Gatehouse, by special guest Christopher Clayton Davis

To celebrate one year since handing over this spectacular corner of a prestigious estate, we are honoured to host this journal entry written by the talented Christopher Clayton Davis, Architect of Ptolemy Dean Architects, explaining the history, inspiration and details of the Gatehouse concept. A truly unique experience for all involved, Christopher was part of the team responsible for the design of the house which was one of the finishing touches of an extensive restoration/renovation of a loch-side Highland castle.

It’s fair to say that the construction of a new Gatehouse is an uncommon architectural commission in the 21st century, but that’s what makes the works to this Highland Estate all the more special. Over the past year or so, passers-by will have witnessed a new turreted mass rising from the ground. When an unbuilt design from the 1860s was unearthed in the Estate archives, the idea spawned. The design, extrapolated from this Victorian proposal, is rooted in its cultural setting and encompasses the essence of inherited baronial character. Built with traditional crafts but to rigorous modern standards, the chances are most people would not realise this new Gatehouse is new at all – and for us, this is the greatest compliment that can be paid.

Gate lodges are such a ubiquitous feature of rural country estates, that little introduction is needed. In Scotland, the very words conjure images of lofty turrets and crowstepped gables standing proudly against the highway, jealously guarding, and seductively beckoning all at once. Historically, the passing public might only ever steal a glimpse of the secret world beyond, but gatehouses were designed to offer an architectural foretaste for the lucky few who were invited over the threshold.

Typically, these buildings have enjoyed a tradition of architectural whimsy, often presenting themselves as a sister of the main house behind, mirroring the language, but reduced in scale. Despite this playfulness, the need for a small building at the entrance to rural demesnes traces its history to the functional requirement for security. In the political instability omnipresent during the Middle Ages, where the rural aristocracy would take refuge in their fortified manors, the need to physically control the entrance was a pressing concern at the forefront of the nobleman’s mind.

As time drew on and the threats abated - when defending family and property from your neighbour’s army became less of a problem than letting in the postman - defensive design diminished in favour of aesthetic considerations, and the structures became more of a picturesque feature in the landscape, grandly demarking the boundary of the estate and providing a sense of arrival to visitors.

In fact, the lodge would often form the first element in a very carefully choreographed approach ending with the big reveal of the main house, where further aesthetic devices such as glimpse views, clever planting, terrain manipulation and perspective tricks might be subtly engineered into the design. With their mature trees and sweeping paths, these driveways may appear natural today, but entire landscapes were often completely reconfigured to curate what visitors perceived along their journey, maximising the impression and awe in high-ranking guests.

The ‘Golden Age’ of country estate building was undoubtedly in the 19th century when great wealth and transport improvements fuelled the fashionable development of rural properties. Interestingly, the architecture of new lodges continued to reference the memory of medieval defensiveness, even when the violent troubles had long since passed. This is especially true in the romantic baronial world of the Highlands.

Fortunately for us, the once foreboding gates have been thrown wide open. With many of the remaining private estates now happily open to the public, more and more people can enjoy the complete architectural ensemble as it was meant to be seen. Just remember, drive slowly so you can take it all in, or walk if you can – they were meant to be seen at trotting pace!"