The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has revealed the four projects shortlisted for the 2025 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, Scotland's most prestigious annual architecture prize.

The award celebrates projects that demonstrate architectural excellence, sustainability, and usability.

The shortlisted projects are:

• Fairburn Tower, Muir of Ord (Simpson & Brown): The 16th-century Category A-listed tower has been saved from the Buildings at Risk Register and transformed into a holiday let, balancing historic restoration with a creative, sustainable retrofit.

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• Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge, Aberdeenshire (Moxon Architects): This new bridge provides a diversion for traffic, preserving the historic Gairnshiel Bridge for pedestrian use. The design uses locally sourced recycled granite and weathering steel.

• The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh (Sheppard Robson): This new education building is designed to be a central meeting place for students and staff, offering a variety of spaces for different ways of studying and teaching. It is built to adapt to future ways of working and teaching.

• Union Terrace Gardens, Aberdeen (Stallan-Brand Architecture + Design & LDA Design): This public-realm regeneration project has revived a key public space in the city. The project includes three new pavilions and the sensitive restoration of historic features.

The shortlist was chosen from the winners of the 2025 RIAS Awards. The jury, chaired by architect Mary Duggan, will now visit each of the shortlisted projects before announcing the winner in December.