Piper Alpha Memorial and Garden given protected status

The Memorial and Memorial Garden, which pay tribute to the 165 victims of the world's worst offshore disaster, now have legal protection.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have given the Memorial Rose Garden designated status. 

Following a public consultation, it has as been added to the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes.

The bronze memorial sculpture of three figures representing the platform’s workers, designed and created by Artist Sue Jane Taylor, has been listed at Category B.

1988 Disaster

The Piper Alpha oil platform, located in the North Sea 110 miles northeast of Aberdeen, was the site of the world’s worst offshore disaster on 6 July 1988.

165 men who worked on the rig were killed when the Piper Alpha was destroyed by a series of explosions that caused major fires and the substantial collapse of the platform. Two crewmen from the MV Sandhaven were also killed during the rescue attempt.

Following discussions in 1988-89 about a suitable permanent physical memorial, the rose garden in Hazlehead Park was selected and the bronze memorial sculpture was unveiled on the third anniversary of the disaster in 1991.

Dara Parsons, Head of Designations at HES, said: “The Garden and Memorial are important sites of public commemoration and memory that connect people and communities to the enduring legacies of the Piper Alpha disaster.

“Designated status for these sites means that their cultural significance will be taken into account in future decisions about their management.”