Up to £500,000 is being invested to restore a city centre monument and buildings on Union Street in Aberdeen.

The conservation work is being supported by the Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, along with Historic Environment Scotland and the city council, with Trust grants amounting to £200,000 and the remaining finance being provided by building owners.

So far, a traditional shopfront has been reinstated at 148 Union Street while roofing repairs have started at 23-25 Union Street. Window repairs are also underway at Dee Street, with a further Union Street repair scheme currently being finalised.

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The Hamilton Monument in St Nicholas Kirkyard on Union Street will also benefit from £15,000 of repair work. A specialist team of conservation architects and contractors have been appointed to repaint and repair the memorial, and to reinstate the urn atop the plinth along with the perimeter iron bars. Work is scheduled to start at the end of April.

Lord Provost Barney Crockett, who is Trust Vice-Chair, 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.

"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.

"The restoration of the Hamilton Memorial will showcase not just Aberdeen's architecture wealth but its rich social and scientific history."

Image: The Hamilton Monument photographed in 2006.

(LM/MH)