The Stanley Mills water mill complex beside the River Tay has picked up a fifth accolade for excellence in conservation.

The recent Scottish Design Awards 2009 saw it take the title for the best re-use of a listed building.

Judges made the award to LDN Architects - hired by Historic Scotland to create a visitor and education centre in the oldest parts of the complex - the Bell Mill and the Mid Mill.

Jane Rahil, Historic Scotland project manager for Stanley Mills, said: "It is wonderful that all those who worked so hard on the project to conserve Stanley Mills and give them a new future have been recognised in the Scottish Design Awards.


"The mills are an important part of Scotland's industrial heritage and we are delighted not just to have saved them for future generations, but to have transformed them into an exciting and innovative visitor centre for the public to enjoy."

The mills went out of production in 1989, fell into a dilapidated state and faced demolition until bought by Historic Scotland in 1995.

They were rescued with the help of The Prince's Regeneration Trust and received considerable financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other bodies.

Historic Scotland turned the most historically significant areas into a £4.7m visitor and education centre.

The visitor centre incorporates part of the Mid Mill and the entire Bell Mill, which was created in 1786 by Sir Richard Arkwright and is the best-preserved cotton spinning mill directly associated with the inventor of the factory system.

(GK/JM)