The flagship of Dundee’s £1 billion waterfront regeneration won the Greatest Contribution to Scotland award at last week’s ceremony.

Infrastructure awards were picked up by the Stirling-Dunblane-Alloa Rail Electrification project (Infrastructure Award for Rail) and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (Infrastructure Award for Roads). And it’s a double win for Dundee with the mixed-use redevelopment of Dundee Station winning the Building Award.

Launched this year, the new Scottish Civil Engineering Awards are jointly organised by CECA Scotland and ICE Scotland. The Awards recognise excellence, ingenuity and innovation in civil engineering and celebrate its contribution to our quality of life and to community well-being.

The Awards attracted an impressive 17 project entries from across Scotland, including submissions for marine works, electricity substations, bridges, museums, motorways, railways and public spaces.

The V&A describes itself as the “world’s leading museum of art and design” and has been at the centre of Dundee City Council’s ambitious regeneration programme to transform the area into a world-leading destination for residents, visitors and business. The council’s vision from the outset was to create a cutting edge and contemporary building, but which would also sit harmoniously in the surrounding landscape as well as alongside the existing Discovery Point attraction, creating harmonious relationship between the ship, the museum and the River Tay.

The Awards judging panel, which is made up of a cross-section of industry experts, concluded that the V&A is “without doubt a simply stunning example of design and engineering at its best and most innovative”.

The Sustainability and Resilience award went to Stronelairg and Melgarve Substations, a project which has played a key part in delivering green energy within a very challenging environment and which is also in the running for the 2019 ICE People’s Choice Award.

The Innovation award went to Lochmaddy Water Treatment Works, a project which comprehensively upgraded the drinking water network on the Isle of North Uist and which is the largest off-site built modular water treatment works to be delivered anywhere in the UK.

The Community award went to the Perth Transport Futures Project, the Heritage and Restoration Award to the Fort Augustus and Kytra Lock Replacement, on the Caledonian Canal and the Maintenance and Innovation Award went to Roundknowe Carbon Fibre Wrap, a project which rehabilitates ground sewers and pipe bridges which would otherwise have been near the end of their design life.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony at the Doubletree by Hilton North Queensferry Hotel.

 Convenor of the judging panel, Ainslie McLaughlin, said: “Today’s awards are a unique opportunity to recognise Scottish civil engineering at its best and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the profession.

“We were delighted to receive many entries for these new Awards – every project shortlisted has made a tremendous impact not just to Scotland’s economy, but to our people, our environment and to community well-being.”

Hannah Smith, regional director of ICE Scotland, said: “The calibre of both entrants and winners for these awards is something we should all be proud of. Projects up and down the country and across a variety of disciplines have showcased just how much the public benefit from the work of civil engineers. The V&A Dundee is a case in point. The quality of our built environment has a huge impact on our day to day lives.

“Dundee residents and visitors alike have seen new life breathed into the waterfront spearheaded by this innovative project showcasing the best of what Scottish Civil Engineering has to offer.”

Grahame Barn, chief executive of CECA Scotland, said: “Civil engineers shape the world around us and I was absolutely delighted to see the hard work, ingenuity and expertise of Scotland’s civils contractors recognised today.

“I hope today’s event will show how civil engineering can transform Scotland, inspire the next generation to consider careers in the sector and encourage both the Scottish and UK Government’s to put infrastructure first.”