The scaffolding is down and the beautifully refurbished exterior of the former Clydesdale Bank in Fraserburgh is revealed.

Extensive repairs have been carried out to the category B listed building including a new roof, new double-glazed windows and repointed stonework. The work has been carried out by the buildings owner, the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT).

The Trust has just finished converting the adjacent former John Trail Bookshop into an 11-bedroom boutique hotel. The former bank will become phase 2 of this hotel project and will provide a new 42 cover restaurant, a large bar/bistro in the former banking hall and five additional bedrooms with lift access.

Funding for the project has been provided by the Scottish Government Town Centre Fund and the Aberdeenshire Place Based Investment Programme. The main contractor is local company V G Willox.

NESPT Chairman, Marcus Humphrey said “The removal of the scaffolding marks an important milestone in our project to convert the former bank into a hotel. We are grateful to Aberdeenshire Council for their support and to Vince Willox and his team for their excellent work.”