People and projects in the north and north-east building industry scooped some of the top honours at a prestigious industry awards ceremony in Edinburgh last night.
Scottish winners across the 13 categories of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Awards will now go on to the UK finals in September.
Aberdeen-based Jemma Sykes was crowned Scotland’s best apprentice, having previously won the Union of Construction Allied Trades & Technicians Shield and finished in the top 10 of the Screwfix Apprentice finals.
She is in her third year of a carpentry and joinery apprenticeship, with Barratt Developments, while also attending North East of Scotland College.
Her award was won in recognition of both her practical skills and also her commitment to her own career and the wider industry.
As well as excelling in a demanding training programme, Ms Sykes is involved in outreach programmes to local schools, attending career days and promoting the apprenticeship programme.
Lerwick-based DITT Construction won the gong for best local authority/public sector project in recognition of its work on the new £6 million Eric Gray @Seafield centre in Shetland. It is home to a range of specialist support services for adults with learning disabilities, autistic spectrum disorders and complex needs.
Kingussie firm Spey Building and Joinery came away with the prize for best new home, with its work at Lochside House in the West Highlands having previously helped the property win the Royal Institute of British Architects’ house of the year title for 2018.
The remote, and to this day secret, location of Lochside House, which was featured in Channel 4 TV series Grand Designs, made the building project technically and logistically challenging.
David MacGillivray from Forres was named the most “heavenly” builder in Scotland, while also picking up the prize for best low carbon project north of the border.
FMB Scotland director Gordon Nelson said: “The heavenly builder award gives clients the opportunity to thank their builder for going above and beyond the call of duty to complete the job and turn a potentially stressful experience into an enjoyable one.
“Time and time again we have been impressed with just how far these builders will go to ensure their client is happy.”
FMB is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry representing thousands of firms in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.