ABERDEEN IN THE 18th CENTURY

During the 18th century life became more civilised and comfortable (for the well off anyway!). From 1721 the streets of Aberdeen were lit with oil lamps. In the same year it gained a primitive fire engine. Also in 1721 the first Episcopalian meeting house, St Pauls, was built.

The Royal Infirmary was built in Woolman hill in 1741. Also a man named Robert Gordon left money in his will to build a 'hospital'. It was actually a school for 14 boys and it was built in 1743.

New streets were built in Aberdeen in the 18th century. Marischal Street was built between 1767 and 1773.

The Robert Gordon Institute of Technology opened in 1775.

North Pier was built in 1780 and the Town House in Old Aberdeen was built in 1788.

Furthermore at the end of the 18th century a Police Act was passed which formed a body of men responsible for sweeping and lighting the streets of Aberdeen.

Although Aberdeen was occupied by Cumberland's troops in 1746 it escaped significant damage. The town continued to prosper.

In the 18th century Aberdeen's industries thrived. Aberdeen noted for the manufacture of linen. From the mid-18th century another industry was whaling. Whalers from Aberdeen sailed to Greenland. The blubber from whales was used to light lamps.