This year’s cohort represents one of the most diverse line-ups ever recognised, encompassing everything from private homes and civic spaces to heritage restorations and pioneering public infrastructure.

From the rugged shores of Harris to the heart of urban Dundee, each winning project is a testament to creativity, craftsmanship and deep respect for context and community. These projects now form the longlist for the prestigious 2025 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award.

Meet the 2025 RIAS Awards Winners

Aldourie Castle, Loch Ness – Ptolemy Dean Architects

A breathtaking five-year undertaking, this project not only conserved the Category A-listed Aldourie Castle but also revitalised its entire estate with new buildings—including farm facilities, a boathouse, and an energy centre—all crafted using traditional techniques and local materials. The judges praised its poetic reawakening of the estate’s spirit, beautifully bridging past and present.

Caoghan na Creige, Isle of Harris – Izat Arundell

Hand-built by its architect-owners, this home nestles seamlessly into the Hebridean landscape, echoing the form of traditional blackhouses. With a restrained yet rich material palette, it’s a profound demonstration of place-sensitive, personal architecture—quietly powerful and deeply rooted in its surroundings.

Ellengowan Regeneration, Dundee – Collective Architecture

A model of community-centred regeneration, this project replaces deteriorated post-war housing with 130 affordable homes in a sensitive conservation area. With a thoughtful mix of housing types and elevated views over the River Tay, the development was commended for balancing heritage, accessibility and modern living.

Fairburn Tower, Highland – Simpson & Brown Architects

A spectacular rescue of a crumbling 16th-century tower, this restoration includes painstaking reconstructions and whimsical touches like a Renaissance-style ceiling. Now serving as holiday accommodation, it exemplifies how historic preservation can go hand-in-hand with contemporary use and sustainability.

Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge, Aberdeenshire – Moxon Architects

Combining functionality with finesse, this new bridge over the River Gairn addresses a vital transport need while honouring its historic predecessor. Made with recycled granite and weathering steel, it offers a bold, modern infrastructure solution in a sensitive Highland setting.

HM Prison and YOI Stirling – Holmes Miller Architects

A radical reimagining of custodial design, this women’s prison prioritises dignity, rehabilitation and humane environments. With its landscaped courtyards, natural light and domestic-scale interiors, it stands as a benchmark for how public architecture can support social change.

Kinloch Lodge, Lairg – GRAS

This delicate conservation effort preserves the quirky charm of a remote 19th-century lodge and its outbuildings. With minimal intervention and maximum respect, GRAS allowed the character of the original structures to shine through—an exemplary case of patient, considered restoration.

The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh – Sheppard Robson

A dynamic new centre for student life, this building weaves together learning, social and support spaces in an adaptable, forward-looking design. With a diverse mix of environments for study and collaboration, it sets a new standard for university architecture in Scotland.

Riverside Primary School, Perth – Architype

Scotland’s first Passivhaus-certified school is a triumph of sustainable and inclusive design. Blending calm interiors, toxin-free materials, and delightful outdoor spaces, it offers an enriching learning environment for all students—including nursery and intensive support provision.

Rosebank Distillery, Falkirk – MLA

A masterclass in heritage-led regeneration, the revived Rosebank Distillery blends historic structures with new facilities to restore its role as a working distillery. Sensitive reconstruction, creative problem-solving and authentic detail breathe new life into a lost landmark.

Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen – Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design

This transformational regeneration of Aberdeen’s central green space delivers three elegant new pavilions and extensive conservation work. It reclaims a neglected site as a welcoming, vibrant civic destination, earning high praise as a model for urban public realm design.

Each winner was selected after rigorous site visits by the expert RIAS jury, chaired by Jessam Al-Jawad, who remarked: “This year’s RIAS Awards winners show an inspiring range of responses to Scotland’s landscapes, communities, and heritage. Taken together, they demonstrate the extraordinary breadth of talent in Scottish architecture today.”

All eleven winners now advance to the longlist for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, to be announced in November 2025. They are also eligible for the 2025 RIBA National Awards.