The repair and conservation work to the Tolbooth, which is an historically important asset for the city and one of the city’s oldest buildings, will protect the Grade A-listed structure and allow the museum to reopen.

The building – properly called the Wardhouse Tower of the Tolbooth – was built between 1616 and 1629. It has been closed since the start of the pandemic.

Unlike other cultural venues, it did not reopen after the pandemic as a large crack to an internal archway on the ground floor was found which was considered a potential risk to health and safety. In addition, there were also extensive repairs required to other external parts of the building including the roofs, stonework, parapets, and pointing.

The work, which includes replacing the leadwork to match the existing leadwork, stone stabilisation, structural repairs to archway, removal of previous mortar repairs and replace with lime based mix, renewal of timber louvre infills, refurbishment of clockfaces, service ducting to improve connectivity of welcoming desk, and repairs to stonework, all using traditional materials and techniques, is being carried out by Aberdeen City Council building services.

Aberdeen City Council finance and resources convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The work on the Tolbooth Museum, one of the oldest buildings in the city, will begin soon to restore and protect the Grade A-listed structure and allow the museum to reopen in due course.”

There will be a significant amount of scaffolding around the building while the repair works are underway. There are space and access limitations on this confined site and the scaffolding will occupy some of the width of Lodge Walk. There will also be noise control to avoid disturbance of proceedings in the adjacent Sheriff Court building.

A statement of special interest for Historic Environment Scotland about the Tolbooth reads: “Aberdeen Town House, including municipal offices, court house, Tolbooth and city chambers, is a significant example of civic architecture and is of outstanding importance because of its fine and influential Scots baronial design with exceptional interior scheme, conceived by the highly respected architects Peddie and Kinnear.

“The imposing scale of the building with its landmark tower and its striking grey and white 1975 extension, dominates the east end of Union Street in Aberdeen city centre.

“It incorporates an early 17th century Tolbooth, one of the oldest buildings in Aberdeen and its integration with the newer Municipal buildings provides a connection between the old burgh of Aberdeen and the new-found confidence and wealth of the 19th and 20th centuries. It is the embodiment of civic affairs in Aberdeen.”