Appointed contractor Ogilvie Construction has already begun pre-construction activities on-site alongside the external landscaping works it started earlier this year.

The project is being developed with the support of UK Government funding together with other external funding streams and financial support from Aberdeenshire Council.

Once completed early next year, the aquarium will benefit from a significant modernisation which will include expanded facilities and enhanced exhibits and will help fully realise the aquarium’s potential and significantly enhance the visitor experience.

The two-storey extension will aim to take advantage of coastal views with the distinctive round aquarium building being expanded to accommodate increased activity space and will feature a café-restaurant on the second floor boasting magnificent views over the Moray Firth and inside to the central kelp tank.

Internally the central tank, general layout and displays will remain, however, exhibits will be upgraded with improved features and interpretation to enhance the visitor experience.

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 to allow hands on activities and events for learners of all ages. The lobster hatchery will see lobster larvae being grown for release into the wild to boost wild populations, be a focus of interest and support the lobster fishery in years to come.

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. There will also be improved biodiversity planting and wider public realm enhancement works including new paving and surfacing within the car park and external areas.

Depute leader and chair of the council’s Communities Committee, Cllr Anne Stirling, said: “It’s a really exciting time for everyone associated with Macduff Marine Aquarium as we see the construction getting underway on site. It will, of course, take time to complete and I would again ask that visitors and supporters of the aquarium bear with us as this major redevelopment takes place. I am delighted that our aquarium team will be continuing with its tremendous community learning programme, so please watch out for the various outreach activities being held throughout the year.”

David Mason, Ogilvie Construction’s operations director for Tayside and North Scotland, added: “We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver Aberdeenshire Council’s future vision for the Macduff Marine Aquarium. We will continue to work with their team throughout the delivery of the project and look forward to handing over a modern high-quality facility that will be a major attraction in the community.”

Aquarium manager Claire Matthews said: “Throughout the refurbishment activity our team will be working hard to ensure the fish are kept safe and well as the work goes on around them. There will be temporary tanks set up away from the main areas of work and to hold those animals whose tanks will be upgraded, but the cold-water life support systems will be kept running throughout the project to keep the animals happy in their homes.”