Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM10424_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600013656)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a section of the Aberdeenshire Canal and a bridge, visible as an earthwork and an upstanding structure respectively. This well-preserved section of the (now drained) Aberdeenshire Canal lies in a grass-covered playing field on the N side of Great Northern Road, Woodside, in the City of Aberdeen.

This section of the canal appears as a substantial linear gulley, with a steep bank along its S side and a lower bank along its N side, with a stone bridge towards the W end of the monument, which now carries Station Road. This canal section is aligned with the N edge of the Great Northern Road, and is discernible over a length of some 140m, from approximately 30m W of the bridge to 110m E of the bridge, where it meets Deer Road and disappears. The area to either side is now built up, but Canal Street to the E both refers to and continues the line of the historic canal.

The bridge arch has a maximum span of 4.4m, indicating the original width of the canal. The bridge is built of large granite blocks and terminates in 3m-high pillars of granite at either end, which have been obscured by later re-modelling of the bridge. On its E face, the bridge arch (which stands 2.1m high maximum above the present ground surface), is intact and open, though blocked by a modern gate. The arch in the W face has been blocked with stone.

This canal ran from Port Elphinstone, just S of Inverurie, to Aberdeen harbour, following a course 18.25 miles (29km) in length above the right-hand bank of the River Don. The Act of Parliament that sanctioned its construction in 1796 declared that its purpose was to 'promote the improvement and better cultivation of the inland parts of the country'.

Construction was carried out by various contractors, with George Fletcher as resident engineer and John Rennie as consultant. The canal opened in 1805. It operated until 1854, when it was replaced by the Aberdeen to Inverness line of the Great North of Scotland Railway, which was built along roughly the same alignment, obliterating much of the canal's course.

The area proposed for scheduling comprises the remains described. It is irregular in shape with maximum dimensions of 140m (WNW-ESE) by 30m transversely, as marked in red on the accompanying map. It is demarcated at the W end by the steps leading down to the modern houses and Station House; and at the E end by Deer Road. The scheduling excludes the road surface over the bridge and the gate in the E face of the bridge, to allow for routine maintenance.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance as one of only a handful of surviving elements of the Aberdeenshire Canal, which was at one time a significant economic artery serving the hinterland of the City of Aberdeen. Its importance is enhanced by the documentary evidence that exists relating to the legal and commercial history of the canal during its period of use.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.