Work starts on restoration of historic city park

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

The first phase of the transformation of Aberdeen’s Duthie Park involves the replacement of two 90-year-old greenhouses at the park’s popular David Welch Winter Gardens.

Aberdeen City Council is planning to invest a total of £5.38 million to revitalise the historic park. Part of the scheme involves the reinstatement of a “lost” Victorian promenade and the proposals also include plans to create a boating lake.

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.

The first phase of the scheme is being funded through a bequest from Lorna Russell, who died in 2009, who left £834,000 for the sole purpose of “extending, improving or otherwise refurbishing the Winter Gardens or providing other facilities at the park”.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has already awarded £2.56m for the scheme, matched with £2.67m from Aberdeen City Council.