Plans for the long-awaited return of the museum housed within the Aberdonian landmark of Marischal College are potentially in the works
By Michael Bryce
Photo courtesy of Aaedan Brennan
The University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council are negotiating the reopening of its doors to the public in some capacity.
The Museum, which was closed to the public in 2008 after the building was leased out by the University to the Council, is still home to a wide variety of historical and cultural artefacts from the university’s collections.
Councillor Marie Boulton said the following on the future of the museum at Marischal College:
“We are working really closely with Aberdeen University, I would love to see that museum take some sort of shape, the council is in discussions with them to see how we can help form something at the back of Marischal College so that whole corner can really come to life. My personal view, which I think the university shares, is some kind of natural history museum, given the collection they have.”
This is part of a wider attempt in Aberdeen to reinvigorate the city centre by investing in some of its cultural landmarks. Most recently with the £34.6 million redevelopment of Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Other developments also include the ongoing redevelopment of Provost Skene’s House, which is looking to put on a new display that explores the lives of influential Scots in the North East.
Skene’s House itself is one of the few remaining examples of early burgh architecture left in Aberdeen.
The university has also published a consultation for staff, students, and the public to give their input on what they envision for the future of the university space at Marischal College and what it could potentially be used for in the future.
It is worth mentioning that this consultation is still in its very early stages, as the consultation is not yet finished. Furthermore, funding for a possible reopening of the museum has not been set in stone by neither the council or the university itself.
