Ogilvie Construction News
Company news and updates

In Galashiels, in the heartlands of the Scottish Borders, the Great Tapestry of Scotland gallery is open for visitors following completion this year by Ogilvie Construction.

Including a cafe, workshop space and visitor centre, the unique construction houses the incredible tapestry which tells the story of Scotland's history, heritage and culture dating from 8500 BC to present day.  

To find out more about the centre, visit the Great Tapestry of Scotland website here.

Ogilvie Construction was proud to recently complete the new purpose-built Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre in Galashiels for Scottish Borders Council.

The latest addition to Scotland’s national cultural scene is home to one of the world’s largest community arts projects. Hand stitched by a team of 1,000 stitchers from across Scotland, the Great Tapestry of Scotland incorporates over 300 miles of wool in 160 linen panels to create a pictorial history of Scotland.

The building, designed by Page\Park Architects, consists of gallery spaces, a visitor centre, café, workshop area and offices. The front of the neighbouring B listed post office was refurbished to accommodate staff and studio space.

 Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“We are proud to have delivered such a prestigious project that will play an important role in Scottish culture and the regeneration of Galashiels, attracting over 50,000 visitors to the town each year.

 “Our team worked closely with Scottish Borders Council and all of the stakeholders, managing the project though the challenges of the pandemic to successful completion.  The building has been designed and built to the highest quality creating a world class attraction.”

 The Great Tapestry of Scotland is a unique project to stitch the entire story of Scotland from pre-history to modern times and through its artistry and visual storytelling, making Scotland’s history, heritage and culture accessible to all.

Ogilvie Construction has appointed Kirsty Kirke as Development Manager for Social Housing to lead its expansion in the sector.

Kirsty brings over 25 years of experience in the delivery of mixed use residential developments across the UK and will lead the programme to build on the company’s success to date. Ogilvie is currently delivering social housing projects in Fife, Aberdeen and East Lothian.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kirsty to the team. She will play a key role in enhancing our portfolio of social housing projects, bringing extensive experience and a unique understanding of clients’ needs.”

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

Ogilvie Construction is celebrating landing an internationally recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards for the eighth consecutive year.

Ogilvie has received a RoSPA Gold Medal Health and Safety Award for working hard to ensure its staff operate in the safest possible working environment.

Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “Safety is at the heart of everything that we do and we are delighted to make it eight in a row with this gold award. We continue to invest heavily in achieving the highest possible health and safety standards across our operations. It has been a challenging year for everyone in construction managing the pandemic risks, but our team made have been exceptional in their dedication to maintaining those standards throughout.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, said: “RoSPA is very proud of the achievements of its entrants, and with this award we recognise the best of the best, those organisations that have gone the extra mile, raising the bar for the delivery of safety in the workplace. Employees, wherever they may be should be able to go to work safe in the knowledge that they will return home unharmed and healthy at the end of every day. Our RoSPA Award winners are central to achieving this goal.”

The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Gold medals, president’s awards, orders of distinction and the Patron’s Award are presented to organisations sustaining the high standards of the gold level over consecutive years.

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.

Ogilvie Construction has joined the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) as a training partner, giving employees a route to supported training and chartered status.

Under the scheme, CIOB will create a joint venture with Ogilvie, developing bespoke learning and development plan for the company’s staff.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “The training partnership initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to skills development across our workforce. It sets high standards and provides the necessary support for staff who want to develop their professional competence and qualifications, giving direct access to advice and guidance from a recognised partner.”

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.

Ogilvie Construction celebrated the topping out of the new AC by Marriott hotel development in Glasgow with client Chris Stewart Group, as the building reached its full hight.

The 245-bed hotel will form part of a £100 million mixed use development by CSG to transform the north east corner of George Square.  It will incorporate the refurbished grade A listed Parish Halls alongside the new build section, filling an 80 year old gap site in the city.

Duncan Ogilvie, Chief Executive, Ogilvie Group, said “We are delighted to be working with CSG to deliver their vision for a new AC by Marriott hotel in the city centre. Our site team has made excellent progress in driving forward the construction programme, despite the challenges of the pandemic.  The next phase of work will see the application of windows and facade, along with internal partitions, as we continue the momentum through to completion next year.

“This project is the latest chapter in our successful track record for quality and performance in the hotel and leisure sector. It is our fourth major hotel build in Glasgow and eighth in Scotland in recent years."

Ogilvie Construction has started work on an £17 million project to build new homes and a care facility for Midlothian Council in Dalkeith.

The development will create 50 new houses of mixed size and style for rent on the site of the former Dalkeith High School at Newmills Road.  It will also include a 40-bed intermediate care facility, along with infrastructure and landscaping and is due for completion in 2022.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“We are delighted to have been chosen by Midlothian Council to deliver this significant development as part of their house building strategy. It’s great to see our team now starting site operations and we look forward to handing over a mix of quality homes and care facility next year. Our site team will engage with the local community throughout the build to consider their needs and ensure the minimum of disruption in the immediate area.”

Midlothian Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for housing, Councillor Stephen Curran said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Ogilvie Construction on this major development. It is part of our most ambitious capital programme ever, which will see record investment of more than £0.567 billion through to 2025.

“The project won’t just bring high-quality, affordable council housing along with excellent care facilities, it will also mean job opportunities, apprenticeships, training  and work placements for local people. Ogilvie Construction is committed to working with our community benefits team to finalise the community benefits associated with this project.

“Ogilvie Construction estimates that at the height of construction, around 120 people will be employed on the project. Local people will be targeted for new job opportunities whenever possible and the company expects at least six new jobs will be created. We’re looking forward to local people benefitting from this build programme in the not too distant future.”

Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group and 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.

Ogilvie Construction has passed a major milestone in the building programme for the new AC by Marriott hotel in Glasgow, completing the structural steel framework.

The 245-bed hotel, being built by Ogilvie for the Chris Stewart Group, will form part of a £100 million mixed use development to transform the north east corner of George Square.  It will incorporate the refurbished grade A listed Parish Halls alongside the new build section.

Concrete floors were laid as the steel frame was erected and the next phase of the build will see the application of precast panels for the façade, along with roof works, windows and internal partitions.  The hotel is due for completion in mid 2022.

The development will fill an 80 year old gap site in the city, bringing style, elegance and all the associated amenities to create a first class experience for business and leisure guests.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“Despite the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic the on-site team has made excellent progress in driving forward the construction programme and we look forward to continuing momentum through the remaining project phases to deliver a new high-quality facility in the heart of the city.”

Tim Currie, Project Director, Chris Stewart Group (CSG), added: “Seeing the building take shape is extremely satisfying. This is a major development, which has needed careful planning through the disruption caused by the pandemic. We’re delighted that the project is on course to open to welcome visitors to Glasgow next year.”

The new hotel is the first stage in the realisation of CSG’s vision to deliver an experience and lifestyle-led destination in the heart of the city, skirting the Merchant City and Queen Street station.

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.

Martin Poole has joined the senior management team at Ogilvie Construction as Estimating Director.

He will play a key role in leading the pre-construction team to develop projects from inception through handover to onsite operations.  Martin brings almost 25 years of experience in the Scottish construction sector across a wide range of projects, including social housing.

Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Martin to the team. He brings a range of experience, knowledge and expertise that will enhance the continued growth of our operations as we continue to deliver high-quality buildings on time and budget for our clients.”

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.