Family firm driven by community is nation’s top small housebuilder

Fotheringham Homes has been crowned Scotland’s small housebuilder of the year. The family-owned business, based in Gourdon, also picked up the show home of the year and community contribution awards.

Founded in 2006, it is run by managing director Michael Fotheringham alongside his father, Allan Sr, and brother Allan.

Speaking about the wins at the 17 th Annual Scottish Home Awards, Michael said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win.

“We were just honoured to be shortlisted for four awards, but to walk away with three is a truly astonishing achievement.”

The housebuilder’s commitment to giving back to local people was recognised with the community contribution award.

This was for their recent renovation of Johnshaven Village Hall, which the judges described as “a hugely transformational project which has had a lasting impact on the area”.

The newly transformed village hall was reopened in September last year after Fotheringham Homes built a new annexe with a flexible multipurpose room. The company also transformed the toilets and entrance area in four months to ensure the facilities were fully accessible to those with disabilities or reduced mobility.

Fotheringham Homes was commended for executing the project to the highest standards and for using local suppliers, as well as being highly praised for how closely they worked with the community.

Karelia Wright, chairwoman of the Johnshaven Hall Committee, said: “The experience of working with Fotheringham Homes was extremely positive, and the response from people seeing the new facilities for the first time has been incredible.”

Fotheringham Homes also achieved success with its Cedar showhome, a three-bedroom family property, winning show home of the year.

Situated at a sold-out Johnshaven development, The Beaches, the showhome was designed in collaboration with Aberdeenshire-based interior designers The Inside Story and was opened in September 2023.

The Cedar showhome will showcase future Fotheringham Homes developments, which include another coastal development, Linton Mews in Gourdon, as well as Garvocklea in Laurencekirk and Brownmuir in Fordoun.

Other winners included Inverness-based Robertson Homes, named housebuilder of the year (more than 100 units) and house of the year for its Jacobson Garden Room design.

Meanwhile, S1 Developments won housing development of the year (small, private sale) for its St Andrews West project.

HAT-TRICK: Project manager Tracey Clark and office manager Gillian Gibson with director Allan Fotheringham Sr and his wife Margaret.