GAIRLOCH REGENERATION PROJECT COMMENDED IN SCOTTISH BUILT ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

The winning and commended projects for the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards, which celebrate community-led built environment projects, were announced at a ceremony at South Block, Glasgow on 25th May.

Achtercairn Regeneration Project received a commendation for reinvigorating the northwest Highland village of Gairloch with affordable housing, a local farm shop and a community hub.

The Achtercairn Regeneration Project began in the late 2000s when the Communities Housing Trust collaborated with local people and key stakeholders to form the Achtercairn Development Group (ADG). ADG aimed to help the village overcome a low-wage, seasonal tourist economy, a lack of affordable homes and an outward migration of young people.

Working with over 50 local and national partners, ADG developed a detailed master plan for the central part of the village. Community members were heavily involved in each stage of the project through surveys and open days.

The resulting development, built in three phases over 10 years, now includes 19 sustainable and affordable homes, 6 Low-Cost Home Ownership homes, a local farm shop, an Air Training Corps and the GALE Centre, a community hub with tourist information, a shop, a cafe, office space and a University of Highlands and Islands learning hub.

Finished in 2020, the development has already had a massive impact on the area: 25 families have remained in the village with lifetime homes; school enrollment has increased; the community shop and cafe sell produce from 40 local makers, supporting the economy with an additional £75,000 annually; and the GALE Centre attracts over 40,000 visitors a year.

Chair of My Place Awards 2022 Judging Panel, Ian Leith, said: "The annual My Place Awards celebrate the best of Scotland’s places and spaces. This year’s commended and winning projects are inspiring examples of how communities can come together to develop innovative places and achieve a positive change for local people. We congratulate their immense efforts and encourage groups across Scotland to follow in their stead.”

The My Place Awards are free to enter and open to buildings, monuments, public realm schemes and designed landscapes in Scotland. They are supported by the Scottish Government. To enter a community-led built environment project for the 2023 My Place Awards, submit an entry form at myplacescotland.org.uk.

An exhibition featuring the 2022 My Place Awards shortlisted projects is on display through 1 June at Glasgow’s South Block.

Full details on the 2022 My Place Award entries and a short film about the winning project can be found at myplacescotland.org.uk

For further information please contact Scottish Civic Trust’s mission is to celebrate Scotland’s built environment, take action for its improvement and empower its communities. The Vision which drives this is thriving, beautiful and well cared for buildings and places, which help to support and sustain a high quality of life. More information can be found at in 1967, the Scottish Civic Trust exists to help people connect with their built heritage and take a leading role in guiding its development. In its infancy, it successfully campaigned for the restoration of Edinburgh’s New Town and was instrumental in saving New Lanark – both now part of Scotland’s network of six World Heritage Sites.

In addition to these major milestones, Scottish Civic Trust was also the first to bring Doors Open Day to the UK – now the largest free festival of architecture in the UK – which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019. More information can be found at www.doorsopendays.org.uk.