The new top floor of the University of Aberdeen’s state-of-the art library, which was made possible by a generous donation by the Craig Group and the Craig family, has been unveiled.

The new floor is named the Craig Floor and hosts the David Craig Suite, in memory of the man who helped build one of Scotland’s most successful businesses.

The co-founder of Aberdeen’s Craig Group, David Craig, passed away in 2010, just before his 94th birthday and will be remembered in a fitting way with the Craig Floor, which will have stunning views across the North Sea where he spent much of his young working life and which forms a rich part of the Craig Group’s heritage.

This floor also features the University’s renowned divinity and philosophy collections which will be used to support some of the UK’s top research academics in these fields, who are based at the campus.

The David Craig Suite houses a series of flexible conference and seminar rooms and will be used for University and student events as well as being made available to the wider business community for meetings and informal evening receptions.

Chairman and managing director of the Craig Group, David’s son Douglas Craig, said: “We are delighted to contribute to this fantastic building and the Craig Floor looks magnificent. The David Craig Suite is a very touching and fitting tribute to my father and will inspire everyone who uses it.

“Overlooking the North Sea it is a perfect way to remember David who pioneered fishing in the North Sea, both as a skipper and then at the helm of the group for more than 70 years.”

A lifelike bronze sculpture which fully captures many of David Craig’s attributes has also been unveiled.

It was created by Candida Bond who is based near Aberdeen and was an apprentice for 7 years to the prolific British sculptor David Wynne who created the Queen Elizabeth Gates at Hyde Park in London and has sold out many exhibitions all over the world.

Former Principal of the University of Aberdeen, Sir Duncan Rice, who led a hugely successful fund-raising campaign to make the ambitious building a reality, will say a few words at the opening tonight as without him the Craig Floor would not be possible.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen Professor Ian Diamond said: “We are honoured to host a lasting tribute to David Craig, who was an inspirational figure throughout the north-east, within our library.”

The Craig Group family has strong ties with the University. Douglas completed his undergraduate studies in accountancy and political economics at the campus and was made an Honorary Doctorate in 2010.

Mr Craig snr was also recognised by the University four years ago when his services to the local business community also granted him an Honorary Doctorate.

Tags: The Craig Group