A listed building is a building, object or structure that has been judged to be of national historical or architectural importance. Within Aberdeenshire there are approximately 3500 listed structures.
Conservation Areas "are areas of special architectural or historical interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance" s.61 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.
Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes provide Scotland with valuable assets at National, Regional and Local level therefore recognition and understanding must be given to them in their own right.
The Aberdeenshire Design Awards is a competitive biennial event that seeks to recognise the very best in environmental design constructed within Aberdeenshire over the past 2-5 years.