Labour of love

As we come to the end of a what has been an extensive renovation of a loch-side Highland estate we thought it would be worth casting a light on the development of an unassuming, derelict steading which, initially intended to be merely made secure and watertight - was reappraised by the client and architects and went on to embody the entire estate project.

Tasked by the client to make this characterful structure secure and watertight, as the project evolved we transformed this vast derelict steading into a faithfully restored and reimagined complex multifunctional space at the heart of the estate. Marrying traditional and modern methods, the Kishorn team took a condemned building and restored and repurposed it into the perfect showcase for the incredible attention to detail, craftsmanship, integrity and array of reclaimed, local - and state of the art materials and technology - that have characterised this castle and estate renovation.

To secure the structure for centuries to come, Kishorn Heritage’s multidisciplinary team worked fastidiously to restore the original stonework and install a new roof. To maintain the authenticity of the steading, original ceiling ties on the roof were restored while original timber doors, rough plaster walls and exposed stonework were lovingly preserved in all their magnificence. An existing sandstone floor was painstakingly lifted, restored and replaced as it had been laid over 100 years earlier.

Steeped in original character, the completed steading comprises atmospheric event spaces - such as private dining rooms, malt whisky tasting snugs, Douglas fir-clad reception rooms and oak-floored dancehall with grand timber entrance staircase. Yet, housing master stables, offices, commercial kitchens and laundry (with locally-made oak cabinetry), this multifunctional Ptolemy Dean Architects-designed space is one for the 21st century.

Modern fire partitions hide behind rustic walls, timber stairways have steel at their core, there are Charvet and Laurence Macintosh kitchens with hand-finished cabinetry from local carpenters and the building has underfloor heating throughout powered by the estate biomass plant.

The level of care, consideration and dedication that went into reinstating this building is impressive. It feels authentic, atmospheric and that it belongs. This was a labour of love - a joy to create - and it’s all the better for it.