Latest news with #IsleOfHarris
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Two castles and a prison on RIAS best buildings list
Eleven buildings have been named as winners of the annual Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) awards. The buildings include two restored castles, a road bridge, a whisky distillery and Scotland's newest prison and young offender 11 winners will now become the "longlist" for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland shortlist will be announced in July ahead of the winner being revealed in November. Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness, by Ptolemy Dean Architects The Category A-listed Aldourie Castle has been conserved and all the surrounding estate buildings restored as well as new ones added, including farm buildings, an energy centre, a boathouse and a pedestrian bridge. The judges admired how the project reconnected the disparate buildings to their romantic setting. Caoghan na Creige, Isle of Harris, by Izat Arundell The stone-clad building blends into the rugged Hebridean landscape, giving the home the appearance of a modern-day blackhouse. The judges described the project as a testament to what can be achieved through patience, skill and a profound respect for place. Ellengowan Regeneration, Dundee, by Collective Architecture Ellengowan Regeneration replaces 124 deteriorating flats with 130 affordable is a mix of housing including accessible flats, cottage flats, family terraced houses and a corner shop. The judges praised the project's inclusive approach which balances modern needs with heritage preservation. Fairburn Tower, Muir of Ord, Highland by Simpson & Brown Architects Built in the 16th Century and added to in the 17th, this remote Category A listed structure had fallen into a ruinous state. The judges described Fairburn Tower as an exemplar project, where restoration and reconstruction are beautifully accomplished, while also delivering characterful holiday accommodation. Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge, Gairnshiel, Aberdeenshire by Moxon Architects The Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge provides a new route over the River Gairn, eliminating the lengthy detours and delays caused by frequent structural damage to the 18th Century crossing as it was no longer suitable for modern-day traffic. The judges described the project as a fine example of how to integrate a modern vehicular bridge into a sensitive landscape. HM Prison and Young Offender Institution Stirling by Holmes Miller Architects The building is billed as a "fundamental rethinking of custodial environments in Scotland".It supports women in custody through spaces that are intended to promote dignity, equality and meaningful judges praised it as a model of how public buildings can be both operationally robust and deeply humane. Kinloch Lodge, Lairg, by GRAS Kinloch Lodge is a "light-touch" conservation project which aims to maintain the charming and idiosyncratic nature of the original mid-19th Century lodge and its said each has been lovingly, painstakingly and respectfully restored exactly as they were found, using traditional methods and judges said the architects' involvement is refreshingly understated and thoroughly respectful of the original buildings. The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh, by Sheppard Robson The building is described by RIAS as a new heart for the University of Edinburgh which unites teaching, learning and social spaces. The judges described the Nucleus Building as a deftly executed piece of civic architecture. Riverside Primary School, Perth, by Architype Riverside Primary School is the first Passivhaus-certified school in judges described it as an exemplary project, which will serve as an inspiring model for the design of schools in Scotland and across the UK. Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk, by MLA The Rosebank Distillery had been considered lost but it has been carefully jury was impressed by the design team, who navigated complex constraints including contamination, conservation, coal mining risk and listed structures. They said the retention and restoration of the chimney, lockkeeper's cottage and red-brick buildings reflect a commitment to memory and place. Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen, by Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design RIAS said this transformation of a long-neglected civic space reclaimed Union Terrace Gardens as Aberdeen's green heart. The judges praised the project as a benchmark in public-realm regeneration, demonstrating the power of sensitive, people-centred design to transform a city's sense of place.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Isle of Harris Distillery offered Scottish government support
The Scottish government says it will 'do everything it can' to help Isle of Harris Distillery and its workers after the company announced redundancies. The maker of Isle of Harris Gin and single malt whiskies employs 50 director Simon Erlanger said the spirits industry was facing "challenging headwinds" and having to make difficult Minister Richard Lochhead said the Scottish government was paying close attention to the situation and working with the Western Isles-based company. The Moray SNP MSP told BBC Scotland News "volatility in the global market" had impacted on commercial decision-making in the whisky industry. But he said the Scottish government was confident the market would "pick up" in the development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has asked Isle of Harris Distillery for clarity on its situation, and its implications for the workforce. Ministers said redundancy initiative - Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) - was also ready to offer free advice and support to people affected. Isle of Harris Distillery said it welcomed any further government said it was supporting staff who had applied for voluntary redundancy to secure future employment. 'Deeply regrettable' In April, Isle of Harris Distillery said it would reduce its production and workforce as part of a restructuring distillery opened in 2015 with just 10 employees. Scotland's whisky industry previously warned tariffs imposed by the US - its most important overseas market - would be a "huge blow".Last week, the UK and US governments reached a deal on some areas of international trade, but President Donald Trump's blanket 10% tax on imports still applies to most goods entering the managing director Simon Erlanger said restructuring was needed to safeguard the future of the said voluntary redundancy was being offered to staff following cost-cutting measures, with compulsory redundancy to follow if reduction targets were not met. Mr Erlanger said the move was "deeply regrettable", adding that the distillery represented more than £20m investment in the island's week, trade body The Scotch Whisky Association described a UK-India deal, which would half tariffs on gin and whisky, as a landmark moment for the industry. In 2022, the Harris distillery secured £10m in funding from HSBC to pay for a new export drive to distribute its gin to more than 20 markets around the includes the US, Canada, France and Germany.
