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| Head | Bishop of Aberdeen |
|---|---|
| Archdeacon(s) | Archdeacon of Aberdeen |
| Known rural deans | Aberdeen, Boyne, Buchan, Garioch, Mar |
| First attestation | 1131 x 1132 |
| Metropolitan before 1472 | None |
| Metropolitan after 1492 | Archbishop of St Andrews |
| Cathedral | St Machar's Cathedral |
| Dedication | St Machar |
| Native dedication | Saint Machar |
| Canons | Secular |
| Catholic successor | Resurrected 4 March 1878 (see Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen) |
| Episcopal successor | Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney |
The Diocese of Aberdeen was originally believed to be the direct continuation of an 11th-century bishopric at Mortlach in present-day Moray. However, this early date and the first bishops were based on a misinterpretation and reliance on the early charters found in the cartulary of Aberdeen Cathedral. These charters are now known to be false. The first recorded bishop of the diocese was Nectan, mentioned in the Book of Deer around 1132. The earliest direct written evidence of a bishop in Aberdeen appears in a papal bull addressed to Bishop Edward in 1157. This bull acknowledged the existence of his cathedral, discussed the formation of a chapter, and marked the beginning of the diocesan expansion.
The parochial system in Scotland had been developing since the early Middle Ages and saw significant progress under David I. He clarified the rights of the local church in terms of territory and jurisdiction. His reforms ensured that parishioners could support their priests by providing tiends, while local lords retained their rights to build churches and appoint priests. Over time, the lords’ patronage shifted to cathedrals and monasteries, enriching these institutions at the expense of the parishes. The cathedral, with its expanding number of canonries, used the appropriated income to sustain itself. The beneficiary canons had a duty to ensure an income for the parish vicars although the stipends were generally meagre.
Reconstruction of the cathedral began in the late 14th century and extended into the 16th century.