Construction of museum of Aberdeenshire and Peterhead Library to begin

Construction of the landmark museum of Aberdeenshire and new Peterhead Library is set to begin on June 8 following the appointment of CHAP Group as principal contractor.

The multi-million-pound project will be delivered by Hub North Scotland and marks a major milestone in the transformation of Peterhead town centre, breathing new life into the historic Arbuthnot House on Broad Street.

Supported by £20 million from the UK Local Regeneration Fund, alongside capital investment from Aberdeenshire Council and financial support from external funders including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland, the project forms a central part of the ambitious “Cultural Tides: North Sea Connections in Aberdeenshire” programme, which also includes the renovation and extension of Macduff Aquarium.

Over the next two years, Arbuthnot House will be sensitively restored and extended to create a vibrant cultural destination housing both the town’s library and the council’s first-ever shire-wide museum. The new museum will showcase some of the region’s extensive heritage collections and artwork, offering visitors an unprecedented opportunity to explore Aberdeenshire’s rich and diverse stories.

State-of-the-art permanent galleries will significantly expand the number of objects on public display, bringing many treasures out of storage for the first time. From natural history and archaeology to social history and art, the museum will offer space to tell both old and new stories and better reflect the ever-changing people and places that have shaped Aberdeenshire.

The new attraction, expected to open in late 2028, will feature purpose-built galleries, a dedicated temporary exhibitions space capable of hosting touring national shows, and flexible workshop and learning areas to support participation, education and community engagement. A new restaurant with an outdoor terrace and a small retail area will further enhance the visitor experience.

Creative interpretation will play a central role, with music, interactives, film and Doric language woven throughout the displays. A community gallery will enable regular changes to exhibitions and provide opportunities for local groups to co-curate displays, while a dedicated gallery will celebrate the heritage of Peterhead itself alongside stories from across the wider shire.

Local traffic management plans are being put in place for the construction phase and will be shared within the local community shortly.

On behalf of Live Life Aberdeenshire which will run the two news facilities, Laurence Findlay, Director of Education and Children’s Services, said: “The appointment of CHAP paves the way for construction to begin on the new museum of Aberdeenshire and Peterhead Library, which will be a vibrant new space celebrating the people, stories and treasures which make our region truly one of a kind. This museum is for everyone across the Shire and, thanks to our own significant investment and the generous external funding, we’re not just building a museum – we’re investing in the future of tourism, culture and the local economy in the north of Aberdeenshire.”

Andy McNair, Pre-Construction Director at CHAP Group Ltd, said: “We are proud to be appointed by Aberdeenshire Council to deliver this landmark cultural project for Peterhead. Working in partnership with hub North Scotland and the wider team, we look forward to creating a destination that will serve the community, celebrate local history, and support the long-term regeneration of the town centre. Our team is committed to delivering the project safely, sustainably, and to the highest standards, ensuring a meaningful legacy for the region. This year marks a major milestone for CHAP as we celebrate 50 years in business. As a local company this project reflects how far we have grown and will showcase our collaborative approach. We look forward to getting on site.”

Ewen Fowlie, Operations Director for Hub North Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be working with Aberdeenshire Council once again on a project which will transform and revitalise such a key landmark in Peterhead.”

An artist's impression of the completed museum of Aberdeenshire and Peterhead Library project.