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.

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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.

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.