An iconic mound in Aberdeen City’s Duthie Park has been restored to the splendour of its original Victorian design.

The mound, one of Aberdeen's most popular green spaces, had work carried out to restore the spiral walkway and flag pole set on a granite plinth to reflect the 19th Century design.

It will be open to the public from Monday 03 December and offers panoramic views of the south of the city.

Aberdeen City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) joint-funded the project, which the Council hopes will revitalise the 44-acre park, encourage more visitors and make it an attractive setting for activities and events.

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Councillor Neil Cooney, Convener of Housing and Environment, explained: "The mound has always been an impressive landmark in Duthie Park but in recent years lost its iconic image. This is the first of many milestones in the restoration project and I am sure the whole city will watch with interest as we continue to return Duthie Park to its former glory."

Despite the modifications over the years, Duthie Park is a fine example of a late Victorian park, perhaps one of the best and most complete of its type in Scotland.

It is included in Historic Scotland's Inventory of Designed Landscapes and Gardens.

The restoration and reconstruction of its lost features is being inspired by old written and photographic sources.

The restoration was conceived in 2001 and secured a £2.56m grant from the HLF and an injection of £2.67m from Aberdeen City Council.

Most of the park and the David Welch Winter Gardens will remain open during the restoration work in other areas, but some sections will be out of bounds in the interest of health of safety.

Worked is being carried out on the linked lakes, Duthie fountain, the terrace, the boating lake and car park and the pavilion, as well as to fencing and boundary walls.

(IT)