New coat of paint complements timber building’s B-listed status
By Gillian Bell Press and Journal, Published: 27/05/2010
AN ABERDEENSHIRE concert hall has had a lick of paint after being granted B-listed status. The late 19th-century hall, which is next to Haddo House, was listed by Historic Scotland earlier this year in recognition of its significance as a “rare interpretation” of a Canadian-style timber construction. Its design was inspired by buildings which caught the eye of the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen, John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, and his wife, Ishbel Maria Hamilton-Gordon, during their time in Canada.
Senior assistant Christina Wright said: “The concert hall is already looking better as it begins to emerge from its scaffolding, ready to welcome performers and audiences once more. I’m sure the people who use the hall will get a lot out of its repainting, which restores it to the status a listed building deserves.” The hall has become a world-renowned opera venue in recent years, and has attracted a number of high-profile stars such as Lesley Garrett and the late Sir Benjamin Britten.
It will host a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on June 12.
Visit the website at www.nts.org.uk/events for tickets and more information.