Aberdeen’s distinguished civic heritage was brought vividly to life on Tuesday 25 November, when Trinity Hall hosted the official launch of The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen: A History of Helping to Shape a City and Its People.
This significant new publication examines the lasting influence of Aberdeen’s historic trade organisations – the Hammermen, Bakers, Wrights & Coopers, Tailors, Shoemakers, Weavers and Fleshers – on the city’s identity, economy and community spirit. Through meticulous research and evocative narrative, the book demonstrates how these trades not only shaped Aberdeen’s built environment and traditions, but also contributed to the wellbeing, resilience and civic pride of its people across the centuries.
Credit: Norman Adams-Aberdeen City Council
Guests gathered in the historic surroundings of Trinity Hall, the home of the Incorporated Trades, to mark the occasion. The launch featured reflections on the legacy of the Trades, with speeches delivered by authors Ex Deacon Convener Graeme Nicol and Dr Alexander Sutherland. Nicol remarked: “This volume affirms the enduring legacy of Aberdeen’s Incorporated Trades, honouring past craftsmanship and civic service while recognising how their values of skill, resilience and duty continue shaping the city’s identity and future.” The volume also honours the memory of author George Leslie Donaldson, whose valued contributions are warmly remembered.
Professor Jackson Armstrong, Professor Michael Brown and the Lord Provost David Cameron spoke at the event, underlining the importance of preserving and sharing this heritage. The publication is intended as both a scholarly resource and a cultural touchstone, inviting readers to reflect on how local traditions continue to shape Aberdeen’s future.
Copies of “The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen: A History of Helping to Shape a City and Its People “are now available through local outlets and directly from The Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.