Dramatic transformation sees Cairngorms property dazzle in Highlands landscape

Locally sourced stone and slate have been incorporated into an eye-catching refurbished property nestled in the Cairngorms National Park – with spectacular results and dazzling views.
The home's impressive transformation will allow its large family to curl up and enjoy jawdropping views all year roundThe home's impressive transformation will allow its large family to curl up and enjoy jawdropping views all year round
The home's impressive transformation will allow its large family to curl up and enjoy jawdropping views all year round

The home in Rothiemurchus has benefitted from a sleek and sustainable extension led by Kate and Andrew Brown of Brown & Brown Architects – a small architectural firm recognised for its modern, cutting edge designs.

Tasked with a brief from their client to create a home that could be enjoyed by a large family and visitors – with wide, open communal spaces and guest bedrooms to provide for a range of ages and needs – the firm set about extending the property by recycling materials previously used for an adjacent steading.

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While the brief originally looked to incorporate a small, wooden barn into the overall family home, Brown & Brown chose to deconstruct the steading in order to form a new structure which could connect the traditional and modern elements of Lower Tullochgrue.

Against the backdrop of the snowy Cairngorms, Lower Tullochgrue presents a jawdropping sight with its modern stone, slate and steel structure.Against the backdrop of the snowy Cairngorms, Lower Tullochgrue presents a jawdropping sight with its modern stone, slate and steel structure.
Against the backdrop of the snowy Cairngorms, Lower Tullochgrue presents a jawdropping sight with its modern stone, slate and steel structure.

Suspended on a stone plinth supported by a strong pillar to form an extension to the traditional family home, a light timber and glass structure was erected so as to extend a new living space which cantilevers over the driveway.

Brown & Brown brought the dramatic building to life with its body jutting out into the landscape, with huge windows and cosy interiors providing the perfect space to take in the Scottish scenery with friends and family.

The firm sourced local natural stone and slate, Siberian Larch and blackened stainless steel to create the sleek, minimalistic design contrasting with the home’s green and leafy surroundings in the heart of the Cairngorms, with heating provided by a cascade air-source heat pump system to offer a more sustainable, partitioned approach to keeping warm in the home’s chilly Highlands setting.

Towering across three levels differing in weight, material and texture, glimpses of the home’s interior show Lower Tullochgrue to present a heightened sense of being suspended and immersed in the natural landscape; rooting the home in nature while elevating its structure above it.

The extension sees the new living space dramatically cantilever over the driveway and out into surrounding treesThe extension sees the new living space dramatically cantilever over the driveway and out into surrounding trees
The extension sees the new living space dramatically cantilever over the driveway and out into surrounding trees

Bedroom windows are seen to provide stunning views out over the surrounding hills, while dining and living areas likewise offer sprawling views out over the Spey Valley.

Clients played an active role in the process, particularly in the design and deliver stages by collaborating with the Brown & Brown team to ensure that the site would be the ideal fit and feel for the whole family. The outcome is a stylish exterior which provides plenty of living space, comfort and tranquility indoors with easily accessible accommodation for elderly visitors and relatives, as well as for the whole extended family.

To see the property in full, check out Brown & Brown’s ‘Wilding Film’: https://vimeo.com/513332372

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You can also find out more about the firm at their website here.

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