New internal pictures of renovation work at one of Aberdeen’s most historic homes have been branded “shocking” by a city council opposition leader.
Liberal Democrat chief Ian Yuill visited the 16th-century Provost Skene’s House on Broad Street to investigate the ongoing £1.5million Hall of Heroes renovation being created.
The pictures show coffee cups left on historic surfaces and the roof apparently unprotected – prompting Mr Yuill to write to chief executive Angela Scott with his concerns.
It has recently emerged that a new business case is being prepared for the attraction following a condition survey and the facility was unlikely to open until January 2019. The city council’s finance committee this week voted to postpone a decision on further work to the historic property until officers came back with more information.
Mr Yuill said: “People have been asking for some time what had happened inside Provost Skene’s House so, once building work around it finished, I asked to be allowed to visit.
“That visit took place last week and I took some photographs, so that others could see how Provost Skene’s House now looks inside.
“I was surprised just how untidy Provost Skene’s House was in places. I was also surprised to see that the painted ceilings and panels were not protected.
“I was shocked to see that, in one place, disposable coffee cups had been left sitting on woodwork. I still remember my mum telling me as a child never to put anything hot or wet on her wooden tables – and the woodwork inside Provost Skene’s House is a lot older and more precious than my mum’s tables.”
Chairman of Aberdeen city’s community council, Dustin MacDonald, mirrored Mr Yuill’s concern and last night expressed fears there could be potential long term damage to the building.
A council spokesman responded: “Its historic features were not exposed to risk. The key issue at the moment is to maintain the correct relative humidity, which is currently being monitored on a regular basis to ensure this happens.
“During any refurbishment, the building would be suitably protected against potential damage to the satisfaction of Historic Environment Scotland and Aberdeen City Council’s specialist consultant architect.”
