Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, Councillor David Cameron, toasted the occasion with a cup of tea from a tartan flask and a traditional rowie at a striking new viewpoint on top of the well-known landmark.

The five-hectare Broadhill has been transformed with new access steps, footpaths, viewpoints, drystone walls, timber and concrete seating and landscaping. The work has been completed in time for the public to enjoy the site as a vantage point for the forthcoming Tall Ships Race (19-22 July).

As he surveyed the completed works, the Lord Provost said: “This is an exciting occasion to toast with the first part of the beachfront works finished.

“As thousands of people come into the city for the Tall Ships Races, the revamped Broadhill with additional seating and a viewpoint will be a prime place to watch the vessels sail into the harbour as well as the spectacular Red Arrows display.”

Broadhill is part of the biggest redevelopment of Aberdeen beach for 35 years with work well underway in creating a beach park and a large events field.

The Broadhill works have seen more than 10,000 new trees, shrubs, and underlying vegetation planted across the site to help enhance the natural environment by further diversifying the habitat and ecological value of the area.

The Lord Provost was joined for today’s opening ceremony by members of the city’s Young Ambassadors, a group of young people who contributed ideas for the beach plans.

Aberdeen City Council’s Co-Leaders welcomed yesterday’s opening as the first project to be completed in the ambitious Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan.

Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It is good to see the first of the beach works finished as the first of the City Centre and Beach Master Plan projects.  We hope many generations to come will make good use of the changes at Broadhill. The beachfront is one of the jewels in the city’s crown and the work taking place in the area will further transform the beach area for the enjoyment of everyone.

“The works are the biggest redevelopment the beach has had for 35 years and is the next step to make Aberdeen an even better place for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “We welcome the works finishing at Broadhill. As work continues at the beach, I am looking forward to more of the works finishing and people of all ages being able to make use of the great new facilities.

“We welcome the input of the Young Ambassadors who helped to shape the new facilities here at the city’s beach. The council is committed to working with Aberdeen’s residents, beach users, partner organisations, and businesses at the beach to make Aberdeen beach and the Links the envy of other cities and a place where local people and visitors alike will want to visit to again and again.”

The other beach works have seen five new buildings and shelters currently being constructed for the play and events sites along with a new skate landscape while the foundations have been laid for a large bespoke play structure called the Rope Factory which is set to become an iconic attraction.

The play area will have four zones – sport, adventure, woodland, and coastal – all with different free activities.

The 2.5-hectare events field will have an amphitheatre and will be able to host festivals, larger concerts and gatherings. The play park and events field are due for completion in Autumn 2026.

Hub North Scotland is the council’s development and delivery partner for the master plan projects and the main contractor for the beach works is the Robertson Construction Group.

Richard Park, chief executive of hub North Scotland, said: “This is a landmark moment for the beach redevelopment with the transformation of Broadhill and the progress on the other works. Robertson has done a fantastic job in completing the Broadhill and every day now you can see the progress on the rest of the area. This will be a ‘must-visit’ destination when completed.”

Elliot Robertson, chief executive officer, Robertson Construction Group, said: “The opening of Broadhill is the first completed project as part of the overall transformation of Aberdeen’s beach. Being the trusted delivery partner, we understand the importance of bringing the vision of Aberdeen City Council and the local community to life.

“Working closely with hub North Scotland and the Council, significant progress is being made in the creation of well-designed, connected spaces which will be home to high-quality facilities. The vision to redevelop the beach will benefit the community through the provision of public realm spaces that will inspire wellbeing and activity and contribute to the local and regional economy.”

Work is progressing on stripping out the former Beach Leisure Centre in preparation for demolition of the building, which is due to begin next month. The Linx Ice Arena is open for business as normal during the works.

The beach improvements are part of a £150m commitment by Aberdeen City Council towards the City Centre and Beach Master Plan. Works are well underway on a new streetscape for the Union Street Central area while construction on the new market building is progressing as planned. Work is also due to begin on new streetscape improvements to the Castlegate next month. These areas will create vibrant and accessible areas to help make the city a destination of choice for the benefit of residents, visitors, and businesses.