It's not rubbish.. Pope's loo sits nicely in £1m eco-house

Published on Friday 5 September 2008 09:54

A NEW £1 million eco-house has been built using materials that were destined for the rubbish dump – including a toilet for Pope John Paul II.

The environmentally-friendly property has been built using discarded materials from an old nun's chapel, a disused police station and a neglected tollhouse. It also incorporates old canal lock gates and surplus insulation from a nearby supermarket.

Situated in the middle of a two-and-a-half acre garden just outside Rosewell, Midlothian, the self-built Orchard House has taken more than five years to complete. Archie Hunter, 56, and his wife Anne began collecting materials for the house in 2000, and as their dream home began to take shape the couple were forced to live in a caravan for over a year.

Their home's eco-credentials have resulted in various green tourism awards.

Former nunnery Rosewell Chapel provided most of the salvaged material – including the front door and a marble floor cut from the steps to a church altar.

Orchard House can be visited on September 13, when it is among 26 buildings taking part in Midlothian Doors Open Day.