£5.3m drive to restore park to Victorian heyday

WORK has begun on ambitious plans to restore one of Scotland’s most popular public parks to its Victorian glory.

A wheelbarrow, last used in 1881 when work first began to create Aberdeen’s Duthie Park, was wheeled out to mark the start of the £5.3 million restoration scheme at the popular visitor attraction on the banks of the River Dee.

Duthie Park opened in 1883 after the 44 acres of parkland were bequeathed to the city of Aberdeen by Elizabeth Crombie Duthie, the daughter of a wealthy ship owner and merchant. Despite its fading grandeur, the park still attracts more than 500,000 visitors every year.

The restoration scheme is being funded by Aberdeen City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Part of the scheme involves the reinstatement of a “lost” Victorian promenade. The proposals also include plans to restore the imposing fountain in the middle of the park, and three linked ponds to create a boating lake. The main pavilion is also to be refurbished and the disused tennis courts converted to community gardens.

Lord Provost Peter Stephen, who carried out the turf-cutting ceremony to mark the start of the revamp, said: “This project will see Duthie Park come full circle and restored to its original, intended design with so many original features returned to their former glory.”

The restoration is due to be completed by December.