£20m for Peterhead Cultural Quarter
The “Cultural Tides: North Sea Connections in Aberdeenshire” successful bid saw the award of £20m for Peterhead Cultural Quarter
In Aberdeenshire, £20 million will transform Peterhead’s disused Arbuthnot House into a new museum.
The lower part of Broad Street in Peterhead will be redeveloped as a destination for culture. The focal point will be the derelict B-listed Arbuthnot House, which will be restored and developed into a modern museum, library and culture hub. The building’s former walled garden will be transformed into a new public green space.
Funding will support the following works:
- renovation of the mansion house, restoring its original features and character
- a new extension offering panoramic views over the harbour
- new community facilities
The former Arbuthnot Museum and Library will be renamed to reflect the close connections with Scottish-American steel entrepreneur, Andrew Carnegie, who helped fund construction of the original building.
Aberdeenshire Council Leader Cllr Gillian Owen said:
The creation of a cultural quarter will ignite new energy and opportunities and will instil a deeper perception of culture, heritage and sense of place within the town and the wider region.
The restoration and transformation of Arbuthnot House and the Arbuthnot Museum and Library is part of the wider strategic programme for Broad Street.
