Making the Most of the Coast

We asked

Macduff Marine Aquarium sits on a stunning bit of coastline and the immediate surroundings will be improved as part of an upgrade and extension.

Currently underused, the outdoor space around the aquarium will be sympathetically landscaped to encourage people to enjoy a children’s activity area and picnics by the sea, as well as increasing the natural biodiversity. We asked for your views to help us plan the changes.

You said

We received 100 responses to the survey.

51% said they had not used the space to the rear of the aquarium, 40% said they had occasionally used it, and 9% said they had used it frequently. For those that had used it, the top three activities were:

• Walking along the coast
• Wildlife spotting
• Picnic

When asked what would improve the outside area, the top three included:

• Picnic tables and benches
• Accessible paved footpaths linking to local routes
• Viewpoint / information panels

When asked how the outside space should be landscaped the top three was:

• Wildflower / coastal planted areas that promote bio-diversity
• Soft landscaping such as shrubs, trees and mounds
• Hard landscaping such as paving and seating

The top three for the children’s activity space was:

• Natural play such as mounds, wooden features, stepping stones and water features
• Interpretation for children such as rubbing posts, activity boards, species ID panels
• Sensory play equipment

Comments received included: concerns from residents about views being compromised by the extension and works to the grounds outside the aquarium; individuals stating they didn’t know there was outside space where they could eat a packed lunch but would welcome use of such a space in future; and a request for QR code use on any external interpretation to provide additional levels of information about aquarium related topics.

We will

Designs for the exterior areas have been adapted to move any seating/play as far as possible from residential areas to minimise noise, with soft planting and dunes used in between to further buffer possible noise. These mounded areas will not extend higher than the existing wall to minimise impact on residents’ views.

Natural play has been incorporated into the plans for outside space, as well as the relocation of existing play equipment.

A viewpoint has been included on the coastal path at the front of the aquarium, and the path itself will be upgraded along the coastal side of the aquarium to provide better connectivity to existing and planned path networks.

The main entrance to the building has been relocated further away from the nearest residential properties.