Slessor Gardens

The Queen has officially opened part of Dundee’s new £1billion waterfront during her visit to the city in July 2016. Her Majesty was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh when she visited Slessor Gardens, the public green space in the heart of the city. She unveiled a plaque and met the people who have been involved in the project.  

Hardscape were privileged to observe that the royal party got to walk on and admire their recently laid and supplied paving materials. Magma, Crystal Black and Mill Red granite paving were amongst several other materials that Hardscape supplied collaborating with Dundee City Council, landscape architects Optimised Environments, Edinburgh and expertly laid by building and civil engineers Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd. 

The royal visit to the city began with a trip to the Michelin Tyre Factory, the city’s largest private firm with around 900 employees. Apprentices demonstrated skills including electrical testing, welding and a robot cage at the premises on Baldovie Road. The Queen and Prince Philip then had an opportunity to watch the tyre-making machines in action at the BNS Auto Technology Centre. 

The royal party arrived by helicopter to a huge police presence in a field close to Drumgeith Park. Later, the monarch and Prince Philip will have lunch at Dundee City Chambers where they will wave from the balcony to crowds in City Square. The final engagement for the royal couple was a visit to Dundee University’s Leverhulme Research Centre, where they toured the forensic laboratory with Professor Sue Black. They viewed techniques such as facial recognition, fingerprinting and electrical fire investigation before the Queen unveiled a commemorative plaque.