Work on the multi-million-pound redevelopment and extension of Macduff Marine Aquarium is advancing well, with the site now wind and watertight despite weeks of severe winter weather. Main contractor Ogilvie Construction confirmed the milestone as Newburgh-based KR Group presses ahead with the striking new cladding following completion of the steel frame.

More than 50 tradespeople are currently on site, including seven apprentices and a locally employed labourer working directly for Ogilvie Construction. Supporting apprenticeships is central to Ogilvie's community benefit approach, creating meaningful local employment and training opportunities throughout the project.

The apprentices are building hands-on experience across disciplines including mechanical and engineering, joinery and cladding. Backed by qualified trades and site management, they are developing the skills and behaviours needed to progress in construction beyond the life of this scheme. Banff Academy pupils have also been welcomed on site visits to explore the sector's career paths, with further visits planned in the coming months.

A new two-storey front extension will introduce a main entrance, retail area, a new learning room and an upstairs café/restaurant, alongside a much-needed Changing Places toilet. The project is supported by UK Government funding, additional external funding streams and financial backing from Aberdeenshire Council.

On completion this summer, the aquarium, operated by Live Life Aberdeenshire, will undergo significant modernisation with expanded facilities and enhanced exhibits to unlock its full potential and improve the visitor experience. Landscaping works are also transforming the site: gravel beds in the car park have been replaced with a coastal meadow mix, clusters of pine trees have been planted, and a new accessible surfaced promenade now features pre-cast concrete seating and marram grasses.

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The path around the existing seawall has been resurfaced and leads to the children's play area, which has dune landscape planting beds. Existing play equipment and picnic tables have been retained and reused. Community involvement has been strong too, with Macduff Shipyards fabricating feature benches from larch used in their own work.

Ogilvie has donated surplus pre-cast concrete benches to the harbour and provided wooden pallets to the Banff and Macduff Men's Shed to support their projects. With construction progressing well, a priority now is appointing an external catering operator for the new café/restaurant during opening hours, with scope for additional out-of-hours service.

The first-floor café/restaurant will offer sea views and sightlines into the main aquarium tank, with 65 covers across tables and chairs, soft seating and a coffee bar, plus a fitted servery and fully equipped commercial kitchen. Live Life Aberdeenshire is seeking an enterprising hospitality partner via the Public Contract Scotland portal, with expressions of interest invited by February 13.

Welcoming the significant progress at the aquarium, Aberdeenshire Council co-leader and chair of the council's Communities Committee, Cllr Anne Stirling, said: "Given the horrendous weather conditions, heavy snow and strong coastal gales we experienced since the start of the year, I congratulate everyone working on site for making such tremendous progress. At each step of the construction process including the recent works on the cladding and the wider landscaping there is a growing anticipation for the aquarium's reopening. I also want to extend my personal thanks to all our dedicated aquarium staff for their continuing care of our sealife 'residents' and for their continued engagement with the public by way of fascinating pop-up events which is maintaining access to the exhibits."

Mark Anderson, projects director, Ogilvie Construction, North said: "The team has worked hard, often in some challenging weather conditions, to reach this significant milestone. It's a credit to everyone involved in the project that progress has remained so strong. With the cladding and landscape now taking shape, the scale of the project is becoming increasingly visible and we look forward to handing over a magnificent new community attraction this summer."