scotland news
News stories: 1 - 30 of 30
Blairgowrie Recreation Centre is Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure development
by Kath Hudson | 11 Sep 2025
Perth and Kinross Council has officially opened the £36 million Blairgowrie Recreation Centre – Scotland’s first Passivhaus leisure development. Designed by architects Holmes Miller, which specialises in carbon neutral development, the leisure centre sets a new benchmark for sustainable sports and leisure buildings in Scotland. The UK currently has only one other leisure centre built to Passivhaus standards: St Sidwell’s Point in Exeter, Devon. Blairgowrie replaces an outdated 1980s facility,
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
by Megan Whitby | 05 Jan 2024
Rural Scottish retreat Murrayshall Country Estate has received the green light for its £30 million (US$38 million, €34.8 million) masterplan. The proposal includes plans for an extension to the 40-key four-star hotel in Scone, Perthshire, as well as the addition of a new spa and leisure facility with treatment rooms, a spa pool, spa cafe, gym and studio, a leisure pool and outdoor spa terrace. Proposed updates also include a
HBA's Great Scotland Yard hotel references its police HQ heritage
by Stu Robarts | 19 Mar 2020
A 152-room luxury hotel, designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), recently opened in an 1820s listed building that used to house London's Metropolitan Police headquarters. Great Scotland Yard is now the first Unbound Collection by Hyatt hotel in the UK, but is described by Hyatt as one of the UK capital's most historic buildings. David T’Kint, partner at HBA, explained: "This building is an icon hiding a century and more
Goddard Littlefair design Scotland's first Kimpton Hotel
by Andrew Manns | 11 Mar 2019
The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel – formerly the Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square – has opened in Edinburgh, Scotland. Overhauled by London-based studio Goddard Littlefair, who also led the Principal's award-winning £25m (US$32.7m, €29.1m) outfitting in 2017, the hotel features 184 rooms and 15 suites, plus a spa, gym, and BABA bar. Other offers at the Grade II-listed retreat include in-room yoga mats and free fitness classes. Managed by luxury hospitality
Kengo Kuma’s V&A Dundee: Drone footage shows finished building ahead of opening
by Luke Cloherty | 16 Aug 2018
The Kengo Kuma-designed V&A Museum of Design Dundee, Scotland’s first dedicated design museum, is set to open its doors in less than a month. Opening on 15 September 2018, the V&A Dundee will be the lauded Japanese architect’s first building in the UK. The structure is now complete and new stills from released drone footage, taken by Rapid Visual Media, show its contours and sculptured outline off to the wider
Scotland’s Kohler Waters Spa reopens after multi-million pound renovation
by Jane Kitchen | 20 Feb 2018
Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland has reopened following an extensive multi-million refurbishment. The 25,000sq ft (2,300sq m) spa is the only Kohler Waters Spa outside the US, and focuses on hydrotherapy and organic treatments, with signature wet treatment rooms and Vichy showers. The new Kohler Waters Spa provides a ‘spa’ in the true meaning of the word, offering ‘Salus Per Aquum’ – ‘health
Revealed: Opening date for Scotland's first design museum, created by Kengo Kuma
by Kim Megson | 18 Jan 2018
V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum, will open to the public on Saturday 15 September 2018, it has been revealed. New images of the Kengo Kuma-designed building have been released to coincide with the announcement, as have details of the museum’s inaugural exhibitions. Standing at the centre of the £1bn (US$1.3bn, €1.1bn) transformation of the city’s waterfront, once part of the docklands, V&A Dundee has been designed to evoke the
Mecanoo selected to transform city hall into 'cultural gateway' for Perth
by Kim Megson | 24 Aug 2017
A heritage listed city hall Scotland is about to undergo major works, after local authorities in Perth selected Dutch architects Mecanoo to transform the space into a new cultural venue for the city. Perth & Kinross Council have selected Mecanoo to renovate the listed Perth City Hall, which will feature exhibition galleries, learning suites, a café and shops. According to the council, the reinvigorated city hall will create "a new
Kengo Kuma's V&A Dundee: New drone footage reveals £80m building taking shape on River Tay
by Kim Megson | 08 Jun 2017
New drone footage has today (8 June) been released showing huge cast stone panels being hung on the curving walls of Kengo Kuma’s V&A Dundee; Scotland's first design museum. In total 2,466 pieces – each weighing between 1.5 and 2.5 tonnes – are being individually fixed into place, secured by two specially designed brackets secured to the building’s reinforced concrete walls. The video shows an engineer inspecting panels fixed to
Chipperfield triumphs in competition to design 'world class' Edinburgh concert hall
by Kim Megson | 03 May 2017
David Chipperfield has overcome stiff competition to win the high-profile design competition to create a 1,000-capacity concert hall in Edinburgh. Adjaye Associates, Richard Murphy, Allies & Morrison, Barozzi Veiga and KPMB were all in contention for the commission, but the vision outlined by Chipperfield's practice was enough to sway the developers of the £45m (US$58.1m, €53.2m) venue; the city’s first new performance building in 100 years. The concert hall has
Scottish Seabird charity group to open ‘nationally significant’ visitor centre
by Alice Davis | 12 Apr 2017
The Scottish Seabird Centre has unveiled its plans for a new visitor centre at its site in North Berwick, near Edinburgh. The £5.5m proposal would continue the work of the Seabird Centre, an educational destination that enables guests to engage with and learn about wildlife. However, the charitable conservation centre, which opened in 2000, is currently struggling to keep up with visitor demand. The project, dubbed the National Marine Centre,
New film sheds light on engineering innovation behind Kengo Kuma's Dundee design museum
by Kim Megson | 20 Feb 2017
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) has released a new video exploring the architectural inspiration and complex engineering challenges facing its forthcoming branch in Dundee, Scotland. The new film features interviews with the building's architect Kengo Kuma, the executive director of Dundee City Council Mike Galloway and some of the engineers and builders charged with realising the ambitious vision for a cultural landmark capable of reigniting the city’s waterfront. They
Edinburgh council opens consultation for £40m Meadowbank redevelopment
by Matthew Campelli | 11 Nov 2016
Residents of Scottish capital city Edinburgh are being asked to have their say on an ambitious rebuild of the existing Meadowbank Stadium and Sport Centre. The City of Edinburgh Council will submit a planning application early next year for the redevelopment, which is expected to cost in the region of £40m (US$50.5m, €46.4m) and is being designed by Glasgow architects Holmes Miller. Among the proposals for the complex are: an
First gallery completed at Kengo Kuma's V&A Museum of Design Dundee
by Kim Megson | 01 Nov 2016
A major milestone in the construction of Kengo Kuma’s V&A Museum of Design Dundee in Scotland has been reached, with the completion of the upper floor revealing an extensive public area which will house galleries, learning spaces and a restaurant. At the ground floor level V&A Dundee will be formed of two separate buildings located on Dundee’s waterfront. The newly-completed second floor connects these two together, and houses many of
ZMMA win competition to create Scottish Design Galleries at V&A Dundee
by Kim Megson | 14 Oct 2016
The flagship Scottish Design Galleries within the Kengo Kuma’s new Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum of Design in Dundee will be designed by ZMMA, an international studio specialising in museums and arts projects. The galleries will exhibit V&A collections and loans from other collections in Scotland and abroad that tell the story of the country's design achievements over the last 300 years – from intricate 18th century metalwork to catwalk
Wood-burning sauna launched on the banks of Scotland's Loch Tay
by Kim Megson | 09 Sep 2016
Scotland’s first loch-side wood-burning sauna experience has opened on the shores of Loch Tay. The Hot Box has been created by architects McKenzie Strickland Associates on Taymouth Marina in the village of Kenmore. Stretching 40ft (12.19m), the sauna is designed to offer panoramic views across the loch to the adjacent hills. Guests of the sauna are encouraged to sit in the sauna, where there is a wood-burning stove, before leaping
Plans submitted for Jim Clark museum in Scotland
by Tom Anstey | 23 Aug 2016
A museum celebrating the successes of Jim Clark is on the cards after plans were unveiled by the Scottish Borders Council to celebrate the life of the two-time Formula One world champion. To be financed in-part by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) pending approval, the £1.65m (US$2.2m, €1.9m) project would see the existing Jim Clark Room in Duns expanded and redeveloped to allow a selection of cars and trophies to
Architects partner with UNESCO to develop prototype 'satellite visitor centres' for world's remotest heritage sites
by Kim Megson | 23 Aug 2016
Two architecture studios hope to show how remote heritage sites can be served by ‘satellite’ visitor centres through their own design for a tourist hub which celebrates an uninhabited Scottish archipelago from a location on a nearby island. Scottish studio Dualchas Architects and Norway’s Reiulf Ramstad Architects, who are working in the UK for the first time, have unveiled their masterplan for the St Kilda Visitor Centre. They propose the
Jestico + Whiles design bar and brewery in Scottish bank building
by Kim Megson | 13 Jul 2016
Architecture studio Jestico + Whiles have transformed a historic Glasgow bank into a new bar and brewery for food and drink group Glendola Leisure. The former Commercial Bank of Scotland, built in the 1920s, has reopened this month as The Shilling Brewery Company; a 160-seat brewpub with stipped back interior features that highlight the building’s 20ft high coffered ceilings. Fragments of the original bank – designed by the architect James
Arts event at ruined modernist church kickstarts Scotland's Festival of Architecture
by Kim Megson | 18 Mar 2016
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) will today officially launch its 2016 Festival of Architecture with Hinterland, a night-time public art event held in one of Scotland's most iconic modernist buildings. Leading public arts organisation NVA has designed the arts experience, which will see visitors walk through the ruined buildings of St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross while accompanied by monochromatic light installations and specially commissioned choral music by
London crime landmark Great Scotland Yard to become five-star hotel in £110m deal
by Jak Phillips | 27 Jul 2015
Great Scotland Yard, the famous former headquarters of London’s police force where criminals such as Jack the Ripper were investigated, is to become a five-star hotel having been bought by Indian billionaire Yusuffali Kader. As part of the £110m (US$171m, €154m) deal, developer Galliard Homes will sell the historic property to Kader’s retail, hospitality and property conglomerate Lulu Group International once it has carried out a ‘lavish’ £50m (US$78m, €70m)
Landmark concert venue opens in Scotland
by Kath Hudson | 27 Sep 2013
Described as a cross between the Royal Albert Hall and the Coliseum, Scotland’s latest entertainment venue opened its doors, in Glasgow, on 23rd September. Rod Stewart was the opening act for The Hydro, the 12,000-seater music, sport and entertainment arena which is expected to be the fifth busiest entertainment arena in the world, alongside venues such as London’s O2 Arena. Situated next to the Clyde Auditorium and SECC, the £125m
£24m leisure centre opens in Linwood, Scotland
by Jessica Tasman-Jones | 08 May 2013
Linwood's sport and community centre ON-X has officially opened following a £24m investment by Renfrewshire Council. Designed by Cr8 Architecture and built by BAM Construction, the facility includes an eight court sports hall, two squash courts, 600sq m gym, four fitness studios, and athletics track. The new centre is part of the council's £40m investment in local leisure facilities. It also features three swimming pools including a six-lane 25m competition
Work starts on Scotland's new Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre
by Pete Hayman | 03 Jul 2012
Image: Reiach and Hall led the design of the centre Scottish culture secretary Fiona Hyslop has helped mark the start of construction work on a new multi-million pound visitor centre designed to celebrate the Battle of Bannockburn. Mansell Construction Services has been appointed to deliver the new attraction near Stirling, which has been designed by a team led by Edinburgh-based architects Reiach and Hall. Sinclair Knight Merz; Turner and Townsend;
Scotland launches architecture and placemaking policy consultation
by Pete Hayman | 31 May 2012
Scottish culture secretary Fiona Hyslop has launched a consultation into a new architecture and placemaking policy, which provides "an opportunity to build a better world". Speaking at an International Design Summit at The Lighthouse, Glasgow, Hyslop said that "well-designed buildings and places have a vital role to play in Scottish society". "Our historic build environment enhances our understanding and appreciation of our surroundings and contributes to our sense of national
Kelpies contract awarded as part of Scotland's £41m Helix Project
by Pete Hayman | 31 May 2012
Image: Scott based his design on Clydesdale horses SH Structures has been appointed by the Helix Trust to build two 30m (98ft)-high stainless steel-plated horses' heads that will form part of a major £41m regeneration scheme in central Scotland. The new sculptures - The Kelpies - have been devised by Glasgow-based artist Andy Scott and will contribute to the transformation of the landscape around Falkirk and Grangemouth. In March, Dundee-based
National Museum of Scotland reopens
by Pete Hayman | 29 Jul 2011
Edinburgh's new-look National Museum of Scotland has officially reopened to the public today (29 July), following the completion of a major £47.4m refurbishment programme. National Museums Scotland (NMS) has launched 16 new galleries at the attraction, which explore sciences, humanities and world cultures and comprise more than 8,000 objects. The majority (80 per cent) of the artefacts on display for the first time in generations across 13,000sq m (139,931sq ft)
National Mining Museum Scotland opens Phase 5 restoration project
by Tom Walker | 04 May 2011
The National Mining Museum Scotland has opened its Scottish government-funded conservation project, restoring some of Scotland's most fragile industrial heritage and saving the buildings for future generations. The work has consisted of preservation of the tippler floor, picking tables, elevator shed and brick-vaulted undercroft. The conservation has been carried out by a team of architects, structural engineers, project managers and builders. An exhibition is currently running in the museum to
New national showground for Scotland
by Caroline Wilkinson | 16 Apr 2008
The Royal Highland Agricultural Society for Scotland (RHASS) is funding a delivery study, to be carried out by construction firm Mace Group, for the proposed £275m Norton Park project in Edinburgh. The project is part of the relocation of The Royal Highland Centre– Scotland’s National Showground for 150 events and the headquarters of the RHASS, which is being forced to move due the expansion of Edinburgh Airport, planned for 2013.
Historic Scotland questions Leith Docks plans
by Tom Walker | 02 Apr 2008
Heritage watchdog Historic Scotland has warned that the planned regeneration of Leith Docks could threaten Edinburgh’s historic skyline. In a letter to the city council, Historic Scotland voices its concerns over plans to include tall buildings within the mixed-use scheme. The plans – the biggest planning application ever to come before the local authority – were handed in last year and a decision is expected by the end of this
News stories: 1 - 30 of 30
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"Culture is the beating heart of this project"
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
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