The Famous Aberdeen Granite
The Granite Industry in Aberdeen has a rich and long history dating back to the late 1700s. Aberdeen is known for its abundant supply of high-quality granite. The industry started with the extraction of stone from local quarries, such as Kemnay Quarry, and the crafting of simple objects such as gravestones and building materials. As the demand for granite increased, so did the sophistication of the industry, with the development of new techniques for cutting and shaping the stone.
By the 1800s, Aberdeen's granite industry had become one of the largest in the world, producing monuments, buildings, and other structures both in Scotland and abroad. Despite facing challenges such as the decline of traditional industries and increased competition from abroad, the granite industry in Aberdeen continues to thrive and remains a key part of the region's history and economy.
Kemnay Quarry was opened in 1830 by John Fyfe, an Aberdonian, who forged a career in the quarrying and stone extraction business. Kemnay Granite features across the United Kingdom in structures such as the Thames Embankment, Cenotaph in London, Forth Bridge, Marischal College in Aberdeen and many more.
The Kemnay Grey Granite stone widely renowned for its sparkling grey colour and its angular shape. Kemnay Grey Granite is quarried from the same seam of granite as the original Kemnay Quarry in Aberdeenshire.
