Aberdeenshire Council

Councillors have warmly welcomed significant recent investment in schools across Peterhead, alongside further improvements planned for the current financial year.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee today (Tues) noted a range of upgrades already completed at Peterhead Academy, Dales Park School, Meethill School and Anna Ritchie School, all aimed at enhancing learning environments and ensuring facilities remain safe, modern and fit-for-purpose.

The investment of around £1.6 million follows the council’s decision in February last year to refocus the £110 million Peterhead Community Campus project on an academy-only site.

As a result, Dales Park School, Meethill School and Anna Ritchie School will continue to operate within their existing buildings, supported by targeted capital investment informed by updated condition surveys.

Full details at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/news/2026/jun/investment-boost-for-peterhead-schools-welcomed-by-buchan-area-committee

Notice of Proposal – Closure of Slains School

Education and Children’s Services Committee in March approved the launch of a statutory consultation regarding the permanent closure of Slains School.

The consultation will run until July 3, and any written comments on the proposal must be received by Aberdeenshire Council within this period for them to be taken into account.

A public meeting to discuss the proposal will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 6pm at Collieston Community Centre, Hightown, AB41 8RS. All are welcome to attend.

Comments can be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Aberdeenshire Council, Learning Estates Team, Unit 15, Harlaw Way, Inverurie, AB51 4SG.

Comments should be received no later than 4pm on July 3.

An online survey will be available as part of the consultation. This can be completed at: https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/slains-school/surveys/slains-school-statutory-consultation

Arnage school in Auchnagatt near Ellon has unveiled a new school mural created by an internationally renowned artist. Molly Hankinson worked with the children to create the mural for the school.

Headteacher Mike Craig said: “At the start of term, Molly worked with the children across the school for a whole day, teaching them about street art and how it is created.

“She spent the afternoon painting and drawing with the children to get their ideas about what the school means to them, and what’s important to them. She took their ideas and images and has incorporated them into her design for the mural.

“The main message that came through reflected one of our school values; Be Kind. It can mean so many things; be kind to each other, be kind to the environment, be kind to yourself. All these things were important to the children, and this was the message they wanted to give adults.”

Molly, originally from London but now living in Glasgow, was also one of the artists at the Nuart Festival in Aberdeen back in April.

Pupils saw her at work, creating a huge mural in Aberdeen city centre, and were then given a guided tour of other street art works in the city. It was led by Aberdeen Inspired project manager Ross Grant who has been involved with Nuart Aberdeen since it began in 2017.

Following the tour, Ross said, “Arnage Primary School brought the sunshine for the tour, and they were absolutely engaged, asking loads of questions and coming up with their own interpretations and opinions of the work.

“We love it when we can facilitate the chance for local young people from the City and Shire, to explore the incredible street art that is in their city centre.”

The mural was secured through engagement with ArtUK and their ‘Superpower of Looking’ online teaching resource.

There is a Met Office yellow weather warning for thunderstorms from 3pm to 10pm today covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and a SEPA flood alert until further notice.

Slow moving showers are expected across the region which may cause some localised disruption including the potential for some flooding impacts as the showers move north east towards the coast.

⚠️️Probably some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes
⚠️️There is a good chance driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus
⚠️️Delays to train services are possible
⚠️️Some short term loss of power and other services is likely
⚠️️Some flooding of a few homes and businesses likely, leading to some damage to buildings or structures

You can view the latest weather warnings and flood alerts at
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings
http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates/

Marr Area Committee budget grants now open!

Grants of up to £1,000 are now available to constituted community groups for projects which enhance local communities in the Marr area and contribute to place-making, where there is an evidence-based need.

Match funding of at least 50% is required and projects should support the Marr Community Plan priorities:

✅Empowered and confident communities
✅Economically vibrant communities
✅Healthy, safe and thriving communities
✅Connected communities
✅Natural heritage and environment

For further information and to apply visit www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/funding/marr/

📣Calling all businesses!

Aberdeenshire’s town centres are set to take centre stage with the launch of an exciting new initiative celebrating outstanding customer service, with local businesses being invited to play a leading role by sponsoring the inaugural Heart of the High Street Awards.

Launched last month, our Heart of the High Street campaign will shine a spotlight on the people, teams and businesses who go above and beyond to create exceptional customer experiences.

Now, businesses and organisations across the region are being encouraged to get involved by sponsoring one of eight vibrant award categories, each reflecting the diversity and dynamism of Aberdeenshire’s high streets:

🏆Making Every Customer Count: Retail Award
🏆The Extra Mile: Professional Services Award
🏆The Warm Welcome: Hospitality Award
🏆The Experience Makers: Leisure & Tourism Award
🏆Supporting Health & Happiness: Wellbeing Award
🏆Outstanding Individual
🏆New Business of the Year

Sponsoring a category offers businesses a powerful opportunity to align their brand with excellence, community pride and local success. Sponsors will be at the heart of a positive, high-profile campaign which celebrates the best of Aberdeenshire while helping to strengthen connections across the local business community.

Full details including information on business training opportunities available at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/news/2026/jun/local-businesses-invited-to-champion-aberdeenshire-s-high-streets-as-award-sponsors

Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card

Pre-school childcare providers including childminders can now register for the 2026-27 Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme.

Childcare settings which are registered with the Care Inspectorate and which provide care to pre-school children for two hours or more per day are eligible to apply to join the scheme.

The ambition is for as many eligible children as possible to be receiving milk (or an alternative) and a healthy snack and to be acquiring healthy eating habits for the future.

The payment will be in two parts, first covering August 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027 (this payment will 66% of the total amount payable for the year) and second covering April 1, 2027 to July 31, 2027 (this payment will cover 34% of the total amount payable for the year).

Please ensure you submit your completed form no later than Friday, June 26.

👉https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/childcare-and-early-learning/scottish-milk-and-healthy-snack-scheme/

Road users are advised that the C35C between A947 and Auquhorthies Croft near Oldmeldrum will be closed to traffic for 5 days from next Monday (June 8th) to allow us to undertake road repairs.

Access will be provided for emergency services and vehicles requiring access to immediate properties.

Owing to the requirement that a diversion must divert to roads that are the same class as the one that is closed, the recommended detour is via the C35C (B9170), B9170 (Oldmeldrum) and A947 (Aberdeen).

We appreciate that working on roads can cause some inconvenience to users, but we would ask that you bear with us as we carry out these essential repairs.

Remember if you have myAberdeenshire you can sign up for email alerts for road closures and restrictions via the myAberdeenshire dashboard at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/my/ or visit https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/roadworks/

Two talented groups of young musicians from Mackie Academy are getting ready to take centre stage as part of Light the Blue 2026 🎶💙 Aberdeen Performing Arts

Led by Aberdeenshire Instrumental Music Service instructor Mathew Brechin, rock band Firesnake will perform at Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen, at 4.40pm this Sunday (June 7).

A week later, on June 14, contemporary Scottish traditional band Weesht! will take to the stage at the Music Hall as part of The Big Gig.

The Big Gig celebrates the incredible musical talent of young people from across the North East, bringing together performers from a range of organisations, ending with a collaborative finale featuring musicians and dancers from Emma Lowson Dance School.

It’s a busy and exciting term for these dedicated young performers, who are taking part in nine events, including the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention Youth Convention later this month.

Good luck to everyone involved 🎻🎸🎤