Gordon Barracks is a military installation situated in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

Gordon Barracks
Bridge of Don
Gordon Barracks Junior Ranks Mess
Gordon Barracks is located in Aberdeen City council area
Gordon Barracks
Gordon Barracks
Location within Aberdeen
Coordinates57°10′50″N 2°5′20″W / 57.18056°N 2.08889°W / 57.18056; -2.08889
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1933–1935
Built forWar Office
In use1935 – present
Garrison information
OccupantsDetachments from
  • 7th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland
  • 32 Signal Regiment
  • 215 (Scottish) Multirole Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps
  • Aberdeen University Officers' Training Corps
  • Aberdeen Detachment, Royal Marines Reserve Scotland

History

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The barrack buildings, which were built by J and W Wittet between 1933 and 1935, are located around the barrack square.[1]

Constructed of dressed granite blocks, the two-storey central block, once used as the Junior Ranks Club, is typical of the style with three bays and being rectangular in shape. The roof is crowstepped and slated. It has very grand Royal coated arms tripartite above with pediment detail. Other listed buildings include: the Medical Reception Centre, three barracks blocks, the Guard Room, Gate Piers and Gates, Married Quarters, the Officers Mess and the Gymnasium.[2] The barracks became the depot of the Gordon Highlanders, who had relocated from Castlehill Barracks, as soon as they opened in 1935.[3]

The barracks became the regional centre for infantry training as the Highland Brigade Depot in 1960.[4] In 1970, following the formation of the Scottish Division, adult Highland Brigade recruits removed to The Scottish Division Depot at Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik. Junior soldiers from the Lowland Brigade moved from Glencorse to Gordon Barracks on the same day. The barracks closed to Junior Soldier training in 1986.[1]

Gordon Barracks are now used by a variety of organisations, including Army Reserve infantry, signals and medical units, and Royal Marines Reserve.[5]

Based units

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The following units are based at Gordon Barracks.[6]

British Army

His Majesty's Naval Service

References

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  1. ^ a b "Drill Hall Summary". Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  2. ^ "British Listed Buildings". Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  3. ^ "The Gordon Barracks in Aberdeen" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Infantry Brigade Depots (Location)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 7 March 1958. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  5. ^ "MOD Army". Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Army Reserve units in Scotland - British Army". Army – Be The Best. Retrieved 29 July 2018.