Tain mill revamp scoops design award

THE renovated High Mills at Tain has scooped a top prize for Innovation at the Highlands and Islands Architecture and Design Awards.

And a 24 house development at Burnside in Plockton, designed by Skye architects Rural Design for Skye and Lochalsh Housing Association, won the top prize in the placemaking category.

The awards were presented by well-know comedian Fred MacAulay at a ceremony and awards dinner at the Strathpeffer Spa Pavilion on Friday night.

The chairman of the judges said: "We were hugely impressed by the standard of entries across all of the categories this year, they really were superb. High Mills at Tain was brought back from the brink with extraordinary sensitivity. We were impressed by the level of unexpected innovation in response to accommodating new design elements and creating a foil to the old structures."

The IAA architectural and design awards have been held every two years since 2008. The awards aim to raise awareness of the importance of good design and architecture.

Organised by Inverness Architectural Association – the chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects that covers the Highlands and Islands – they feature a range of categories, including prizes for best new building and best restoration.

The Open Award for Best New Building in the Highlands and Islands was shared by Highland Council architects for Milton of Leys Primary School and Dualchas Building Design for a house at 15 Boreraig, Duirinish, Isle of Skye. Bogbain Mill at Lochussie near Dingwall by Rural Design Architects received a commendation in the same category.

The conversion of Fort Augustus Abbey into the Highland Club won the prize for Best New Life for Old Buildings for LDN Architects.