Four architects have been handed the daunting task of making some of the Cairngorms’ most stunning landscapes even more striking as part of a £1million project.
The Scottish Scenic Routes scheme – inspired by the success of a similar initiative in Norway – aims to enhance the value of visiting the nation’s beauty spots by creating modern installations.
After whittling down the entries through two stages of judging, the ideas for Tomintoul and Glenshee’s notorious Devil’s Elbow emerged as the winners.
Angus Ritchie and Daniel Tyler will now create a roofless stone observation hut on the A939 at Tomintoul, named A Language of Stone.
And at the Devil’s Elbow, Daniel Smith and Philip Zoechbauer will build their “connecting contours” walkway and seated viewing area.
Brian Wood, deputy convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority board, said he was looking forward to seeing the finished creations, which he hopes will attract more people to the area.
He said: “I am really pleased that the competition has produced two very creative designs for sites in Glenshee and near Tomintoul.
“Once constructed these, together with the installation at Corgaff scheduled to be in place in November, will give us an outstanding scenic route along the eastern side of the Cairngorms National Park, from Glenshee to Grantown.
“This will encourage more people to experience and enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of the Cairngorms.”
The winners will also each receive a prize of £5,000 and a mentoring package from a Cairngorms National Park Authority design team and the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre.
Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scenic Routes brings together Scotland’s world-renowned landscape with emerging design talent.
“Previous phases of this initiative have delivered projects with real impact and I have no doubt that this phase will produce the exceptional quality that Scotland’s landscape deserves.”
The Moray MP added: “I look forward to visiting the completed projects in spring 2016, which will be an excellent showcase for Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.”