Shortlist of top ten Scottish buildings from past 100 years

The Scottish Parliament - EMBT / RMJM
The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh - EMBT / RMJM - 2004

The Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh and Dundee’s Repertory Theatre have both been included on a shortlist of the best Scottish buildings from the past 100 years.

The 12-year-old Holyrood complex in Edinburgh, designed by Spanish architect Enric Miralles is joined in the top ten by the modern extension to the city’s Victorian Royal Museum.

National Museum of Scotland - Benson + Forsyth
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh - Benson + Forsyth - 1998



A public vote for the favourite will also include two Dundee contenders with the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre accompanying the ‘Rep’ theatre on the list.

Dundee Repertory Theatre - Nicoll Russell Studios
Dundee Repertory Theatre, Dundee - Nicoll Russell Studios - 1982

Dundee Contemporary Arts - Richard Murphy Architects
Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee - Richard Murphy Architects - 1999

They will be up against the Princes Square shopping centre, on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street, which was given a modern makeover 30 years ago.



Princes Square - Hugh Martin & Partners
Princes Square, Glasgow - Hugh Martin & Partners - 1987

Other buildings on the shortlist include what is reputed to be Europe’s smallest castle, built by English architect David Scott at Achmelvich, in the north-west Highlands in the 1950s, and a neglected art deco pavilion on the Isle of Bute, which is due to reopen in 2018.

Hermit’s Castle - David Scott
Hermit’s Castle, Achmelvich, Loch Inver, Sutherland - David Scott - 1950

Rothesay Pavilion - J & JA Carrick
Rothesay Pavilion, Rothesay, Isle of Bute - J & JA Carrick - 1938



The most recently-completed is the Pier Arts Centre, in Stromness, on Orkney’s mainland, which was completed nine years ago.

Pier Arts Centre - Reiach and Hall
Pier Arts Centre, Stromness, Orkney - Reiach and Hall - 2007

The oldest are a revamp of St Conan’s Kirk, on the shore of Loch Awe, in Argyll, begun in 1906 and finally finished in 1930, and the India Tyre and Rubber Factory at Inchinnan, in Renfrewshire, which has been home to the technology firm Kana for the last three years.

St Conan’s Kirk - Walter Douglas Campbell
St Conan’s Kirk, Lochawe, Argyll - Walter Douglas Campbell - 1930



India Tyre and Rubber Factory - Wallis, Gilbert and Partners
India Tyre and Rubber Factory, Inchinnan - Wallis, Gilbert and Partners - 1930

An original list of 100 buildings selected by an expert panel was published by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). An ambitious exhibition, which tells the story of the 100 buildings also began its tour across the length and breadth of Scotland.

The Scotstyle list is a headline event of The Festival of Architecture and a key part of the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.

Neil Baxter, RIAS Secretary and co-editor of Scotstyle, said: “This brilliant list testifies to the extraordinary quality of Scotland’s buildings. The fact that so many are relatively recent demonstrates that our national architecture is in very good health. We have much to celebrate.”



Voting will re-open on Saturday 21 August for the public to cast their vote for their favourite amongst the top ten. Scotland’s building of the century will be announced at the Finale of The Festival of Architecture in Dundee on the 18th November.

Scotstyle is currently touring the country in three separate versions and so far has been seen by 28,000 people. The exhibition will be on display at the Scottish Parliament during the Festival of Politics, and future locations include: Stromness, Kirkcaldy, Glasgow and Dundee.

The accompanying book celebrates the centenary of the RIAS, who have curated the exhibition.

To cast your vote, order a copy of the book and find out more about the exhibition tour, visit www.foa2016.com/scotstyle.


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