Old photograph of the Salvation Army Citadel in Aberdeen, Scotland. At the upper end of Castlegate, located centrally at the east end of the city's main thoroughfare Union Street, stands The Salvation Army Citadel, a castellated mansion, on the site of the medieval Aberdeen Castle. Castlegate was named after the site of the castle gates until their destruction in 1308. It is thought the original castle and fortifications were burned down by King Robert the Bruce in June 1308, during the Wars of Scottish Independence immediately following the Harrying of Buchan. Bruce and his men laid siege to the castle before massacring the English Garrison to prevent its use by the English troops of King Edward II. It is said the Scots showed no mercy but " slew every man who fell into their hands. " King Edward I, indeed, had already set the example of executing his prisoners, and it was not to be expected that the other side would fail to follow the same course. On 10 July 1308, English ships left Hartlepool to help the English garrison. However, by August 1308, Gilbert Pecche and the last troops had all been forced out of the city. Following the destruction of Aberdeen Castle, Bruce marched his men to capture Forfar Castle. Legend tells that the city's motto, Bon Accord, came from the password used to initiate Bruce's final push and destruction of the castle.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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