher than the central space of the chapel. If we add to that the age of the building, going back to the mid-1400s, it was always going to be a technically difficult, and therefore expensive, undertaking.

In order to comply with the recommended slopes for wheelchair access a V-shaped ramp was necessary. New granite had to be sourced which would, once weathered, blend with the existing granite of the building. The profile of the coping on these walls reflects shapes higher up the building. Around the entrance door, the old steps were removed and the sill lowered requiring a re-profiling of the doors. The third group of photographs show stages in the building of the ramp and there are some showing the finished external works.

The finished steps up into the Kirkyard and one of the retaining walls rebuilt.
Looking down the ‘new’ steps to the repaved area and the wheelchair ramp to the right. The gate is out onto the top of Correction Wynd.

The chapel has already been open for visitors on two Saturdays and will be open again between 10am and 1pm on 30th July and 13th August, and between 10am and 4pm on 10th September (part of Doors Open Day). It is available to hire if people are interested – it has already hosted two meetings.

The next blog will show the interior changes.

Dates for opening St Mary’s Chapel

After the closure due to the pandemic and then workmen on site, the OpenSpace Trust is pleased to announce that a series of open mornings will take place on the following Saturdays

9th July between 10 am and 1 pm.

30th July between 10 am and 1 pm.

13th August between 10 am and 1 pm.

10th September between 10 am and 4 pm (part of Doors Open Day)

Entry will be by the new wheelchair accessible door just inside the Kirkyard (next to the loading bay) at the top of Correction Wynd.

There is no charge, but a donation would be welcomed.

It is also possible now to offer tea/coffee for those who wish to spend a little longer and enjoy the ambience of this special place

Work in progress during creating wheelchair access to St Mary’s Chapel

St Mary’s Chapel Open


After forced closure due to the pandemic and then workmen on site, the OpenSpace Trust is pleased to announce that the first of a series of open mornings will take place between

10 – 1 on Saturday 11th June.

Entry will be by the new wheelchair accessible door just inside the Kirkyard (next to the loading bay) at the top of Correction Wynd.

There is no charge, but a donation would be welcomed.

It is also possible now to offer tea/coffee for those who wish to spend a little longer and enjoy the ambience of this special place

Christmas Tree Festival 2021

During autumn 2021, the OpenSpace Trust was approached by Aberdeen City Council to seek help with organising and running a Christmas tree festival for Christmas 2021. We were pleased to agree.

In total 14 different organisations agreed to decorate a tree. Each was given the name of a carol to ‘inspire’ them – some were more challenging than others! Great ingenuity was used both in the way the carols were interpreted but also in the way this was brought to life in the decorations created. Some were highly topical such as using facemasks to make angels! The trees were displayed in Drum’s Aisle at the Kirk of St Nicholas on the three Saturdays in December prior to Christmas. The weather did not cooperate! It was cold and (very) wet each day, but a good number of people did brave the elements and many expressed their pleasure and appreciation of the event. For a ‘first try’ it was encouraging and already suggestions for ‘bigger and better’ in 2022 is being talked about.

We have individual photographs of each tree as well as some more general views (although lighting was rather inadequate for these). Only a selection of these can be shown here, but our thanks go to everyone who decorated a tree and who came along to enjoy the results. The following organisations participated:

Aberdeen City Council

Aberdeen Inspired

Aberdeen Performing Arts

Burgesses of the City of Aberdeen

Disability Equality Partnership

Ferryhill School

Gilcomstoun School

Hanover Street School

OpenSpace Trust

Robert Gordon’s College

Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen

Skene Square School

St Joseph’s RC School

Voluntary Service Aberdeen

We also record our thanks to two other organisations: Aberdeen Inspired who agreed to meet the costs and the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland for making Drum’s Aisle available. Watch out for the Christmas tree festival 2022!

Two new videos

As part of the virtual Doors Open Day 2021 in Aberdeen we have produced two new videos, both about the use of St Mary’s Chapel as a prison during the witches trials in 1596-97. They can be found under the YouTube Video tab along with those of last year. We hope to continue to produce new videos on a variety of subjects.

The witches, dating from about 1596, in St Mary’s Chapel

Building the Crypt

A large quantity of human remains were uncovered during the archaeological excavation in 2006. Since then they have been the subject of a great deal of study and research, some of which is ongoing. However, the aim has always been to re-inter them within the building. This is easy to write but more difficult to do, not least because of the large volume the bones occupy. It is also important that wherever they are buried it is in a place where they will not be disturbed again. Our architect was asked to draw up plans for a crypt to be built below the floor level of the lowest level of the proposed 4-storey building within the shell of the former East Kirk, in other words below the lowest levels of the dig.

We were able to obtain funding from the Town Centre Fund, a Scottish Government initiative being administered locally by Aberdeen City Council and we are very grateful to them for this. Once all permissions were obtained the contract to build the crypt was signed with CHAP Construction of Westhill. Work was scheduled to start in March 2020 – just after the beginning of the first Covid-19 lockdown. Not surprisingly it had to be postponed, finally getting underway in September 2020.

Early stages of excavation

Getting deeper

The first and slowest part of the work was the excavation of the large hole required. This was about 25 feet long and 11 feet wide and went down about 7 feet. Special machinery was needed which required a new temporary ramp to be built to give access.

The base is put in place

The walls are built

Once excavation was complete, the concrete base was made, then the walls were constructed and finally a wooden covering with access hatch and internal ladder was put in place. Work was completed in November. A number of photographs, mostly taken from the ‘viewing window’ off Drum’s Aisle, are included to show progress.

A wooden closure was made

Finished crypt – seen from the opposite end

At present none of the bones have been returned to the crypt because they all require placing into special boxes before this can be done. That will take quite a long time to process. Eventually, however, it is intended that there will be a religious ceremony to mark the laying to rest of the remains once more.

Madonna and Child

The OpenSpace Trust wishes all our followers a very Happy Christmas and a successful New Year.

This picture shows one of four carved wood panels in the West Kirk of St Nicholas. It shows Mary and the baby Jesus. The letters carved are IHS – the first three letters of Jesus in Greek – and M, indicating Mary. The style of the carving is European and suggests an early date. It is thought that they date back to mediaeval times, perhaps carved in Germany, but nothing is known for certain about their history.

Restoration of the Hamilton Memorial

In February 2015 a post about the Hamilton Memorial in the St Nicholas Kirkyard showed two photographs taken 10 years apart. They showed the deterioration over the years. This post shows that it has been restored. The work was undertaken by the Aberdeen City Heritage Trust during the first half of 2018. The architect for the work was Aberdeen-based David Chouman and the contractors were specialist stonemasons Harper and Allan of Keith.

The Hamilton Memorial during the restoration work in spring 2018

The Hamilton Memorial as it was in 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photographs show the memorial in 2015, work underway in spring 2018, the finished restoration and a close up of the plaque on the memorial. We are grateful to all who have been involved in this work.

The plaque on the Hamilton memorial

The Hamilton Memorial fully restored in summer 2018