Macduff Marine Aquarium's multi-million transformation given go-ahead by council

Plans for a multi-million pound extension and upgrade to an aquarium have been approved by Aberdeenshire Council.

The “exciting” plans for the Macduff Marine Aquarium were unanimously approved by local councillors on Tuesday.

The project has financial support from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, which allocated £177m to ten projects in Scotland, and works are expected to start on-site in the autumn.

Members of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee heard that the improvements would help fully realise the aquarium’s potential and “significantly enhance” customer’s experience.

The aquarium has been operated by Aberdeenshire Council for more than 25 years, welcoming around 50,000 visitors per year, contributing significantly to the local area’s economy.

Plans for the upgrade on the main entrance at Macduff Marine Aquarium. Supplied

According to the plans, the distinctive round aquarium building will be expanded to accommodate more display and activity space.

The new aquarium will feature a cafe-restaurant on the second floor with views over the Moray Firth and inside to the central kelp tank.

The central tank, general layout and displays will remain the same, however exhibits will be upgraded.

Plans for the upgrade said that “education and conservation” are at the heart of the aquarium’s operations and the expansion will provide space for a lobster hatchery and a dedicated learning room.

The works are expected to start on-site in the autumn. Supplied

The lobster hatchery will see lobster larvae being grown for release into the wild to boost populations.

A new external landscaped activity area to the east side of the building will also feature areas for children’s play and picnic benches, while pathways will be created to connect into the existing coastal path networks and to the wider area.

As the plans were awaiting approval, councillors said they “carefully” considers the four concerns raised by objectors around the design of the development, conflict with existing residents’ parking and the potential competition with local eateries through the introduction of a café.

The council ultimately determined that the volume of additional year-round visitors to the aquarium will result in “far greater opportunities” for other businesses to benefit in Macduff, Banff and the wider area.

The central tank, general layout and displays will remain the same, however exhibits will be upgraded. Supplied

The committee also heard that the Friends of Macduff Aquarium was in support of the development, saying it would lead to a “significant uplift” in the overall offer provided and that improved education facilities would allow for more extensive learning programmes and enhanced display, retailing and visitor services to ensure a more sustainable future for the aquarium.

Both VisitAberdeenshire and VisitScotland had indicated their support for the development of the aquarium, saying it would be a “significant new contribution to the North East tourism offer”.

Banff and Buchan Area Committee chair councillor Doreen Mair said: “I am delighted to see the development of the Macduff Marine Aquarium progressing.

“This project blends a striking design influenced by the aquarium’s coastal setting with improved facilities and amenities for visitors. I particularly welcome the additional space for education which will add greatly to the experience and will help educate people about the seas around us.

“This will be a tremendous asset for Macduff and the wider area and I very much look forward to seeing works commencing later this year.”

Vice-chair councillor Richard Menard added: “This is a hugely exciting time both for the aquarium and Macduff itself and this development with its raft of enhancements will ensure this much-loved visitor attraction will realise its full potential all year-round.

“Tourism – be it from a local, regional or international level – is vitally important for the north coast and Aberdeenshire as a while and this project will safeguard the aquarium’s important role in the future.”

The “Cultural Tides: North Sea Connections in Aberdeenshire” project will focus on the renovation and extension of Macduff Marine Aquarium and the creation of a Museum of Aberdeenshire and new Peterhead Library centred around the vacant Arbuthnot House property.