Aberdeen’s historic Castlegate area is set to undergo a comprehensive £13 million transformation, which commences its main construction next week, is part of a broader commitment by Aberdeen City Council to revitalise key areas of the city. The £150 million masterplan, approved in June 2015, seeks to create vibrant and accessible spaces, positioning Aberdeen as a destination of choice for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
Work at Castlegate, a historically significant central square dating back to the medieval period, will be executed in phases. The initial stage involves fencing off the central area, though pedestrian access along the north and south footways, as well as access for local businesses and residents, will be maintained. This phase includes the removal of existing street furniture, excavations for Scottish Gas utility diversions, and the installation of new drainage and utility ducting. New Scottish stone slabs and local granite setts will then be laid.
Key historical landmarks within Castlegate are also integral to the revamp. The 340-year-old Mercat Cross, a Category A listed structure dating to 1686 and renowned as one of Scotland’s most complete and best-preserved mercat crosses, will be fenced off for restoration.
Additionally, the Gordon Highlanders statue, unveiled in 2011 to commemorate the distinguished regiment, will be temporarily relocated from its current position and stored, with plans for its permanent re-siting opposite the VSA bookshop upon project completion.
A golden post box, erected in 2012 to honour Aberdeen-born Olympian Dame Katherine Grainger’s gold medal win, will also be temporarily removed and entrusted to Royal Mail for safekeeping.
Future phases will see the installation of new slabs and setts across the remaining footways, followed by modern street furniture, seating, and improved lighting.
A recognised challenge for the site team involves identifying any unrecorded utility services or hidden obstructions beneath the surface, which could potentially impact the project’s timeline.
Aberdeen City Council leaders have welcomed the project’s commencement as a pivotal moment in the city’s transformation. Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill stated: “The historic Mercat Cross and the Gordon Highlanders’ Memorial will be key features of the refurbished Castlegate. The new Castlegate will have a better and safer surface, more usable spaces for people to spend time, and help reinvigorate the eastern city centre.”
Councillor Alex McLellan, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, added: “The start of works at the Castlegate is the next step in our city centre and beachfront transformation. The Castlegate is a historic part of the city, and this major refurbishment will ensure it continues to be an area of the city centre for people to enjoy for years to come.”
Hub North Scotland serves as the council’s delivery partner for the wider city centre and beach masterplan, with Morrison Construction Infrastructure appointed as the main contractor for the Castlegate works.
Ewen Fowlie, Operations Director at Hub North Scotland, expressed confidence in the project’s long-term benefits: “These works will create a destination that will attract more people and increase footfall for businesses and premises around the Castlegate. We are looking forward to delivering something that Aberdeen will be proud of.”
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Rod Buchan, Construction Manager at Morrison Construction Infrastructure, affirmed the company’s commitment: “This project represents a major investment in the future of the city centre, and our team is committed to carrying out the works safely, considerately and to the highest quality.”
Aberdeen City Council’s £20 million Union Street Central streetscaping project – also part of the wider £150 million City Centre and Beach Masterplan – was originally due to be completed in late summer 2025, but has since been pushed back due to unforeseen complications on site, including old tram sleepers embedded in the concrete base course, an undocumented redundant water main, and lower-than-required contractor productivity. Aberdeen City Council revised the target to Spring 2026, though the local authority has warned that ongoing risks on site make a further slip into summer 2026 likely.
Meanwhile, the Castlegate regeneration project is slated for completion in summer 2027.
