The project to bring a vacant B-listed 18th century tenement on Campbeltown’s Main Street back to life has won a prestigious national award.

The sixth annual Scottish Empty Homes Conference celebrated the best of the work across Scotland to bring empty homes back into use, increasing the housing stock and boosting local areas.

The renovation of Campbeltown’s 50/52 Main Street was awarded the Outstanding Project Award at this year’s conference.

Councillor Robin Currie, policy lead for strategic housing, said: “This is fantastic news – it’s great to see the good work of officers across a number of council services, as well as our external partners MacLeod Construction Ltd. and Historic Environment Scotland, recognised in this way.

“A lot of hard work went into this project, with years of extensive negotiations with private owners and potential developers before a grant award of £450,000 could be offered to MacLeod’s to bring it back into use. There are now four occupied flats on the upper stories and one new businesse on the ground floor.”

Councillor Rory Colville, chair of the Mid-Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, added: “The council is focussed on working to grow the local economy, creating jobs and attracting people to the area. This project was a great success and complements the other exciting developments in Campbeltown like the harbour improvements and installation of new pontoons. It’s great to have the opportunity of conferences like this to showcase our work at a national level.”

Kristen Hubert, manager of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership said: “I’d like to congratulate The Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative on their award. Bringing such a prominent town centre building back from the brink of demolition is a fantastic achievement and worthy of this recognition. It’s also a fantastic advert for saving empty homes across Argyll and Bute.”

Philip Hanson, assistant depot manager at Howden’s Joinery, which sponsors the Scottish Empty Homes Champions Awards, added: “Howdens Joinery is proud to be supporting the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and Shelter Scotland, in bringing much needed housing stock back into use across Scotland. The ‘Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champion of the Year Awards’ are an important part of this fantastic project, recognising the continued hard work and dedication given by individuals and organisations across Scotland.

“Howdens are proud to be sponsoring these awards for the second year running and congratulate all the winners who thoroughly deserve the recognition, and look forward to supporting this amazing project in the future.”