Dunfermline's new state of the art library has been named the best building in Scotland.

Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries was awarded the coveted Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland's Andrew Doolan prize from a shortlist of 12 projects on Tuesday.

The multi-million-pound expansion of the world's first Carnegie library, houses new exhibition spaces, research facilities, a children's library, a cafe and a landscaped garden.

Local MP, Douglas Chapman, said: "This is another prestigious award for our new "WOW” factor, library and galleries.

“I know how popular the building is for local people and visitors but to scoop awards against really stiff competition from other well designed buildings from across Scotland is great for Dunfermline and the staff from the Fife Cultural Trust."

The original library opened in 1883 but was closed in 2014 to build the new extension.

The project took around 12 years to bring into fruition and visitors first took in its sights when it was reopened in May this year.

Edinburgh based Richard Murphy Architects, which designed the £12.4 million transformation on behalf on Fife Council, received £25,000 for their achievements.

The building had stiff competition from a range of building types, including the National Theatre of Scotland's new headquarters in Glasgow.

In their comments, the judging panel said: "In 2007 Richard Murphy Architects won a competition for a major new cultural hub in Dunfermline's historic centre.

"The new building is organised along a top-lit internal street, criss-crossed by bridges.

"External materials used are sandstone, oak and Corten steel, acknowledging the town's industrial heritage and the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, after who the building is named.

"The circulation 'architectural promenade' offers key views of significant historic buildings, culminating in a cube window framing views of the Abbey."