09/08/13

Graffiti which was scrawled across the front of the world-famous Marischal College building was successfully removed today [Friday 08 August].

Aberdeen City Council enlisted the services of local company Aqua Power Services Ltd, which has a track record of successful graffiti removal from public buildings and statues in Aberdeen, to carry out the work.

The graffiti was daubed across the Grade A-listed building overnight on 27 June. Since then, Aberdeen City Council has been in talks with Historic Scotland and masonry conservation experts at the Robert Gordon University about how it could be removed without causing permanent damage being caused to the granite.

A trial removal was carried out early this morning on the graffiti closest to the main Marischal College entrance, using water and kiln-dried sand and employing no chemicals. Results were extremely positive and a decision was then taken to proceed to remove the rest of the lettering along the frontage.

The building, which has suffered no damage to either the granite or the mortar, will be re-inspected by Aberdeen City Council staff and the contractor over the coming days to ensure no further work is required.

Deputy Council leader Councillor Marie Boulton said: “I am really pleased that we have finally removed this unsightly scrawl, which was a shameful act of vandalism and an insult to the people of Aberdeen. Marischal College is a beautiful building of which everyone in this city is extremely proud and I hope the culprit is suitably punished.”

Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure director Gordon McIntosh said: “A great many people have expressed anger and disappointment at Marischal College being defaced in this way. It was unfortunate that the childish act of scrawling on a beautiful building led to the graffiti remaining for so long – but we had to ensure we found the safest possible method of removal to ensure there was no lasting damage.”