A free talk which will give an insight into the role of granite merchants, manufactures and craftsmen in the early history of Aberdeen Art Gallery will take place at 12.30pm on Wednesday, 12 August at the gallery in Schoolhill.

"Granite and the Gallery" by Aberdeen City Council's arts keeper Jenny Brown will feature the history of the granite industry from the 1880s to the 1930s, from Alexander MacDonald, who bequeathed the gallery a fine art collection in 1884, and whose father "rediscovered" the art of polishing granite, to how the stone for the building was quarried and the story of the famous granite pillars and War Memorial.

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You can see photographs from the gallery's collection which reveal fascinating stages of the building of Aberdeen Art Gallery and are testament to Aberdeen's famous trade.

A free leaflet titled Aberdeen's Granite Trail produced by Aberdeen City Council will be available at the talk.

Jenny Brown said: "Aberdeen Art Gallery is one of city's finest granite buildings and a testament to the skills and hard work of hundreds of craftsmen. This talk provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about the gallery's granite heritage."

The talk will last approximately 30 minutes. Booking is not required.

(GK/BMcC)