Hazlehead Park’s Memorial Rose Garden and Piper Alpha Sculpture Gain Designation as Historic Sites
EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2023-Oct-10 — /Travel PR News/ — The Memorial and Memorial Garden commemorating those who lost their lives in the Piper Alpha disaster have been recognised with designated status by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
Following a public consultation, the Memorial Rose Garden in Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen has been added to the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. The bronze memorial sculpture of three figures representing the platform’s workers, designed and created by Artist Sue Jane Taylor, has been listed at Category B.
The Piper Alpha oil platform, located in the North Sea 110 miles northeast of Aberdeen, was the site of the world’s worst offshore disaster on 6 July 1988. 165 men who worked on the rig were killed when the Piper Alpha was destroyed by a series of explosions that caused major fires and the substantial collapse of the platform. Two crewmen from the MV Sandhaven were also killed during the rescue attempt.
Following discussions in 1988-89 about a suitable permanent physical memorial, the rose garden in Hazlehead Park was selected and the bronze memorial sculpture was unveiled on the third anniversary of the disaster in 1991.
Dara Parsons, Head of Designations at HES, said: “The Garden and Memorial are important sites of public commemoration and memory that connect people and communities to the enduring legacies of the Piper Alpha disaster”.
“Designated status for these sites means that their cultural significance will be taken into account in future decisions about their management.”
More information on the Piper Alpha Memorial and Memorial Garden can be found on the HES Portal.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland’s strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.
Follow HES
Twitter: @HistEnvScot | @welovehistory
Facebook: @HistoricEnvScotland | @VisitHistoricScotland
Instagram: @HistEnvScot | @historicscotland
Media Contact:
Claire Mullaney
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
###