The Siege of Aberdeen Castle

Considering Scotland has thousands of castles and Aberdeenshire is known as Castle Country, it seems strange that the city of Aberdeen has no castle itself! That hasn’t always been the case, a fact given away by the name Castlegate, where the Mercat Cross stands, along with the three castles on Aberdeen’s Coat of Arms. The city’s peculiar motto of “Bon Accord” has another part to play in the story of the stronghold’s fate.

Aberdeen Castle was once one of the most notable fortresses in Scotland, guarding a vitally important town, so found itself fiercely fought over during the Wars of Independence. However, when King Edward I of England arrived in the northeast during his attempt to subjugate Scotland in 1296, there was so little resistance that the castle at Aberdeen was simply handed over.

Legend says that the very next year William Wallace made his way to the town, fresh from capturing Dunnottar Castle. His small Scots army arrived so quickly that they discovered the English garrison attempting to flee in 100 ships, all rightfully terrified at the freedom fighter’s brutal reputation. Unfortunately for them, the harbour was impassable at low tide and they were left as sitting ducks for harsh Scottish revenge.

By June 1308, Aberdeen Castle was back in English hands and being besieged by King Robert the Bruce. He had just finished the Harrying of Buchan, harshly punishing those who followed his opponents the Comyns and all he had left to do now was capture Aberdeen. Without the siege weapons to destroy the walls or time to starve the garrison out, the King had to resort to his wits.

The people of Aberdeen joined Bruce’s army and an attack was planned, using the cover of darkness to their advantage. As the Scots spread out, creeping closer to the castle and preparing to assault the walls, they listened for the coded order to attack. Once they were all in position, the King cried out “Bon Accord” and the attackers stormed their way to victory.

Like most Scottish strongholds, once the Scots had taken the castle, they were ordered to destroy it. The King couldn’t spare the men to garrison a castle and with the people of Aberdeen proving their loyalty, he had no need to. That loyalty would be remembered and rewarded in 1319 with the issuing of the Stocket Charter, awarding Aberdeen the income from the King’s nearby royal forest.