A historic building in Perth has been recognised by a prominent body.
The Fair Maid’s House has won the Perth Civic Trust Restoration and Renovation Award 2011.
The biannual Perth Civic Trust Award was initiated in order to show the Trust’s recognition and appreciation of outstanding contributions to Perth’s amenities, particularly with regard to environmental design.
This year, the award is for any scheme of restoration or renovation completed since March 2007. The Fair Maid’s House dates to around 1475 and is regarded as the oldest secular building in Perth.
The house is most notably linked to Catherine Glover, the fictitious heroine of Sir Walter Scott’s classic novel the Fair Maid of Perth (1828). Provost John Hulbert said he was “delighted” that Perth Civic Trust has been the first organisation to make an award to the Fair Maid’s House.
“I am sure there will be others, and it is right that our local body should point the way,” he said. “Perth and Kinross Council has been a keen supporter and backer of the refurbishment of the Fair Maid’s House, and in accepting this award I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of everyone who made it possible.
“The project has secured the future of this truly historic Perth building. I am delighted that the building is now the HQ for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.”
In addition, the AK Bell Library in Perth was given Perth Civic Trust’s Highly Commended award for its iron railings. This was accepted by Councillor John Kellas, Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure convener.
He said, “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of the council. The reinstatement of the AK Bell Library railings has hugely enhanced the building, and the surrounding environment. This is part of bigger proposal to reinstatement railing boundaries at key locations around Perth city centre.”