Shoppers visiting the Bon Accord centre this weekend are being challenged to show off their strength, balance and coordination skills, thanks to the installation of a 7.5-metre-high climbing wall.

The structure, located outside the mall’s Schoolhill entrance, forms part of a series of summer-related activities taking place within the centre.

It will be open to the public from Friday to Sunday (inclusive), from 9.30am to 3.00pm, daily, with four people able to climb it at any given time.

Shoppers keen to climb it will be asked to make an appropriate donation first, with all proceeds going to local secondary school, Northfield Academy.

The city school plans to use the funds to create a ‘Quiet Zone’ to offer young people an additional supportive and nurturing space to access during various points in the day, including break and lunch.

Northfield Academy head teacher, Craig McDermott, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise additional funds that will directly benefit young people at our school.

“Our new Quiet Zone will provide young people with an additional friendly and low-stimulation environment where they can enjoy food, social time, and educational activities.

“We cannot thank the team at Bon Accord enough for their support and would also like to thank the general public, in advance, for their generosity.

“We will have lots of volunteers at the centre over the weekend, including teachers, parents, current and former pupils, and hope to see as many of them as possible make it to the top of the wall.”

Andy Cameron, general manager, Bon Accord, said: “We love introducing family-friendly activities to the centre, especially during the school holidays, and the climbing wall is no exception.

“We also recognise the important role that schools play in our communities and so it’s great to be able to support Northfield Academy and its pupils in this way.

“We just hope everyone enjoys climbing the wall, which is definitely not as easy as it might look!”

While at Bon Accord, visitors will also be able to make use of the giant slide located in the mall’s atrium, as well as the centre’s Olympic Garden where they can sit on deck chairs and watch the games on a large screen.

Local dessert specialist 16 Below will also be serving whippy ice-cream and loaded bakes from a pop-up shop on the lower mall. 

More information about Bon Accord and its ‘Summer In The City’s Heart’ programme can be found at bonaccordaberdeen.com