Dark Aberdeen: Piracy, Slavery and Insurrection

(110 reviews)

Aberdeen audio tour: Dark Aberdeen: Piracy, Slavery and Insurrection

This is a 0.9mi walking tour

It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.

Aberdeen

The United Kingdom

$8.99

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About the Tour

Take a walk through the dark side of Aberdeen's history on this trip back through the centuries where we'll discover the murkier corners of Aberdeen's past. Starting at the old market centre of town, the Mercat Cross, we journey towards the harbour to find out about Aberdeen's maritime associations and how it was once the powerhouse port of Scotland. Learn about the city's connection with the oil industry, have a look at some of its oldest buildings and hear tales of slavery, piracy and the seedier characters of Aberdeen's colourful and often troublesome past. Hit the cobblestones with me and let's unearth some of the stories hidden in the granite city.

Tour Producer

Bryan Atchison

2 tours

Our family is international. We have had a number of trips in various countries wondering what we were looking at. I'm informed that my knowledge about Scotland enriches our visitor's experience here. I'd like to share some of that knowledge with a wider audience to help others enjoy the culture and history of our fascinating country.

Preview Location

Location 21

Slavery - Watch the Children

Please proceed to the base of the steps in front of you. Then stop and turn around.

This is a pedestrian area so you are safe to stop here.

[4 SECOND PAUSE]

This place was the location of a building called "The Barn", which is perhaps the darkest story in Aberdeen's... Please proceed to the base of the steps in front of you. Then stop and turn around.

This is a pedestrian area so you are safe to stop here.

[4 SECOND PAUSE]

This place was the location of a building called "The Barn", which is perhaps the darkest story in Aberdeen's history.

For a six year period from 1740, around 600 children were kidnapped in the heart of Aberdeen and then imprisoned in the Barn and the Toolbooth jail. When the next ship bound for Virginia or Alabama requiring slaves came into port, the children were then sold into slavery, never to be seen again, apart from one boy.

A boy called Peter, came into Aberdeen on market day with his parents. He was kidnapped and his story is amazing. He was whipped and chained up in Aberdeen, then put on a ship to Virginia in terrible conditions. It turns out Peter didn't like being a slave and he escaped westward in America. He was found by a Native American tribe and they brought him up as their own. He learned how to track, hunt and cook animals and survive off the land.

When Peter got to his mid 20s he decided to go back to his home in Aberdeen. He travelled to the eastern seaboard of America, somehow got the money together and then took the long journey back to his home town. Upon his return, dressed as a Native American, he published a pamphlet talking about his amazing journey, making a point of naming and shaming his kidnappers and slavers. The accused were prominent traders and town officials who could not bear to be found out in this way. They accused Indian Peter, as he had become known, of libellous slander. They had him run out of town. Peter gathered more evidence and eventually the legal system came down in Indian Peter's favour.

Peter lived the rest of his life, dressed as a Native American, running a pub in Edinburgh and regaling visitors to his pub tales of his life and times in America.

Following Peter's efforts, the kidnapping and slavery of the children of Aberdeen ceased.

When you're ready to move on, retrace your steps back towards Hadden Street, sticking to the left hand side of the Green. Just check the children are with you! Read More

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Major Landmarks

Mercat Cross
Marischal Street
Regent Quay
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Marischal Square, Aberdeen
Marischal College

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Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
Mercat Cross, Castle St, Aberdeen AB11 5HP, UK
Total distance

1km
Final location
Marischal St, Aberdeen AB11 5DW, UK
Distance back to start location

312.22m

Directions to Starting Point

Starting at the Mercat Cross at the Eastern end of Union Street, a short walk from the Visit Scotland centre.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Aberdeen Maritime Museum, The Green, Provost Skene's House, The Prince of Wales pub

Best time of day

Best time of day is through the day when there is plenty of daylight.

Precautions

The area is safe but always be street smart.

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“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”