The My Place Photography Competition is Scotland-wide a built environment photographic project run by the Scottish Civic Trust for young people (4-18). It encourages children to look at their heritage in the places they live and develop an understanding of the spaces, buildings and archaeology around them, through the medium of photography. The competition is free, and open to schools, youth groups, clubs and home-educated young people.
This year the competition attracted entries from 438 young people, ranging from ages 5 to 18, 38 primary schools and 21 secondary schools, and 2 school camera clubs and 1 cub scout group.
For the first time, all 438 entries have created a photo wall as part of the My Place exhibition, which is open to the public until 3 June 2019, entry is free.
Winning and Commended Photographs 2019
Closed for Business by Macey, Glenboig Primary School Camera Club, Winner of the Primary School Category 2019
Take Me To Church by Nicholas, Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen, Winner of the Secondary School Category 2019
Tranquility by Isla from Levenmouth Academy, Fife, Winner of the Young Persons’ Choice Award 2019
The Mystery Light by Jenny from Gargieston Primary School, Kilmarnock, Highly Commended in the Primary School Category 2019
The Hole In The Wall by Kenziey and Lewis from Crosshouse Primary School, Kilmarnock, Highly Commended in the Primary School Category 2019
Water at Night by Ross, Milngavie Primary School, East Dumbartonshire, Commended in the Primary School Category 2019
The Black Pipe by Samuel from West Coats Primary School, Cambuslang, Commended in the Primary School Category 2019
Black Bull Close by Euan from Dunbar Grammar School, East Lothian, Commended in the Secondary School Category 2019
Forth Rail Bridge by Adam from Denny High School, Falkirk, Commended in the Secondary School Category 2019
Inside The Kelpies by Emma, Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen, Highly Commended in the Secondary School Category
Catching Glimpses by Anna from Dunbar Grammar School, East Lothian, Highly Commended in the Secondary School Category
The My Place Awards, supported by the Scottish Government, recognises projects that have had a positive impact in their local neighbourhood and have delivered regenerative benefits to that community.
Bellsbank, East Ayrshire was announced as the Winner of the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2019 by Aileen Campbell, Communities Secretary, Scottish Government in The Lighthouse, Glasgow.
Bellsbank is a rural, former coal mining community that has suffered heavily from the loss of the local industry. Despite the wonderful landscape setting at the head of the Doon Valley overlooking the Bogton Loch, the physical appearance and condition of the housing stock had become dilapidated and forbidding. The idea to bring colour to Bellsbank was conceived of locally and residents were invited to choose from a carefully considered colour plan. The unique, innovative and collaborative approach at Bellsbank, with residents engaged and empowered from the outset, has seen a transformative effect. The improvements have not only been felt in the dramatic visual enhancement of the village, but also in tackling social isolation and loneliness, fuel poverty, food insecurity and connectedness.
Projects were shortlisted from across Scotland; Barholm Community Enterprise Centre, Bellsbank, Dunoon Burgh Hall, Inverness Creative Academy, The Raining’s Stairs Development and Turriff Cemetery and Millennium Garden.
Dunoon Burgh Hall, Argyll & Bute received a Commendation.
Turriff Cemetery and Millennium Garden received a Small Project Green Space Award.
The Raining’s Stairs Development received a Small Project Public Realm Award.
The Sustainability Award
As the My Place Awards enter their ninth year, the Sustainability Award was introduced for the first time to recognise projects and buildings which have flourished over time and have made an extraordinary impact to the community. Nominations were received for Dance Base, Maggie’s Edinburgh, Jupiter Artland, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Castlemilk Stables and Eastgate Theatre.
Maggie’s Edinburgh was announced as the winner of the My Place Sustainability Award 2019.
Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA), Dundee, (opened 1999) received a Commendation.
Representatives from the My Place Award and Sustainability Award winning projects stand with Aileen Campbell MSP and Colin McLean, Chair, SCT.
Maggie’s Edinburgh was the first centre to open in 1996 and is now one of 22 centres across the UK and abroad. The building, designed by Edinburgh-based Richard Murphy Architects, was shortlisted for the 1997 RIBA Stirling Prize. The centre in Edinburgh is built in the grounds of the Western General Hospital and offers free practical, social and emotional support to all those affected by cancer. The evidence based programme is based on the principle of helping those affected by cancer, to manage the impact of a diagnosis and help those affected to live with hope and determination. During 2018 Maggie’s Edinburgh underwent a refurbishment project which saw the current building be extended to allow for new meeting spaces for both groups and individuals.
All shortlisted projects and entries to the photography competition will be in the My Place Exhibition at The Lighthouse, Glasgow from 25 April – 3 June 2019. Entry is free.
The Leaf Room, Dundee Wins The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018
The winning and commended projects in the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018 were announced today, 20 March, by John McNairney, Scottish Government Chief Planner in The Lighthouse, Glasgow. The Awards are supported by the Scottish Government.
The winning project is The Leaf Room, Dundee
The Leaf Room was designed for patients, staff and visitors to Ninewells Hospital and Medical School. It sits beautifully in the landscape at the edge of an area of mature woodland just to the south of the hospital. The roof has the appearance of a folded leaf, which is tilted at one end to assist in the collection of grey water for recycling. The roof overhangs the main activity space which can be used for various purposes ranging from talks and concerts to children’s sessions and quiet contemplation.
Gaby Laing, Heritage Officer at the Scottish Civic Trust said:
“The Leaf Room totally encapsulates what the My Place Awards are all about: a beautifully and sensitively designed asset loved and used by the community. Modest in its approach, the Leaf Room truly delivers far beyond its remit. In 2018, all eyes may be on Dundee for the opening of the new V&A, but the Leaf Room goes to show how much Dundee already has to be proud of in terms of civic pride and architecture.”
Image (c) The Voigt Partnership
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards were established in 2010 by the Scottish Civic Trust. They are unique in Scotland as they are a national celebration of good local design and conservation as nominated and evaluated by local people. This is not an industry award. Their aim is to identify projects or buildings that have had a positive impact in a local neighbourhood and have delivered positive benefits to that community. Entries in all categories will be assessed on their architectural, heritage and/or place making benefits.
The awards also recognise Civic Champions who have made outstanding contributions to placemaking in their local community and/or celebrating and protecting the local historic environment. Instead of inviting nominations the judges chose to recognise individuals connected to the shortlisted projects who shone through the judging process. TwoCivic Championswere chosen this year. Betty Cosgrove, Chair of Calton Area Association, was singled out for her contribution to the community in Calton, and her engagement with St Luke and the Winged Ox in Glasgow. The DG1 Neighbours were rewarded for their work with the Dumfries Neighbourhood Street Design Project.
The winners of the My Place Photography Competition for young people were also announced.
Anna Skrzypek, aged 9 from Mount Florida Primary School, Glasgow, won the Primary School category for her photograph, ‘Perfect Sunlit Church’.
Amy Lieberman, aged 17 from West College Scotland, Paisley, won the Secondary School category for her photograph, ‘Wildlife’.
Nicholas Waterson-Boyd, aged 17 from West College Scotland, Paisley, won the Young Persons’ Choice Award in support of Year of Young People 2018 for his photograph, ‘Isolation’.
FULL LIST OF MY PLACE AWARD WINNERS AND COMMENDATIONS
Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018
WINNER
The Leaf Room, Ninewells Community Garden, Dundee
Nominated by: Dundee Civic Trust
Architect: Jonathan Reeve, the Voight Partnership
Client: NHS Tayside, Forestry Commission Scotland and Ninewells Community Garden
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Widows and Bairns, Eyemouth, Scottish Borders
Nominated by: 125 Memorial Association
Designer: Jill Watson Studio
Client: 125 Memorial Association
SMALL PROJECT AWARD
Belville Biodiversity Garden, Greenock, Inverclyde
Nominated by: Belville Community Garden Trust
Designer: Laura Reilly
Client: Belville Community Garden Trust
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Pairc Niseaboist, Isle of Harris, Western Isles
Nominated by: Rural Design
Designer: Rural Design
Client: West Harris Trust
COMMENDED
An Crùbh, Isle of Skye, Highland
Nominated by: Camuscross and Duisdale Initiative
Designer: WT Architecture
Client: Camuscross and Duisdale Initiative
COMMENDED
Kirkmichael, Black Isle, Highland
Nominated by: McGregor Bowes
Architect: McGregor Bowes
Client: The Kirkmichael Trust
COMMENDED
Lamer Island Battery, Dunbar, East Lothian
Nominated by: rankinfraser landscape architecture
Architect: rankinfraser landscape architecture
Client: Dunbar Harbour Trust
COMMENDED
New Cumnock Town Hall and Outdoor Swimming Pool, New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Nominated by: The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust
Architect: Dovecote Architecture
CIVIC CHAMPION
WINNER
BETTY COSGROVE
For support to the following project:
St Luke’s and the Winged Ox and her work with the Calton Area Association
WINNER
DG1 NEIGHBOURS
For support to the following project:
Dumfries Neighbourhood Street Design Project
As the countdown to Christmas begins, so too does the search for 2018’s best new building, public realm or designed landscape or heritage restoration project in Scotland.
In 2018 the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards will recognise projects that have had a positive impact in a local neighbourhood and have delivered positive benefits to that community.
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards are unique in Scotland in that they are:
A national celebration of good local design and conservation projects
Nominated and evaluated by local people. They are not ‘industry’ awards.
Are supported by the Scottish Government, for the benefit of the communities and places of Scotland.
For the first time we are welcoming nominations from architects, landscape architects, other designers and organisations such as local authorities, building preservation trusts, housing association etc. as long as they can demonstrate support from the local community for the project and evidence of positive differences made such as community benefit and placemaking. Civic societies, community councils, development trusts and other community-based voluntary groups or heritage societies are of course warmly encouraged to keep their nominations coming in.
Examples of previous entries and winners can be viewed at www.myplaceawards.org.uk/galleries
Entries will be published online and the winning and commended entries will be presented at a special ceremony at The Lighthouse in March 2018.
For rules and entry guidelines, and to make your online nomination, click here.
THE BOTANIC COTTAGE, EDINBURGH WINS THE SCOTTISH CIVIC TRUST MY PLACE AWARDS 2017
THE ISLE OF HARRIS DISTILLERY WINS THE CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
The winning and commended projects in the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2017 were announced today, 23 March, by Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government and Housing and Colin McLean, SCT Chairman, in The Lighthouse, Glasgow.
The winning project is The Botanic Cottage, Edinburgh
The Botanic Cottage, Edinburgh, a project by architects Simpson and Brown for the Royal Botanic Garden, involved moving an 18th century building, stone by stone, across Edinburgh and rebuilt in the Royal Botanic Garden with all the stones and timbers going back in the correct place. It looks as good as it did 250 years ago. The project is built to the highest possible standards and has quickly become a joyous community and education facility.
John Pelan, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust said:
“This is a fantastic project which meets all the criteria and more for the My Place Awards. Passion, determination, quality, design, community engagement and civic pride are in abundance in this wonderful and surprising restoration project. Edinburgh has a new civic asset to be proud of.”
The Isle of Harris Distillery on Tarbert won the Scottish Civic Trust Chairman’s Award.
The first legal distillery in the Isle of Harris has been established with the aims of addressing issues of population decline and the related challenges facing the fragile local economy in this remote Outer Hebridean location. The result of several years of much community engagement, the distillery build has now come to fruition, opening its doors to the public in October 2015. The judges were hugely impressed by the quality of the design and build but, more importantly, by the project’s clear wider benefit to the Island of Harris, its inhabitants and many visitors.
SCT Chairman, Colin McLean said:
“The distillery has created 18 high quality, permanent well-paid jobs in a place where they were badly needed. The distillery works canteen is now well used by local people looking for a place to meet and blether. It has created a renewed sense of sprit on the island. It is truly The Social Distillery“.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS AND COMMENDATIONS
Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2017
WINNER
The Botanic Cottage, Edinburgh
Nominated by the Cockburn Association
Designer: Simpson and Brown
Client: Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Connecting Communities Along the Carron
Nominated by Along the Carron Association
Client: 16 communities along the River Carron
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Inverness Campus
Nominated by Inverness Civic Trust
Designer: HarrisonStevens
Client: Highlands and Islands Enterprise
COMMENDED
Boulder Path Gardens and Bathgate Road Verges Improvement Project, Blackburn
Nominated by Community Action Blackburn
Client: Community Action Blackburn/West Lothian Council & WESLO Housing
COMMENDED
Whithorn Roundhouse, Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway
Nominated by Whithorn and District Community Council
Designer: Hazel Smith
Client: The Whithorn Trust
SCT CHAIRMAN’S AWARD
WINNER
Isle of Harris Distillery, Tarbert
Designer: John Coleman
Client: Isle of Harris Distillers
RUNNER-UP
Fire Station Creative, Dunfermline
Designer: Simon Laird Associates
Client: Fire Station Creative
CIVIC CHAMPION
WINNER
Fiona Wyllie
Nominated by Kilmaronock Community Council
HIGHLY COMMENDED
JAMES HARRIS
Nominated by Coupar, Angus and Bendochy Community Council
ATLANTIC ISLANDS CENTRE ON ISLE OF LUING WINS SCOTTISH CIVIC TRUST MY PLACE AWARDS 2016
LOUIS WALL CROWNED CIVIC CHAMPION
Louis Wall (left) and the Atlantic Islands Centre (right)
A new community facility and visitor centre, designed by Shauna Cameron Architect, on the Isle of Luing, one of Scotland’s slate islands in Argyll and Bute has won the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2016. The awards were presented on Tuesday 22nd March at The Lighthouse in Glasgow.
The centre was developed to spearhead sustainable development on the island. It opened in the summer of 2015 and has quickly become established as a focal point for community life. The centre is a sustainable and inspiring example of community-led regeneration on a small island. It has greatly improved the quality of life on the island of Luing and made it a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
Judges’ comments: “The Centre is a model of community engagement, benefit and cohesion. The beautiful island of Luing and its strong community have got behind this transformative project which has provided jobs, increased tourism and given the island a focal point for meeting, talking and sharing. It is an example of civic society in action, on a small scale but with imagination, passion and, above all, determination in the face of many challenges. The Atlantic Islands Centre is a worthy winner of the My Place Awards 2016”
Louis Wall, nominated by South West Railway Adopters Gardening Group, won the Civic Champion award. Six years ago Louis noticed his local station, Stranraer, was lacking in colour and life so, with approval, he set about transforming it with imaginative and colourful plants. Since then, he has achieved plantings at 20 stations in the South West of Scotland with the involvement and support of many volunteers, local groups, communities and schools. He works long days to achieve his objectives: making the stations of South West Scotland bloom with vibrant colour.
John Pelan, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust said: “This is the seventh year of the My Place Awards. It has grown from being a modest celebration of placemaking, heritage and people to become a remarkable record of achievement and a celebration of Scotland’s heritage and places, old and new. This year, we received a record number of entries in both categories – 28 projects as well as 14 individuals put forwards as civic champions. Nominations were made by local civic trusts, community councils, heritage organisations and other voluntary groups”
Ian Gilzean, Scottish Government Chief Architect said: “The My Place Awards demonstrate the way in which well-considered buildings, places and activities can make an immense difference to life within communities. These projects provide far more than physical facilities, they are conduits for social interaction and they help to build the kind of connections that strengthen communities. They show the importance of approaches to place which consider people first.
Project summary
The project facilitated the major refurbishment of the former Bridgeton Public Library in the heart of the East End, an area of multiple deprivation that has suffered decades of neglect and industrial decline. The library makes a significant contribution to local cultural and architectural heritage at the heart of the East End and is both sensitive to the original building and confident in its new design.
Judges’ comments
The new library is significant on both a local and national level. Locally, it has breathed new life intothe old public library with a bold but sensitive design that has drawn its vision from the area’s community with a sense of responsibility and respect. Nationally, it celebrates the lives, histories and achievements of Scotland’s women through the ages. The library is welcoming, accessible and open to all, men and women. The library’s facilities and rich programme of activities are multi-faceted and it has become much more than simply a place of books; it is a vibrant and supportive place which has become a focal point in the lives of many in the community.We strongly recommend a visit.
COMMENDED
HIGH MILL OPEN GALLERY Dundee
NOMINATED BY: Friends of Dundee Heritage Trust
ARCHITECT / LEAD DESIGNER: Doug Reid, Partner, and James F Stephen Architects
CLIENT: Dundee Heritage Trust
Project summary
The gallery at Scotland’s Jute Museum @ Verdant Works is an exciting and ambitious £2.75 million project which has completed the restoration of the category A-listed Verdant Works site, securing a sustainable future for this nationally important complex. The development has almost doubled the size of the existing museum, transforming the oldest part of the building, the High Mill of 1833, into a stunning cathedral-like gallery and learning space.
Judges’ comments
The High Mill Open Gallery addition to the Verdant Works museum is an important element in the transformation of a challenging area in Dundee which has suffered from the loss of traditional industries. The spacious new gallery is functional, adaptable and very impressive in its scale and open design, filled with information and echoes of Dundee’s once proud and vibrant jute-making past.
COMMENDED
HISTORIC KILMUN Kilmun
NOMINATED BY: Historic Kilmun Management Board
ARCHITECT / LEAD DESIGNER: Icosis Architects / Stephen Newsom Architect
CLIENT: Argyll Mausoleum & St Munn’s Church, Kilmun
Project summary
The main aims of the project were to restore and conserve the historic Argyll Mausoleum and artefacts and to open it to the public in a fitting and sensitive manner. All the input has been from a small team of dedicated volunteers who not only manage the project but welcome visitors, carry out fundraising and organise community events. It is a great example of community-led regeneration and restoration.
Judges’ comments
With a modest budget, the trust and its volunteers have beautifully restored this important historic building and its associated artefacts, making them more accessible as well as raising the profile of the wonderful, atmospheric location. The work has been carried out with great care and attention to detail and we were particularly enchanted with the tiny but beautiful visitor centre. The volunteers have successfully put this architectural jewel back on the map and their work is to be commended.
COMMENDED
HUMBIE HUB Humbie
NOMINATED BY: Haddington and District Amenity Society
ARCHITECT / LEAD DESIGNER: Nicola Hall, Director, Lee Boyd
CLIENT: Patrick and Linda Flockhart
Project summary
The Humbie Hub is the central focus for the village of Humbie community and has met with resounding success. The shop and post office have been transformed beyond recognition and new accommodation has been created for local businesses one of which provides high speed broadband for the community. In a short time, the Hub has become a favoured venue for outings for coffee or a light lunch, drawing visitors from all over the county.
Judges’ comments
Facing many challenges, the owners have, with the full support and involvement of the community from this small rural settlement in East Lothian, created a new, vibrant and attractive facility for both residents and visitors to enjoy local produce, beautiful scenery and a warm and welcoming presence. The Hub has brought people together in new and unexpected ways and offers a template to inspire other rural communities.
SPECIAL AWARD
Project of national significance
DUMFRIES HOUSE ESTATE
NOMINATED BY: Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
ARCHITECT / LEAD DESIGNER: multiple contributors
CLIENT: The Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust
Project summary
The estate is a fantastic example of successful heritage-led regeneration in Scotland extending across architecture, interiors, collections, landscape, education/training and activities. The project uses heritage as a vehicle in a bold and vigorous campaign to change things for a depressed local community with high levels of unemployment. Tourists and local visitors enjoy the landscape free of charge while other facilities generate profit to make the estate sustainable in the long term.
Judges’ comments
We were very keen to recognise the national significance of this superb and ongoing restoration project. The quality throughout is extraordinarily high, from conservation of furniture and artefacts to the restoration and reconstruction of buildings, monuments and gardens. The intervention of His Royal Highness, The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay has been key to the stunning transformation of the house and estate which have been saved for the nation.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards scheme is unique in Scotland as it is a national celebration of good local design and conservation as nominated and evaluated by local people. It is not an industry award.
Its aim is to identify projects or buildings that have had a positive impact in a local neighbourhood and have delivered positive benefits to that community. Entries in all categories will be assessed on their architectural, heritage and/or place making benefits.
The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards are supported by the Scottish Government.
The winning and commended projects in the Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2018 were announced today, 20 March, by John McNairney, Scottish Government Chief Planner in The Lighthouse, Glasgow. The Awards are supported by the Scottish Government.
The Botanic Cottage, Edinburgh, a project by architects Simpson and Brown for the Royal Botanic Garden, involved moving an 18th century building, stone by stone, across Edinburgh and rebuilt in the Royal Botanic Garden with all the stones and timbers going back in the correct place. It looks as good as it did 250 years ago. The project is built to the highest possible standards and has quickly become a joyous community and education facility.