Confirmed: Huge ABERDEEN letters can go on display in Union Terrace Gardens and at Pittodrie

The project aims to encourage more people to explore Aberdeen and boost local business.

By Denny Andonova

July 14 2023, 3:45 pm

The giant Aberdeen letters appeared on Castlegate in the beginning of May. Image: Kami Thomson/DC Thomson

The giant Hollywood-style sign spelling out Aberdeen could soon be displayed in Union Terrace Gardens and outside Pittodrie.

Business chiefs launched the project at the Castlegate this year, turning one of the city’s most historic squares into a tourist attraction.

Aberdeen Inspired believes they will increase footfall in the city and help local businesses grow.

They have plans for the letters to be on display for five years.

Visitors clamber over the I Amsterdam letters outside the Rijksmuseum in the Dutch capital in 2014 — The Aberdeen sign was inspired by similar giant signs in other cities – such as Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Toronto. Image: Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock.

Council bosses have now granted permission to take the project to the “next level” and move the sign to other prominent locations for special occasions.

Where could the Aberdeen letters go?

For now, Aberdeen Inspired will be allowed to move the sign to only two other locations.

One is the newly revamped Union Terrace Gardens and the other would be the concourse outside the Richard Donald Stand at Pittodrie.

A van parked in the area that the Aberdeen letters would sit in UTG — The Aberdeen sign would be put roughly where the white van is in Union Terrace Gardens. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

The light-up sign is hoped to be a “creative” addition to the park, which opened to the public in December following the multi-million-pound refurbishment.

It’s also part of the city centre masterplan, which aims to improve visitors’ experience and encourage people to “linger longer” in Aberdeen.

Union Terrace Gardens and Pittodrie are only a starting point, however, and there are hopes more locations could be added to the list further down the line.

But why would Aberdeen Inspired want to move them?

The main reason is to encourage people to explore Aberdeen and attract visitors to various spots in the city.

Aberdeen Inspired’s idea is to mark special occasions and holidays – such as Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day and Pride – with a “unique” and colourful display.

Aberdeen's letters lit up for the anniversary of Gothenburg — Aberdeen’s giant letters celebrated the 40th anniversary of the club’s greatest ever triumph. Image: Wullie Marr/DC Thomson.

The giant letters showed old footage of the Dons’ European triumph to mark the 40th anniversary of Gothenburg.

When would the sign be moved, and where else do YOU want them?

Aberdeen Inspired hasn’t revealed when the first move of the giant letters might be.

But according to the planning documents, the sign can be in one location for only six months – and then it has to go to a different place.

The sign could be moved to the gardens during the Spectra festival, which attracted thousands of visitors this year. Image: Paul Glendell / DC Thomson.

Given that the light installation has been on Castlegate for nearly three months, we are likely to see them pop up somewhere else as soon as October.

Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, didn’t want to say where exactly just yet – but promised the next location for the letters will be revealed soon.

Adrian Watson hopes the letters will draw crowds to the city centre. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

He added: “The Aberdeen letters have proved to be a huge hit, and have appeared in many photos and social media posts.

“It was always intended that they would be moved around different locations.

“We would very much welcome feedback from members of the public and the business community on where you think the letters should appear over the coming months.”

The future of Aberdeen