North East Scotland Preservation Trust, The Sail Loft
Nominated for Category A. This award recognises volunteers and professionals, individuals and groups who have rescued a historic building.
The North East Scotland Preservation Trust has been working since 1985 to preserve the built heritage of Aberdeenshire, culminating in the £2 million project to restore the buildings at Back Green, Portsoy and convert them into the Sail Loft Bunkhouse. The Category B-listed buildings were in derelict condition and comprised a former sail making factory with a finely detailed Georgian house and two associated cottages. The project took the preservation trust eleven years from acquisition to opening as a bunkhouse. This demonstrates amazing perseverance, commitment and dedication by the volunteer directors who give their time and share their expertise freely.
