A near-200-year-old Aberdeen monument will be returned to its former glory as part of a £500,000 heritage scheme.
The Hamilton Monument in St Nicholas Kirkyard will be repointed and repaired later this month.
The granite and marble installation was built in 1833 in recognition of the humanitarian work of Marischal College lecturer Robert Hamilton.
During his career he helped improve Aberdeen’s water supply and campaigned for the abolition of slavery.
The monument’s restoration, which will cost £15,000, is part of a much wider catalogue of projects which has been arranged by the Aberdeen City Heritage Trust.
Other work has included reinstating a shopfront at 148 Union Street, roofing maintenance at 23 Union Street and window repairs along Dee Street.
Lord Provost Barney Crockett, who is vice-chairman of the trust, said: “Though Aberdeen as a city has changed enormously in recent decades, Union Street has continued to be its beating heart.
“That’s why it was given centre stage in the City Centre Masterplan.
“The restoration of the Hamilton Memorial will showcase not just Aberdeen’s architecture wealth but its rich social and scientific history.”
The Trust, which is supported by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Aberdeen City Council, has pledged £200,000 to the scheme, while business owners have contributed a further £300,000.
In total, the organisation is taking forward a dozen projects across the city. The majority of these involve roofing works to avoid the “significant deterioration” of properties.
Improvements to the city’s historic buildings will be completed through the Union Street Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) which was launched in November and runs until 2022.
The city council and HES have both contributed £1.7million to the scheme, while Aberdeen Inspired has offered an additional £50,000.
The work completed under Union Street CARS will help to progress the City Centre Masterplan, which has a long-term goal of pedestrianising the thoroughfare.
Councillor Crockett added: “By working in partnership with organisations like the Aberdeen City Heritage Trust and Historic Environment Scotland, as well as property owners and occupiers, the council is helping to conserve our heritage for generations to come.”
