Aberdeenshire Council has revealed the shortlist of entries to its design awards which features buildings, structures and public art such as the Turra Coo, a bronze cow statue in Turriff and Mintlaw's sheltered housing development Abbey Court.

Judging last month whittle the entries down from 105 to 28.

The seven categories plaudits will be awarded in are business, conservation, craftsmanship, housing, public art, rural landscape development and sustainability.

Architects, artists and councilors with visit projects in July, spanning the whole area from Fraserburgh to St Cyrus.


Chair of Infrastructure Services Committee Peter Argyle said: "Aberdeenshire has a rich heritage that is being preserved through craftsmanship of the highest standard with towns and villages being transformed by public art and creative architecture."

Vice chair Alan Buchan said: "The Aberdeenshire Design Awards highlight all that is good in our built environment from conservation projects to rural landscapes and business offices. Congratulations go to all of those projects shortlisted."

Murray Restrup, president of Aberdeen's Society of Architects, is on the judging panel and looking forward to next month's site visits.

He said: "The built environment affects everyone and design expertise should be encouraged for the positive impact it brings to Aberdeenshire's communities."

Winners will be announced on Thursday, September 6.

For more information on the Aberdeenshire Design Awards Scheme contact Shaun Norman on 01467 628632 or here.

(NE)