CHAP Group has been announced as the principal contractor for the multi-million-pound project to build the landmark Museum of Aberdeenshire and new Peterhead Library.
Hub North Scotland will deliver the development on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council, with it marking a major milestone in the transformation of Peterhead town centre.
Over the next two years, Arbuthnot House will be sensitively restored and extended to create a vibrant cultural destination housing both the town’s library and the region’s first-ever shire-wide museum.
The museum will showcase heritage collections and artwork, offering visitors an opportunity to explore Aberdeenshire’s rich and diverse stories. Permanent galleries will expand the number of objects on public display, bringing many treasures out of storage for the first time. From natural history and archaeology to social history and art, the museum will offer space to tell both old and new stories and better reflect the ever-changing people and places that have shaped Aberdeenshire.
The new attraction, expected to open in late 2028, will feature purpose-built galleries, a dedicated temporary exhibitions space capable of hosting touring national shows, and flexible workshop and learning areas. A restaurant with an outdoor terrace and a small retail area will further enhance the visitor experience.
Creative interpretation will play a central role, with music, interactives, film, and Doric language woven throughout the displays. A community gallery will enable regular changes to exhibitions and provide opportunities for local groups to co-curate displays, while a dedicated gallery will celebrate the heritage of Peterhead itself alongside stories from across the wider shire.
On behalf of Live Life Aberdeenshire, which will run the two news facilities, Laurence Findlay, director of education and children’s services, said, “The appointment of CHAP paves the way for construction to begin on the new museum of Aberdeenshire and Peterhead Library, which will be a vibrant new space celebrating the people, stories and treasures which make our region truly one of a kind. This museum is for everyone across the Shire and, thanks to our own significant investment and the generous external funding, we’re not just building a museum – we’re investing in the future of tourism, culture and the local economy in the north of Aberdeenshire.”
Andy McNair, pre-construction director at CHAP Group Ltd, added, “We are proud to be appointed by Aberdeenshire Council to deliver this landmark cultural project for Peterhead. Working in partnership with hub North Scotland and the wider team, we look forward to creating a destination that will serve the community, celebrate local history, and support the long-term regeneration of the town centre. Our team is committed to delivering the project safely, sustainably, and to the highest standards, ensuring a meaningful legacy for the region. This year marks a major milestone for CHAP as we celebrate 50 years in business. As a local company this project reflects how far we have grown and will showcase our collaborative approach. We look forward to getting on site.”
Ewen Fowlie, operations director for Hub North Scotland, commented, “We are delighted to be working with Aberdeenshire Council once again on a project which will transform and revitalise such a key landmark in Peterhead.”
