The Eskdale Foundation, which led the project, was announced as winner of the Town Centre Living Award at the Scotland Loves Local Awards yesterday.
Their success came after judges heard of the hard work and determination of the organisation to bring the building back into use and create good-quality affordable homes.
After being given the chance to buy the Buccleuch Square site – which had lain empty for 12 years – for just £1, the Foundation spearheaded a mission to not just reinvigorate the former station look of the building, but create four new town centre homes.
That work, over a number of years, included raising £600,000 to turn the ambition into reality.
Elsewhere in Dumfries and Galloway, The Institute of Local Television in Sanquhar was a runner-up in the Creative Town Category.
Its nomination highlighted how artistic creativity has triggered community regeneration, with work including the transformation of the town’s former lemonade factory into a gallery, the conversion of an abandoned abattoir into a Museum of Model Art, the establishment of Sanquhar Arts Festival, creation of a cultural quarter and the development of arts and cultural tourism.
Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards recognised and rewarded remarkable work taking place to transform communities and make them better places to live.
STP chair Professor Leigh Sparks said: “You cannot fail but to be both humbled and energised by the fantastic work that all of our nominees are doing to create a fairer, stronger, more sustainable future where local life is the heartbeat of Scotland.
“They go above and beyond, day in, day out to help create communities which we will all be the better for and deserve this rich recognition. My congratulations go to all of our finalists.”
For more information about the awards and the wider Scotland Loves Local campaign, go to www.lovelocal.scot.
