The recent introduction of new pound coins has landed council taxpayers with a bill of over £150,000.
Cash-strapped local authorities in the north and north-east forked out the huge sum on updating equipment.
Pay-and-display parking meters, vending machines, tumble dryers and school meals systems were among technology under threat of failing after the switch.
The new 12-sided £1 coin entered circulation in March and will gradually edge out the old “round pound” after more than 30 years.
It is claimed to be the most secure coin in the world and is based on the design of the old threepenny bit, which went out of circulation in 1971.
The old and the new coins will co-exist for around six months, until the original version ceases to be legal tender on October 15.
But the change has already caused public frustration, because consumers have discovered many machines reject their existing coins.
Now the Press and Journal has established the full extent of the cost so far to local councils of making the necessary adaptations.
Aberdeen is spending the most by some distance, carrying out a £70,000 programme to “upgrade, reprogramme or replace” pay-and-display parking meters.
“This work has ensured that all machines remaining in service are able to take the new £1 coin,” it said in response to a freedom of information request.
“This work was undertaken in line with routine maintenance by existing maintenance staff.”
The authority spent another £300 on updating hot drink machines and £425 on self-service payment kiosks used for a variety of council services at four locations.
In Moray, the £10,000-plus bill included £5,619 on cashless catering systems, £4,400 for parking meters and £310 on vending machines at the council HQ.
Aberdeenshire forked out £3,400 to bring school catering into line, £1,695 on new coin counters, £660 on vending machines and £3,895 on parking meters.
It is still examining whether work at sports centres will add further to the £9,650 cost so far.
Highland revealed it is paying £60,000 for new parking meters and £3,500 on validators for existing machines.
Orkney’s pay-and-display systems cost £960 to update and in Shetland – where there are no parking meters – £374 was spent on a coin weighing machine.
