Designating Arbuthnot Museum and Library, Peterhead

Closed 31 May 2022

Opened 10 May 2022

Contact

Designations Support

0131 668 8914

designations@hes.scot

Feedback updated 22 Jun 2022

We asked

From 10 May to 31 May 2022, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) sought views on our proposal to designate the Library and Arbuthnot Museum in Peterhead as a category C listed building.

The library and museum building is constructed in pink Peterhead granite and is architecturally well-detailed. Built between 1891 and 1893 and designed in the ‘Free Renaissance’ style, it includes oriel windows, curvilinear gables and a prominent corner tower with a domed and finialled roof. It is one of the earliest Carnegie public libraries in Scotland (and the world) and its plan form is indicative of early public library design. Further details can be accessed on our Heritage Portal.

You said

We received one response to consultation which confirmed the building is not subject to any active planning applications. No objections were raised to the proposed listing of the building.

We did

After considering the comments received during the consultation, we have now listed the Library and Arbuthnot Museum as a category C listed building. The listed building record is available on our Heritage Portal, where the final Report of Handling is also available.

Our historic environment is always changing. Listing does not prevent change, but it does allow for a structure’s special character to be taken into account when changes are proposed.

Overview

We are proposing to list the Library and Arbuthnot Museum at the corner of St Peter Street and Queen Street in Peterhead. The library was built between 1891 and 1893 and is one of the earliest Carnegie public libraries built in Scotland. It was designed with a library on the ground floor and a purpose-built exhibition and art gallery space above to permanently house the museum collection of local merchant, Adam Arbuthnot.

The building is constructed in pink Peterhead granite and is architecturally well-detailed. Designed in the ‘Free Renaissance’ style, it includes oriel windows, curvilinear gables and a prominent corner tower with a domed and finialled roof.

We have launched this public consultation to gather views on listing this historic building in recognition of its special architectural and historic interest. Find out more about listed buildings.

Find out more about why we think Peterhead Library and Arbuthnot Museum meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report of Handling.

You can Email your comments about this case or contact us through the Heritage Portal.

Find out what comments we consider and what happens next in our guide and the video below.

For a version of this video in British Sign Language, please visit our Youtube channel.