Macduff Marine Aquarium wind and watertight with cladding nearing completion

Good progress continues to be made around the multi-million redevelopment and extension of Macduff Marine Aquarium.

Despite facing weeks of harsh winter weather to contend with, main contractor Ogilvie Construction has confirmed the popular attraction is now wind and watertight, while Newburgh-based KR Group is forging ahead with the striking cladding having erected the steelworks.

More than 50 tradespeople are currently working on site, including seven apprentices and a local labourer employed by Ogilvie Construction. 

Supporting apprenticeships is a key part of Ogilvie’s approach to community benefit delivery, helping to create meaningful local employment and training opportunities throughout the redevelopment. 

The apprentices are gaining real site experience across a range of disciplines, including mechanical and engineering, joinery and cladding. They are supported by qualified trades and management, ensuring they develop the skills and behaviors needed to progress within the construction industry long after the project completes.

Banff Academy pupils have also been enjoying site visits to get an insight into the various career paths offered within the construction industry, with further visits scheduled in the coming months.

The impressive new two-storey extension at the front of the popular attraction will house the main entrance, retail area, new learning room and upstairs café/restaurant, as well as a much sought-after Changing Places toilet.  

The project is being developed with the support of UK Government funding together with other external funding streams and financial support from Aberdeenshire Council. 

Once completed this summer, the aquarium operated by Live Life Aberdeenshire will benefit from significant modernisation which will include expanded facilities and enhanced exhibits and will help fully realise the aquarium’s potential and significantly enhance the visitor experience.

Landscaping works have also been forging ahead to breathe new life into the aquarium site.

Gravel beds in the parking area have been replaced with a coastal meadow mix, clusters of pine trees have been planted, while the new accessible surfaced promenade has pre-cast concrete seats and marram grasses.  

The path around the existing seawall has been resurfaced and leads to the children’s play area which has dune landscape planting beds. The existing play equipment has been reused along with the picnic tables.

There’s also been some tremendous community spirit in recent weeks – with Macduff Shipyards fabricating feature benches made from the timber larch they use to create robust seating.  

Ogilvie has also donated a number of surplus pre-cast concrete benches to the harbour and has also been supplying the Banff and Macduff Men’s Shed with a number of wooden pallets to help them progress with their amazing projects.

With the redevelopment of the aquarium progressing well, one of the priorities is to appoint an external catering business to operate the cafe/restaurant during opening hours with an option to add additional out-of-hours provision.

The new cafe/restaurant is being created on the first floor, with impressive views out to sea and into the main aquarium tank itself. It will offer 65 covers across a range of different seating options - tables and chairs, soft seating, and coffee bar - a fitted servery and a fully-fitted commercial kitchen.

Live Life Aberdeenshire is now seeking to work in partnership with an enterprising hospitality business and the contract is now being procured through the Public Contract Scotland portal with interest sought by February 13 - https://tinyurl.com/4t3ypprj 

Welcoming the significant progress at the aquarium, Aberdeenshire Council co-leader and chair of the council’s Communities Committee, Cllr Anne Stirling, said: “Given the horrendous weather conditions, heavy snow and strong coastal gales we experienced since the start of the year, I congratulate everyone working on site for making such tremendous progress. At each step of the construction process including the recent works on the cladding and the wider landscaping there is a growing anticipation for the aquarium’s reopening. I also want to extend my personal thanks to all our dedicated aquarium staff for their continuing care of our sealife ‘residents’ and for their continued engagement with the public by way of fascinating pop-up events which is maintaining access to the exhibits.”

Mark Anderson, projects director, Ogilvie Construction, North said: “The team has worked hard, often in some challenging weather conditions, to reach this significant milestone. It’s a credit to everyone involved in the project that progress has remained so strong. With the cladding and landscape now taking shape, the scale of the project is becoming increasingly visible and we look forward to handing over a magnificent new community attraction this summer.”