A Largs man who played a leading role in modernising a much loved historic area of Edinburgh has been recognised with his team in a prestigious UK architecture award.

Guy Morgan is a director of Morgan McDonald - an Edinburgh based architecture firm set up in 1995 - which was assigned with the task of transforming the run-down Advocates Close area, some of which had been closed off to the public.

Advocate’s Close has now claimed the UK’s most valuable architectural prize – the Andrew Doolan Prize – and the RIAS Gold Medal for Best Building in Scotland at a prestigious ceremony held in the capital.

Guy, 47, is a former Largs Academy pupil, and once won the junior club champion at Largs Golf Club, and proud mum Googie Smeaton lives in the town.

The redevelopment of 11 listed buildings and reinvigoration of the public realm in Edinburgh’s Old Town saw off 12 other shortlisted projects to scoop the award.

On presenting the prize, MSP Fiona Hyslop commented that “Advocate’s Close exemplifies the highest standards of place-making providing a vibrant new quarter in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and is a worthy winner of this year’s RIAS Andrew Doolan award”, while RIAS President Iain Connelly commented “The complexity of what has been delivered and the architectural self-assurance with which it is achieved makes this an extraordinary, truly special and very deserving winner.”

The judges citation stated “The intricacy of the site acquisition process and the complexity of the three dimensional diagram that bridges two closes between the High Street, Cockburn Street and Market Street, with a fall of almost nine storeys from top to bottom, is remarkable. However it is the care and deliberation with which contemporary and historic have been brought together that is most deserving of praise.”

Guy said: "The award caps an incredible year for both the project and the practice which has received a number of awards and commendations over the course of 2014."

Guy now lives in Edinburgh with his wife Lisa, who joined the firm in 2001, and is a director.

As part of the award-winning Advocate’s Close redevelopment, 7,500 sqft of contemporary office space was created in three locations within the development.

Chris Stewart Group relocated in October 2013 to new headquarters at The Tower at 7 Advocate’s Close, with the development’s architect Morgan McDonnell Architecture moving into their new offices at 5 Advocate’s Close shortly thereafter.