Robertson Northern's specialist works team has begun work on a £700,000 refurbishment project at Elgin Sheriff Court.

The work will see the development of a new courtroom and a full upgrade of the existing office facilities.

All works are being carried out between 5pm and 2am to allow the court to remain fully operational throughout the day.

Phase one includes forming a new passenger lift shaft and all works to the first floor offices. The second phase will involve merging two rooms to form a further courtroom. The work is expected to be completed by mid January next year.

Robertson Northern's specialist works team, which includes various craftsmen skilled in traditional methods of construction, has developed into a distinct business unit by focussing on matching clients expectations.


With its own dedicated management team and operational resource, it provides a high quality, responsive service on technically challenging projects across the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire.

Retained experience covers social housing upgrades, complex healthcare refurbishment and alteration work in acute and primary care environments, private houses, nursing homes, distillery work and many projects for local authorities such as school alterations and extensions.

Specialist works manager Eddie Milne - who recently joined the Elgin-based business - said: "It is very pleasing that we can join our client today to review current progress with the works.

"Throughout the design and planning phases we have worked closely with our client to develop a bespoke solution that will allow the court to remain fully operational throughout the build phase.

"We now look forward to strengthening our relationship with our client throughout the development stage of the project and delivering a flexible and modern facility."

Eleanor Emberson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service said: "The Scottish Court Service is the guardian of a large number of buildings in Scotland, many of which have particular historical and community interest.

"Elgin is a very busy sheriff court and needed this investment to extend our facilities and generally bring the building up to the right standard for all our court users.

"We are grateful to the Robertson Northern specialist works team for ensuring that inconvenience to building users is kept to an absolute minimum."

(GK/JM)