An Argyll and Bute Council project to save an historic Campbeltown tenement from the brink of demolition has received a UK National Empty Homes Award for the work.

The block at the corner of 50/52 Main Street and 2 Cross Street is now four flats and two commercial units but had been vacant for so long it was in danger of falling into the street.

The Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative worked with MacLeod Construction and Historic Environment Scotland to coordinate the sale and renovation.

The award for Best Before and After photographs was handed over by Shaheena Din, national manager of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, who picked up the award at a ceremony in Birmingham on behalf of the recipients.

Fergus Murray, Argyll and Bute Council’s head of economic development, said: “As a Council, we are focused on boosting the local economy, creating jobs and attracting people to live and work in Argyll and Bute. This project has been a great success and absolutely complements the developments in Campbeltown town centre. “

Ms Din said: “It was an honour to pick up this award on behalf of the group behind the Campbeltown project and to hand it over to the people who earned it.

“This project also won the Outstanding Project category at the Scottish Empty Homes Conference last year and was a worthy recipient given the extent of the work required and the determination it took to get so many different people and organisations working together.”