Aberdeen's 'Granite City' quarry goes on sale
22nd January 2010
A famous quarry credited with giving Aberdeen its name of the Granite City is being sold on the open market for the first time in 150 years. Rubislaw Quarry, believed to be the biggest man-made hole in Europe, closed in 1971.
The five-acre quarry is 466ft deep and 394ft wide and now full of water. Offers over £30,000 are being sought.
Possible uses suggested include using it for water sports, or draining it and using the quarry for climbing.
Rubislaw Quarry is in the heart of Aberdeen's west end.
It was opened in 1740 at the Hill of Rubislaw and sold by the Aberdeen Council to a businessman in 1778, as it was not believed to be a source of good building material.
However, over the next two centuries, it is estimated millions of tonnes of granite were excavated from the quarry which was acclaimed for its quality.
Its legacy lives on in the granite famously used in many of Aberdeen's buildings as well as in landmarks around the world.
City chartered surveyors AB Robb are marketing the sale on behalf of owner Bixen Ltd.
AB Robb managing director Alex Robb said: "This is definitely one of the most unusual sites we have been instructed to sell. It is well known throughout the city but very few people by comparison will have seen it.
"It offers up intriguing possibilities for any buyer whether in the leisure, tourism or residential business areas.
"Ideas mentioned so far have included draining it to create some kind of leisure destination in the quarry area, possibly a climbing facility, or even keeping it filled with water and using it for water sports such as recreational diving. ''
Source: BBC News
