Gallows Hill: Aberdeen’s Grim Execution Ground Through the Centuries

Historical Role as Aberdeen’s Execution Site

Gallows Hill served as Aberdeen’s primary place for public executions from the 14th century until the late 18th century. Condemned criminals were brought here to face their fate, often drawing large crowds eager to witness the grim spectacle. The hill’s elevated position allowed onlookers to view the proceedings from a distance, with the North Sea visible beyond the open grasslands that once surrounded the site. Executions were public events intended both as punishment and deterrent, with the bodies sometimes displayed post-mortem as warnings to others.

The Last Execution and Its Harrowing Details

The final hanging at Gallows Hill occurred in 1776, involving Alexander Morison, who was convicted of murdering his wife with an axe. Despite a cold and stormy day, a large crowd gathered to watch. Unlike later methods designed to ensure a swift death, Morison’s execution was agonizingly slow. Bound hand and foot with a rope around his neck, he was placed on a cart which was then whipped forward by the executioner’s pony, causing Morison to slowly choke to death. His body was subsequently hung in chains on the gibbet until it decomposed, serving as a stark warning.

Archaeological Discoveries and Changing Landscape

In the 19th century, part of Gallows Hill was excavated to build a gunpowder magazine for the nearby King Street Militia barracks. During this work, piles of human bones were uncovered—remains of those executed and buried beneath the hill, excluded from consecrated ground due to their crimes. Over time, the open grasslands gave way to urban development, including housing and the nearby Aberdeen Football Club stadium at Pittodrie, altering the once isolated and foreboding environment.

Atmosphere and Legacy Today

Standing on Gallows Hill today, visitors can still sense the weight of its history. The site’s transformation into a modern urban area contrasts sharply with its past as a place of death and justice. Local stories and the echo of the baying crowds linger in the imagination, especially at sunset when the fading light casts long shadows. The hill remains a poignant reminder of Aberdeen’s medieval and early modern justice system, its brutal punishments, and the social order of the time.

Connection to Broader Scottish Execution Traditions

Gallows Hill fits into a wider Scottish tradition of execution sites often located on prominent hills or ‘dule trees’—trees or structures used for hangings and gibbeting. These places were deliberately visible to serve as warnings. Aberdeen’s Gallows Hill is one of many such sites across Scotland, reflecting the harshness of historic criminal justice and the cultural importance of public punishment as a deterrent.

Preservation and Interpretation

While no formal visitor center or extensive signage marks Gallows Hill, its historical significance is preserved through local history projects and blogs. The site invites reflection on the darker chapters of Aberdeen’s past and the evolution of justice. Visitors are encouraged to imagine the scenes of centuries past and consider the human stories behind the stones and earth of this somber landmark.