Natural stone specialist Fyfe Glenrock, based in Oldmeldrum just outside Aberdeen, has paved the way for the re-opening of Aberdeen Art Gallery by laying Scottish granite paving.

Fyfe Glenrock supplied the granites that it shaped at its workshops. Many of the kerbs, paving and setts have been made from Blackhills Granite from Leiths quarry at Cove, Aberdeen.

The stepped area in front of the gallery features pink Corrennie granite from nearby Tillyfourie. Scottish Whinstone has been used for corduroy paving, to help visually-impaired pedestrians be aware of potential hazards. And there is Kemnay grey granite paving around the Cowdray Hall and War Memorial, although it has been recycled from Aberdeen City Council’s demolition site stock.

Aberdeen Art Gallery closed in 2015 and its long awaited re-opening has been hailed as delivering a world-class visitor attraction to the city. Its renovation has dramatically increased the display space for the gallery’s collection.

The choice of materials for the streetscape aspect of the redevelopment was in keeping with special conditions relating to the historic nature of the area and its conservation status and continues Fyfe’s long association with the venue, which was constructed of Kemnay and Corrennie granites when John Fyfe, who started the 170-year history of the company that is now Fyfe Glenrock, owned them.

Richard Collinson, Commercial Manager at Fyfe Glenrock, says: “The quality of the granite hewn from Scottish quarries is second to none.

“Aberdeen has a unique cityscape based on granite for building, sculpture and monuments. In recent times there has been a growing appreciation of the benefits of using this indigenous stone to preserve Aberdeen’s distinct identity."

It is recognised as one of the toughest and most resilient building materials available and has helped define Aberdeen.

“Therefore," says Richard, "it is fitting that it has been the stone of choice for the external area around Aberdeen Art Gallery, reinforcing the city’s granite heritage. Every year these pavements will be walked on by many thousands of people – both local people and visitors from all over the world – who come to visit the gallery.”

Fyfe Glenrock has a 170-year history in granite quarrying and craftsmanship. It has provided indigenous Scottish granite to high profile projects across the UK, including The Scottish Parliament (Kemnay Grey granite), Cairngorm National Park signage (Aberdeenshire granite), the Millicent Fawcett Suffragist Memorial in Parliament Square, London (Peterhead Pink granite) and the Stephen Hawking Memorial in Westminster Abbey (Caithness stone).

Based in Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, it has a modern stone processing and production unit where recent investment includes a new diamond wire block saw and a five-axes CNC saw.