Heritage and Education focuses on celebrating the rich history of the building and its collection of significant artefacts, while creating an engaging and accessible visitor journey. Through exhibitions, interpretation and immersive storytelling, the Kirk will become a place where people can learn about its heritage, understand its wider connections across Aberdeen, and engage with its history in a meaningful way.

St John’s Chapel:

St John’s Chapel, also known as the Oil & Gas Chapel, remains an important place of remembrance and reflection within the Kirk. The chapel created as a memorial to the Piper Alpha disaster and all those who have lost their lives in the service of the oil and gas industry. The space will continue to host the annual Oil & Gas Remembrance Service, providing families, colleagues and the wider industry with an opportunity to come together in remembrance and reflection. The families are invited into the chapel to sign the book of remembrance and then stay for a light reception for reflection. In addition, this space is ideal as a very unique wedding space or for use in recording small music compositions and video.

Artefacts:

The Kirk contains over 100 significant historic features and artefacts, including 15th-century medieval effigies, 17th-century embroidered tapestries, historic stonework, plaques and flags, all of which contribute to the heritage and identity of the “Mither Kirk”. Of particular significance are the Carillon bells, the largest and best preserved in the UK, which are highly unique and already attract considerable interest from visitors, particularly from Holland and Belgium where carillons are more prominent. A full inventory has been completed across the West Kirk, Drum Aisle and tower; however, over time a number of artefacts and building elements have deteriorated due to environmental conditions, damp and limited maintenance, with some sensitive protection and relocation already undertaken.The proposed works will include the careful repair, cleaning and conservation of these historic features, undertaken sensitively in line with their material and significance. Scot-ART’s vision is to combine the Kirk’s historic fabric with modern interpretation and technology to create an engaging visitor experience celebrating Aberdeen’s history and heritage. These artefacts will form part of the Kirk’s developing exhibition and tour strategy, helping to enhance visitor engagement, support education and community use, and preserve the Kirk’s heritage for future generations.

Internal Exhibition & Tours:

It is proposed that a new internal exhibition and interactive tour experience will be developed to celebrate the history and significance of the Kirk of St Nicholas. The visitor journey will begin within the sanctuary, where key artefacts, historic features and interpretation displays will help explain the social structure, architecture and wider history of the Kirk. Visitors will then follow a defined route through the building, supported by audio, visual and interpretive materials designed to create an engaging and educational experience. Scot-ART aims to combine the historic setting of the Kirk with modern technology to create a unique cultural destination within Aberdeen city centre. The route will continue through the Drum Aisle, highlighting important moments in Scottish and local history, before concluding in St John’s Chapel with interpretation linked to the Oil & Gas Memorial Chapel and wider community heritage.This approach will create an immersive visitor experience supporting tourism, education, cultural events and wider community engagement while helping to increase activity and footfall within the city centre.