Old Town House, Aberdeen

The Old Town House in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a historic municipal building located on the High Street in Old Aberdeen. Originally built to serve as the meeting place for the burgh council, the structure is now home to the King's Museum and holds Category A listed status due to its architectural and historical significance.

In the early 17th century, the burgh council met in a small room above Saint Machar's Cathedral. As this arrangement became insufficient, a dedicated townhouse was commissioned and constructed in 1642. This initial building served multiple purposes: a school and a weigh-house on the ground floor, while the first floor housed the council chamber. In 1702, the structure was expanded to include prison cells and a clock tower.

By the 1780s, the building had fallen into disrepair, and in 1788 construction began on a new townhouse designed by local architect George Jaffrey. The completed Georgian-style structure featured a symmetrical granite façade with three bays, a central doorway, and sash windows on each level. The clock tower, crowned by a belfry, incorporated a bell cast in 1754 by John Mowat, a relic from the previous building.

The Old Town House remained the council's meeting place until 1891 when Old Aberdeen was annexed by the City of Aberdeen. Subsequently, the building served various community roles, including as a school and later as a library. In 2001, the University of Aberdeen acquired the building, and following renovations supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the structure was refurbished. The King's Museum moved into the Old Town House in 2013, showcasing a collection of artifacts originally assembled at King's College dating back to 1727.