A self-build Highland holiday home makes the most of natural materials

Fancy a trip to the ‘Jewel of the Highlands’? If so, Baillie Baillie Architects’ new self-build holiday let may be the place to lay your head. The practice’s contemporary take on a traditional Scottish cottage embraces natural materials, local craftsmanship, sustainable design and makes the most of a tight 38m² internal area. We spoke to Colin Baillie about the studio’s inspiration, material choices and first experience of self-build.

Set the scene for us – how did the project come about?

Getting more hands on with making our own projects has always been something that’s interested us and is one of the reasons we founded Baillie Baillie Architects.

In 2021 we relocated from Glasgow to Plockton, in the Scottish Highlands, and the opportunity arose to buy a small plot of land in the village. We secured planning permission for a family home for ourselves, with a holiday let on the same plot that became Iorram.

Using this small project as a starting point made sense and we also liked the idea of being able to share what we do with a wider group of people than our private clients – using the house to communicate the value of Scottish craftsmanship, and considered design. 

In what ways did you draw from traditional local cottages, and are there any other influences?

Traditional vernacular buildings are an expression of how they are constructed, and the materials available locally. We were conscious that we didn’t want to force a connection to local architectural tradition. Instead, we looked for a contemporary method of construction that would resonate with how traditional buildings are made. We feel that gives the connection authenticity.

Tell us about your approach to materials inside and out?

We enjoy using timber that’s not necessarily highly refined and carefully selected for its perfection. We used locally grown timber in a way that’s honest and matter of fact – imperfections and all.

We used natural materials in the bones of the building, not just for surfaces. The clay block construction is inherently simple, containing no plastics, membranes, or cavities. There’s lime harling on the outside, and clay plaster on the inside, and along with Douglas fir, we wanted to keep the palette calm and restrained.

How did you make the most of the modest floor plan?

Using volume and contrasting proportion between spaces helps to create a sense of generosity in the compact plan. Stepping into the tall living room volume from the more compressed entry space accentuates the difference between the two. The bathroom has a small footprint, but we used a similar device, creating a light-well over the bath to give the sense that the space continues upwards. 

Why did you choose to undertake a self-build and what were the opportunities and difficulties?

There’s a degree of freedom that comes with acting as your own client. We wanted to be able to explore materials, sourcing options for things like local timber, and to gain experience in managing that process ourselves. This was our first self-built project, but we definitely saw it as a learning opportunity, to inform more hands-on projects in the future. 

Tell us a bit about your main collaborators?

We wanted to work with local trades and craftspeople, and we were conscious that some of the materials and details we were asking them to work with were new to them. It was an enjoyable process though, and the feedback was that working with natural materials was a very welcome change. We were able to be on site a lot of the time, including hands-on labour for a number of elements of the project. A local carpenter, Chris Richards, did a fantastic job of turning a pile of Douglas fir offcuts into traditionally made mortice and tenon doors, as well as the kitchen, which was made as one single unit, like a piece of furniture. 

Did you encounter any issues with planning permission?

The site is in a conservation area, and on a somewhat challenging piece of land. We put together a detailed analysis of the surrounding context in support of the application, and Highland Council’s planning department and conservation officers were ultimately very supportive.

What is your favourite feature of the project?

I love the chunky column and beam that frames the kitchen area. There’s a heft to the exposed structure, and the column feels invited into conversation with how the space is used. I like it particularly because we originally planned for a solid partition to support the beam, and only noticed on site how much more open and significant it would feel as an expressed column, containing a little shelf that defines the timber splashback height. We had to phone up the sawmill and ask them to mill it for us at the last minute. I like the contingency of making calls on site, but I also now look for these moments with projects on the drawing board: opportunities for small adjustments that add a lot.

Are there any lessons which could be applied elsewhere?

We learned a lot from designing and building ourselves, and we’ve already been applying knowledge gained to all of the projects we’re working on as a practice. It’s one thing to draw a detail and pass it on to someone else to build, but having to really think about the practicality, sequencing, and logistics involved in each junction or detail has been interesting. We want to make buildings that are crafted and refined, but fundamentally lean and economical, and a detailed understanding of construction and craftsmanship is essential for this.

Iorram is available to book through Airbnb.

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Key data:

Total contract cost £225,000
Area 38m²