The granite which gives Aberdeen its nickname will be used as part of a £550,000 roads project in the heart of the city.
Council bosses have hired Fyfe Glenrock, a division of Leiths (Scotland) Ltd, to carry out the ambitious “streetscape” work at Schoolhill as part of a revamp ahead of the art gallery’s reopening.
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The overall project will involve creating a new entrance to the Granite City’s art gallery and potentially an improved plaza to Cowdray Hall.
Much of the building material for the streetscaping will be from the north-east, as there are special conditions related to the “historic nature of the site” and the conservation listing.
It is expected that the new layout will feature Aberdeenshire Corrennie pink granite steps, Aberdeenshire Blackhills grey granite slabs and setts, Scottish winstone slabs, Kemnay grey granite masonry and Spanish Mondariz granite slabs.
There was anger previously over some council-backed projects using stone from as far afield as China, rather than sourcing it locally.
Work on the Schoolhill project is scheduled for completion early next year.
The contract note reads: “Due to the conservation status of the adjoining Aberdeen Art Gallery and the Aberdeen War Memorial, the selection of materials for the streetscape project has been progressed with regard to the historical nature of the site, the materials utilised in the original construction and the likely requirements of the planning authority.”
Local councillor Ryan Houghton welcomed the news and said: “It is fantastic to see local suppliers being prioritised to keep the iconic look of the area.”
