500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Set out on a chilling journey through Aberdeen’s grim past with ‘500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour.’ This captivating experience delves into the city’s haunting history, from the gruesome practice of bodysnatching to the horrors of the witch trials. As you navigate the tour, you’ll encounter macabre displays, haunting reenactments, and tales of notorious criminals that will leave you with a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shaped this city. Brace yourself for an immersive and unsettling exploration that may just linger in your mind long after the tour has ended.

Key Points

• The self-guided audio tour explores Aberdeen’s grim history, including bodysnatching, witch trials, public punishments, and notorious criminals over the past 500 years.
• The Tolbooth Museum offers an immersive experience in the harsh realities of 16th-17th century justice, showcasing well-preserved cells, courtrooms, and accounts of prisoner experiences.
• The tour delves into the practice of bodysnatching, which plagued Aberdeen in the 18th-19th centuries, and the Anatomy Act of 1832 that legalized the use of bodies for medical education.
• Visitors can discover the dark alleyways and haunted locations of Aberdeen, where the footsteps of restless spirits and the ghosts of executed criminals are said to linger.
• The captivating tour provides a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shaped Aberdeen’s past, revealing the blurred lines between justice and cruelty.

Bodysnatching and the Anatomy Act

Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

‘Bodysnatching and the Anatomy Act’

The practice of bodysnatching, the illegal exhumation of corpses for medical study, plagued Aberdeen in the 18th and 19th centuries as the city’s medical schools grappled with a shortage of cadavers for anatomy lessons.

Grave robbers, known as ‘resurrectionists‘, would steal freshly buried bodies and sell them to doctors for dissection. This gruesome trade wasn’t outlawed until the Anatomy Act of 1832, which allowed medical schools to legally use the bodies of the poor and unclaimed.

Hear how this grisly history shaped the city’s medical landscape on the tour as you explore Aberdeen’s darker past.

Witch Trials and Superstitious Beliefs

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Aberdeen was gripped by a wave of witch trials, as the city’s residents grappled with deep-seated superstitions and fears of the unknown. Accused witches were subjected to horrific interrogations and tests, with many ultimately meeting a grisly end at the gallows or the stake.

Hear chilling tales of these historic witch hunts as you explore the city’s dark legacy during the tour.

The audio tour will take you to:

1. The site of the largest witch trial in Scottish history, where over 70 accused witches were executed.
2. An ancient well rumored to have been used for ‘swimming’ suspected witches.
3. The Tolbooth, where many accused witches were imprisoned and tortured before their executions.

Tolbooth Museum and Historic Landmarks

Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

The audio tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through the Tolbooth Museum, a historic landmark that once served as a prison and administrative center for the city of Aberdeen. As you step inside, you’ll be immersed in the grim realities of 16th and 17th century justice, learning about the plight of the accused witches who were once detained within these walls. The tour explores the museum’s well-preserved cells and courtrooms, offering a window into the harsh conditions and inhumane treatment that prisoners endured. From haunting reenactments to detailed historical accounts, the experience brings the past to life, leaving a lasting impression on all who venture through these hallowed halls.

Feature	Description
Location	Tolbooth Museum, Union Street, Aberdeen
Highlights	Preserved 16th-17th century prison cells, courtrooms, and administrative spaces
Themes	Witch trials, harsh justice, inhumane conditions, historical reenactments
Duration	Approximately 45 minutes
Accessibility	Not wheelchair accessible, service animals allowed, infants must sit on laps

Gruesome Executions and Public Punishments

Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

As the self-guided tour continues, visitors are met with grim reminders of Aberdeen’s dark past – tales of gruesome executions and public punishments that once shocked and horrified the city. The Tolbooth Museum’s exhibits transport guests back in time, revealing the harsh realities faced by those accused of the most heinous crimes.

The tour highlights three chilling examples:

1. The public hangings that drew crowds eager to witness the final moments of condemned criminals.
2. The ‘branks’ device, a medieval iron muzzle used to punish and humiliate women accused of witchcraft or other offenses.
3. The pillory, where offenders were restrained and subjected to jeers, rotten produce, and even physical attacks from the baying mob.

These macabre displays serve as a stark reminder of the cruel justice system that once prevailed in the city.

Notorious Criminals and Unsolved Mysteries

What dark secrets lurk within the city’s storied past? The self-guided audio tour delves into the lives of Aberdeen’s most notorious criminals, whose exploits continue to captivate and horrify to this day.

Explore the case of the ‘Aberdeen Slasher,’ a mysterious figure who terrorized the city in the 1930s, cutting the throats of unsuspecting victims.

Uncover the story of notorious body snatchers Burke and Hare, who supplied the city’s medical schools with fresh cadavers by any means necessary.

Discover the chilling tale of the ‘Witch of Fittie,’ a woman accused of practicing sorcery and executed for her alleged crimes.

This gripping tour sheds light on the city’s dark underbelly, leaving listeners with a newfound appreciation for its gritty history.

Dark Alleyways and Haunted Locations

Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Aberdeen’s winding alleys and shadowy corners harbor a chilling history, where the footsteps of restless spirits echo through the darkness. From the narrow, fog-shrouded lanes near the docks to the eerie silence of the city’s oldest graveyards, the tour delves into the paranormal legends that have haunted this ancient Scottish city for centuries.

The tour explores:

1. The haunting of the Tolbooth, where the ghosts of executed criminals are said to linger.
2. The ghostly sightings at St. Machar’s Cathedral, where the spirits of long-forgotten souls are rumored to roam.
3. The unsettling history of the Gallows Hill, where the condemned were once hanged, their tortured cries still heard on the wind.

Insight Into Aberdeen’s Grim Past

Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Beneath Aberdeen’s modern veneer, a grim tapestry of history unfolds, revealing a dark and often unsettling past that continues to captivate the imagination.

From the chilling tales of bodysnatching that once haunted the city’s streets to the harrowing accounts of the notorious witchcraft trials, this self-guided audio tour offers a unique glimpse into Aberdeen’s grim history.

Listeners will be transported to a time when the line between justice and cruelty blurred, and the echoes of suffering still linger.

Through vivid storytelling and immersive soundscapes, the tour invites participants to confront the city’s darkest moments and gain a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shaped its past.

Navigating the Tour and Key Information

Embarking on this self-guided audio tour, visitors will find themselves equipped with a smartphone, headphones, and access to the VoiceMap app – the essential tools needed to enjoy Aberdeen’s grim past. The tour conveniently starts outside the Tolbooth Museum on Union Street and ends at the Aberdeen Town House, allowing easy access to public transportation.

Along the way, the audio guide will lead explorers through a captivating journey, covering topics like:

1. The unnerving history of bodysnatching and the notorious characters involved.
2. The chilling tales of the city’s witchcraft trials and the fate of those accused.
3. The eerie landmarks that stand as reminders of Aberdeen’s darkest chapters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Audio Device for the Tour?

Yes, you can use your own audio device for the tour. The tour is self-guided, so you’re welcome to use your own headphones or earbuds to listen to the audio content on the VoiceMap app.

Is the Tour Suitable for Children Under 12?

The tour may not be suitable for young children under 12 as it covers some dark historical topics like bodysnatching and witchcraft trials. Parents should exercise discretion and consider if the content is appropriate for their child’s age and maturity level.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Students or Seniors?

Yes, the tour offers discounts for students and seniors. You can save 10% on the tour price by showing a valid student or senior ID when you meet the guide to start the self-guided experience.

Can I Pause or Rewind the Audio During the Tour?

Yes, you can pause or rewind the audio during the tour. The VoiceMap app allows users to control the audio playback, so you can revisit any part of the tour at your own pace.

Are There Restroom Facilities Along the Tour Route?

The tour route does not include any dedicated restroom facilities. However, there are public restrooms available at various locations along the way, such as the Tolbooth Museum and the Aberdeen Town House, where the tour starts and ends.

Recap

From the chilling tales of bodysnatchers to the horrors of the witch trials, ‘A Self-Guided Audio Tour’ provides a truly immersive experience into Aberdeen’s dark past.

Visitors will be captivated by the gruesome displays and haunting reenactments, leaving with a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shaped the city’s history.

This tour is a must-visit for anyone interested in uncovering the macabre secrets of Aberdeen’s grim past.