Ogilvie Construction News
Company news and updates

Construction work on an extension and modernisation of the north-east’s award-winning Macduff Marine Aquarium is about to get underway.

Appointed contractor Ogilvie Construction has already begun pre-construction activities on-site alongside the external landscaping works it started earlier this year.

The project is being developed with the support of UK Government funding together with other external funding streams and financial support from Aberdeenshire Council.

Ogilvie Construction is proud to have completed 30 Semple Street, Edinburgh’s latest prime Grade A office building.

Developed by Corran Properties for CBRE Investment Management, it delivers 57,000 sq ft of high-quality workspace designed for modern businesses.

With sustainability at its core, the redevelopment retained the building’s original frame, preventing 3,300 tons of CO2 emissions—over 50% of the carbon that would have been used in a full reconstruction. The new office space replaces fossil fuel boilers with clean heating and features abundant natural light, operable windows, and first-class amenities, including cycling facilities, EV charging, secure changing areas, and premium showers.

Now standing at eight floors, the building also boasts two additional levels and a stunning rooftop terrace with panoramic views over Edinburgh. With cutting-edge energy-efficient systems, contemporary design, and a focus on well-being, 30 Semple Street sets a new benchmark for sustainable workspaces in the city.

It is the first BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ design-stage, NABERS and AIR Score ‘Platinum’ accredited office building in Scotland and is designed to function in accordance with the UK Green Buildings Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework definition.

Council housing update - Supported Housing for Young People and additional council housing, at Almondvale Crescent, Livingston.

A significant step has been made towards restarting work on the Almondvale Crescent Site to deliver Supported Housing for Young People and additional council housing with Ogilvie Construction Ltd set to be appointed as the main construction contractor to take the project forward to completion via Hub South East, a delivery partner of the council.

Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, with completion of the building’s substructure.

Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230 students when it completes next year.

Construction works to deliver a state of the art learning facility for young people with additional support needs is progressing on the grounds of Bannockburn High School.

Bluebell House will provide bespoke accommodation for up to 24 pupils which will be kitted out with classrooms, nurture nooks, a sensory room and a GP room in addition to staff and administrative facilities.

WORK has started on construction of a new £10 million community hub for people in Inverclyde with learning disabilities.

The facility is being built on the former Hector McNeil Swimming Pool site in Brachelston Street, Greenock.

The project is being led and funded by Inverclyde Council/Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) alongside development partner hub West Scotland.

The new-build facility will have space for up to 50 adults and young people with learning disabilities and autism with scope for other community use.

It will replace the existing Fitzgerald Centre in Greenock and the former McPherson Centre in Gourock, which closed a number of years ago.

Work started this week on the development, which has been designed by architects Holmes Miller and is being built by main contractors Ogilvie Construction.

Ogilvie Construction has started work on a £6.5 million project to transform a permanent Traveller site at Double Dykes for Perth & Kinross Council.

The work will see all the chalets at the current site replaced by brand new energy efficient accommodation for residents, along with other major improvement works.

Twenty new chalets will be built with heating and hot water systems that use renewable technology such as solar panels to potentially become net zero. Along with new fencing for each pitch, improvement to existing roadways fences and site drainage, the work includes upgrades to LED lighting and development of play and communal gathering areas.

Hosing and social wellbeing convener, Councillor Tom McEwan, said: “The work will totally transform the lives of Double Dykes residents. These existing chalets have been in place for some time and the replacement accommodation will be modern and energy efficient, helping residents to save on their bills. We have worked very closely with residents so far and this will continue. The replacement programme will be carried out in three phases to minimise disruption to residents.”

David Mason, Operations Director North, Ogilvie Construction, said: “It is great to see site operations now up and running and we look forward to building new homes and an environment that will benefit residents for many years to come. Our team will work closely with residents and the local community to ensure minimum disruption throughout the project.”

Dalkeith High pupils have given Midlothian Council housing, on the site of the former school, “a real sense of soul” thanks to a new mural they worked on with Scottish artist Chris Rutterford.

Unveiling the artwork at a ceremony today (Thursday), Chris said the finished product “feels sunny and joyful, rooted in optimism”.

Chris, whose work includes the famous Colinton Tunnel mural and the mural in Mayfield, thanked pupils for their artistic contributions adding: “They should be very proud of themselves. They’ve given this new place a real sense of soul.” 

The mural, which depicts nature and animals in vibrant colours, is on a wall on Normandy Drive, home to a £17 million development of 44 new homes, plus eight bungalows and 39 amenity flats for people aged 55 and over.

Ogilvie Construction has reached another milestone in the project to build new high quality student accommodation facility in Haymarket Yards in Edinburgh with the completion of the top story and roof deck.

Members of the construction and design team celebrated the achievement with a “topping out” ceremony along with representatives from client, Who Hup Group/Aurum UK, on the roof of the new building.

The project remains on track for completion next summer and will provide 156 high quality studio apartments, along with many amenities including study spaces, a gym, cinema and private dining facility, as well as a roof terrace and shared gardens. The building is a zero-parking development but will provide parking for 150 bicycles.

The seven storey building is constructed with a mix of primary structural steel, light gauge steel frame and composite concrete slab panels, with the external walls of the structure finished with brick and curtain walling.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“We are delighted to mark this significant point in the project and look forward to handing over a first class building next year. This will be the fourteenth student accommodation facility that we have delivered in recent years using our extensive experience in the sector.”

Phil Johnson, Director of Woh Hup’s Aurum UK business, added:

“The team at Ogilvie has worked closely with us throughout the project and it was a pleasure to mark the topping out with them. When complete, the students living here will benefit from high quality facilities at the heart of Edinburgh’s transport hub.”

Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group, one of Scotland’s most consistently successful family-owned businesses.  The company is over 65 years old and employs 600 people across its various business operations in the UK.

Ogilvie Construction has continued an 11 year run of health and safety excellence with another RoSPA President’s Award, which is only given to companies who achieve more than 10 consecutive annual RoSPA Gold awards.

The unique accolade is recognition for Ogilvie’s dedication to ensuring that its staff get home safely at the end of every working day.

The esteemed RoSPA Awards program now celebrates its 68^th year as the UK’s largest and most impactful health and safety programme. With almost 2,000 entries annually from over 50 countries, impacting over seven million employees, they offer a platform to spotlight an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in health and safety.

Whether entrants seek non-competitive excellence recognition or vie for competitive awards across 32 industry sectors, the RoSPA Awards provide an unparalleled opportunity to stand among leaders shaping safer, healthier workplaces.

As of this year, the RoSPA award entry process can be used as reflective practise to contribute to continuing professional development (CPD).

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised with this award for the last eleven consecutive years and it is testament to our unwavering commitment to safety across all of our operations. We continue to invest in in health and safety so that everyone at Ogilvie recognises and embraces their responsibility to keep each other safe.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: "Workplace accidents don't just pose financial risks and operational disruptions; they significantly impact the quality of life for individuals. This is why acknowledging and rewarding excellent safety performance is vital.

“We congratulate Ogilvie Construction for winning a prestigious RoSPA Award and showing an unwavering commitment to keeping employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.”

Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group, one of Scotland’s most consistently successful family-owned businesses.  The company is over 65 years old and employs more than 600 people across its various business operations in the UK.