A north-east industrialist is being celebrated with a memorial garden in his home town more than a century after his death.
Plans for a garden in honour of Thomas Blake Glover have been given the go-ahead on the site of his old birthplace in Fraserburgh’s Commerce Street.
Aberdeenshire Council is leading the project to mark the legacy of the businessman, known as the Scottish Samurai, at the spot which will be known as Glover Birthplace.
Glover was born in the town and went on to become key figure in the industrialisation of Japan, helping found the ship-building firm that became Mitsubishi.
His home no longer exists and the space at 15 – 17 Commerce Street has lain vacant since the 1940s.
Soon, though, it will be transformed into a dedicated Japanese-themed courtyard telling the story of Glover’s life.
A report by Aberdeenshire Council officials reveals the hope the garden will serve as a tourist attractions and bring an “unsightly” area back into use.
It reads: “The proposal seeks to create a memorial garden for public use on a vacant site in Fraserburgh’s town centre.
“In doing so, the proposal would improve the overall appearance of the area, and as such, the proposal is looked upon favourably as it would bring an unsightly area back into use.
“The proposed use of the site would encourage public visitors and the active use of the site, and therefore would not have a detrimental impact on the character of the town centre.
“In principle, it is considered to enhance and support the vitality and viability of the town centre, and would not adversely impact the surrounding land uses and amenity.”
Glover passed away in December 1911, aged 73, at his home in Tokyo and was buried at the Sakamoto International Cemetery in Nagasaki.
