ABSTRACT
At a population of some 25,000 by the late 18th century Aberdeen was not obliged to expand by design. It could have continued to grow in a natural manner, that is, a slow migration into contiguous but empty ground (Cruikshank 1990). This had already begun north-eastwards in the Evens Quarter and to a degree along the new harbour works of the Fittie Quarter, or northwards towards the Spital and Old Aberdeen. Its closer suburbs, Gilcomston, Broadford, Skene’s Square, Hardgate, or empty ground at Ferryhill or Polmuir offered other alternatives – but Aberdeen wished to grow by design. It wished to have an easy and more efficient connection to the west and south by the Bridge of Dee. Perhaps it wished to grow westward, although this was never stated as aim, and that was blocked by the valley of the Denburn. It certainly wanted more fully to join the efforts of Edinburgh whose recent New Town had reached to its west end and the newly begun Charlotte Square with further ground staked for expansion along the roads northwards and halfway to Leith.
