Piper Alpha Memorial Garden
A solemn bronze memorial honoring 167 lives lost in the world's deadliest offshore oil disaster.
Nestled within Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, the Piper Alpha Memorial Garden stands as a solemn tribute to the 167 lives lost in the world's deadliest offshore oil disaster on July 6-7, 1988. Featuring an iconic bronze sculpture by Scottish artist Sue Jane Taylor unveiled by the Queen Mother in 1991, the memorial garden offers a peaceful space for reflection among rose gardens. The sculpture depicts three oil workers in contemplative poses, with the central figure holding a pool of oil shaped like an unwinding spiral, symbolizing both the industry and eternal remembrance.
A brief summary to Piper Alpha Memorial Garden
- Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen, Hazlehead, AB15 8BJ, GB
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Visit during late spring or summer when the 167 memorial roses are in full bloom, creating a particularly poignant and fragrant atmosphere for reflection.
- Allow quiet time to examine the sculpture's three figures and their symbolic orientations—each pose carries meaning related to the offshore industry and remembrance.
- Combine your visit with exploration of Hazlehead Park's broader attractions, including woodland trails and the Memory Path for additional contemplative experiences.
- The memorial is particularly meaningful on July 6, when annual remembrance services are held to honor those lost in the 1988 disaster.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Bus
First Bus route 11 and Stagecoach routes 4, 5, and 6 serve Hazlehead Park. Journey times from Aberdeen city center range from 20-35 minutes depending on traffic and boarding location. Services run regularly throughout the day with reduced frequency on Sundays. No fare required for children under 5; standard adult fares apply.
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Car
Two car parks are accessed via Groats Road, offering free parking. From Aberdeen city center, the drive takes approximately 15-20 minutes via the A944 or B9119 depending on traffic conditions. The memorial garden is clearly signposted within Hazlehead Park once you arrive.
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Cycling
Bike stands are located in front of the pond at the park café. The park is accessible by bicycle from central Aberdeen via local cycling routes, with a journey time of approximately 25-40 minutes depending on your starting point and route choice. The park's internal paths are suitable for cycling.
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Walking
From Aberdeen city center, the walk to Hazlehead Park takes approximately 45-60 minutes depending on your route. The park is situated on the outskirts of the city. Once in the park, the memorial garden is accessible via well-maintained pathways suitable for all mobility levels.
Piper Alpha Memorial Garden location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Piper Alpha Memorial Garden
A Tragedy Remembered in Stone and Rose
On July 6-7, 1988, the Piper Alpha platform—then the world's largest oil producer, accounting for roughly 10% of North Sea oil and gas production—became the site of the deadliest offshore oil and gas disaster in history. The explosion and fire claimed 167 lives, leaving families and communities devastated. The platform, operated by Occidental Petroleum, was later found to have suffered from inadequate maintenance and safety procedures. Today, the Piper Alpha Memorial Garden in Hazlehead Park stands as a permanent testament to those lost and a place where grief, reflection, and remembrance converge.The Sculpture and Its Profound Symbolism
The memorial's centerpiece is a striking bronze sculpture created by Scottish artist Sue Jane Taylor, who had visited Piper Alpha in 1987 and based much of her work around the oil industry. Unveiled on July 6, 1991—the third anniversary of the disaster—by the Queen Mother, the sculpture features three figures of oil workers in distinct poses. One faces west, representing the physical nature of offshore activities; another faces east, symbolizing eternal movement and youth; and the central figure faces north, its left hand cradling a pool of oil sculpted in the shape of an unwinding spiral. One of the survivors was used as a model for one of the figures, adding a deeply personal dimension to the work.Sacred Ground and Lasting Legacy
The memorial garden holds profound spiritual significance for many. The granite plinth supporting the sculpture contains the ashes of unidentified victims recovered in 1988, making the garden sacred ground. Over the decades, ashes of survivors who have subsequently passed away have also been scattered on the site. The garden was designed as a secluded sanctuary where families of victims and those affected by the oil industry's practices could come to reflect, contemplate, and find solace. Surrounded by the Queen Mother's Rose Garden—with 167 roses planted, one for each of the lost—the memorial creates an atmosphere of quiet dignity and remembrance.Artistic and Cultural Commemoration
Beyond the sculpture, the disaster has inspired broader cultural remembrance. In 1994, the Piper Alpha Window was created by congregation member Jennifer Jane Bayliss for Ferryhill Church in Aberdeen. The Oil Chapel in the Kirk of St Nicholas, dedicated in 1990 to mark 25 years of North Sea oil, hosts a book of remembrance for all those who have died offshore in British waters. In 2008, marking the 20th anniversary, a stage play titled Lest We Forget was commissioned by Aberdeen Performing Arts and performed during the week leading up to the anniversary. Scottish composer James MacMillan also contributed Tuireadh, a piece for clarinet and string quartet, as a musical complement to the memorial sculpture.A Place of Contemplation Within a Larger Park
The memorial garden sits within Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen's largest park at 180 hectares, originally gifted to the city by King Robert the Bruce in 1319. The park encompasses formal gardens, woodland walks, nature trails, and numerous recreational facilities. The Queen Mother's Rose Garden, where the memorial stands, offers a tranquil contrast to the park's more active areas, providing visitors with an opportunity to pause and reflect amid fragrant blooms and carefully maintained landscapes. The Memory Path, located across from the rose gardens, allows visitors to dedicate stones inscribed with haikus, verses, or quotes in honor of loved ones, extending the spirit of remembrance throughout the park.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Piper Alpha Memorial Garden
0.0 km
A solemn bronze memorial honoring 167 lives lost in the world's deadliest offshore oil disaster.
Queen Victoria Statue
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Edward VIII Post Box
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Rosemount Market
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Stone 45
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Blairs Museum
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St Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Aberdeen
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Workers' Memorial
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Duke Of Gordon Monument
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Edward VII Statue
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The Kirk of St. Nicholas Colonnade
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Unmissable attractions to see
Hazlehead Park
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Den of Maidencraig
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Johnston Gardens
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The Gordon Highlanders Museum
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Countesswells
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Foggieton
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Old drinking fountain, Westburn Park, Aberdeen
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Ice House
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Westburn Park
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Bridge of Dee
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Sainsbury's Local
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Fish N Hook
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Flagpole Hill
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Persley Walled Garden
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Essential places to dine
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The Albyn
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Pasta Plus
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Da Vinci Italian Restaurant
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Gifted
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Sonya Angus: The Unique Boutique
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Made by Mums with Love
3.0 km
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The Stock Shop Ltd.
3.1 km
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Treehouse Home Store
3.5 km
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The Owl at Number Two
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Surreal Journey
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Cloudyblue
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Country Ways Aberdeen
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Kafka Mercantile
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Wool For Ewe Ltd
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Colin Wood Antiques
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Sirene Boutique Aberdeen
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Tiger Lily Boutique
4.3 km
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Croft & Cairns
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Murdos Bar
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Brig O Dee Bar
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Abergeldie Bar
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Holburn Bar
4.0 km
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The Queen Vic
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College Bar
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Foundry aberdeen
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The Glentanar Bar
4.1 km
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Grape & Grain
4.1 km
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The Spiritualist Aberdeen
4.3 km
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Orchid Cocktails
4.4 km
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Masada Bar
4.4 km
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Dusk Cocktail Bar
4.4 km
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The Rusty Nail
4.4 km
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
Babylon
4.1 km
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491 Union Street
4.2 km
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Venga
4.3 km
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Club Tropicana & Venga
4.3 km
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Number 7 Club
4.6 km
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AURA Nightclub Aberdeen
4.7 km
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The Underground Klub
4.7 km
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Exodus
4.8 km
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Private Eyes
4.8 km
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The Mask Club
4.8 km
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CHEERZ
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Utopia Nightclub Montrose
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Market Arms
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Banff Town & County Club
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Deveronside Club
62.3 km
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Romantic
- Scenic
- Spiritual / Energy Spot
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Art Deco Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Art & Design
- Sacred Sites
- Parks & Gardens
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Spiritual / Energy Spot
- Myth & Legends
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly