A spectacular 16th-century tower house in the Scottish Highlands has been transformed from ruins into a luxury holiday rental, earning recognition as one of Scotland's top architectural projects. Simpson & Brown architecture studio's restoration of Fairburn Tower has been shortlisted for the prestigious RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, with the winner to be announced on December 5th.
The Category A-listed Fairburn Tower represents a remarkable example of historic preservation meeting modern functionality. The fortified structure, which had fallen into complete disrepair and became ruins around 1750, has been meticulously revived through sustainable retrofit approaches that honor its Scottish Renaissance architecture while creating a viable commercial property.
Project architect Julie Barklie emphasized the critical importance of saving such historically significant structures. "Unfortunately, the tower eventually became a ruin in about the 1750s, but regardless of how crumbly it seemed, it had that potential [and] that sense of history and needing to be saved," Barklie explained. Her commentary highlights the delicate balance required in historic preservation projects of this magnitude.
The restoration project successfully addresses both practical engineering challenges and commercial viability. "On the one hand, you have the practical side that it stays up, but at the same time, it's been adapted to provide a viable, rented property that is popular to visit [and] that we can maintain easily in future generations," Barklie continued, describing the dual objectives that guided the restoration process.
The project's recognition comes as part of a collaborative video series published by Dezeen in partnership with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) to showcase the annual award's 2025 shortlist. The film, produced by Stephenson, provides viewers with an intimate look at how the historic tower was brought back to life through careful architectural intervention.
This year's Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award features a diverse four-project shortlist that "celebrates architecture's place alongside other disciplines." Competing alongside Fairburn Tower are three other exceptional projects: Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge by Moxon Architects, The Nucleus Building by Sheppard Robson, and Union Terrace Gardens by Stallan-Brand Architecture & Design LDA Design.
The shortlist represents a wide range of architectural achievement, including a public realm project, rural infrastructure development, and educational building design. The annual award specifically highlights projects by Scottish architects, recognizing excellence in design and the profession's contribution to Scotland's built environment.
Fairburn Tower's transformation demonstrates how historic preservation can create sustainable economic opportunities while protecting cultural heritage. The project serves as a model for how centuries-old structures can be adapted for contemporary use without compromising their historical integrity, ensuring their survival for future generations while generating revenue through heritage tourism.
