Scandi style:Three of the best timber-clad homes for sale in Scotland now

Stylish larch cladding or a bespoke log house, timber homes have a natural beauty, finds Kirsty McLuckie

It may not have been a wise choice of building material for the second of the three little pigs, but building a house of wood can make a durable, environmentally-friendly, warm and beautiful home.

While they have always been popular in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, increasingly, Scottish builders – particularly those who are self building – are incorporating timber designs to create modern, prestigious and unique properties.

Part of it is the urge for many to live a greener life and to live in high-quality and healthy houses.

Wood is a sturdy and reliable building material so an adequately constructed and looked after wooden house can stand for a very long time.

And buildings made from logs or timber have further benefits such as noise reduction, low heating and cooling costs, high building standards and all-round energy efficiency.

An added bonus is the evocative scent of sun-warmed oak or pine that is ever present.

Fans of wood could have found their perfect home in Sunnyside Lodge.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

Set among 4,500 trees spread across six acres of woodland, the house, near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire is clad in cedar wood, as is a treehouse, barbecue hut, summer house and outdoor bar area. It has high insulation values and heat retention.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

The H-shaped house has five bedrooms and three bathrooms in one wing, a vast central sitting room leading to a dining kitchen with seating area, a drawing room and a sun room.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

The woodland surrounding the house, which includes silver birch, Scots pine and chestnut trees, has been laid out with multiple paths leading through, some lit with fairy lights.

Picture: Strutt and Parker

Definitely a house designed for entertaining, Sunnyside also has a practical side, with a detached three-car garage and various outbuildings.

Permission is in place for a loft conversion, should the next owner choose to extend.

Picture: McCrae & McCrae

The Log House, by Eastfield Farm, Caldercruix, is a bespoke, hand-scribed log building which has been constructed using wood from all over the world.

Included in the build is 150-year-old Siberian spruce; larch and Douglas fir from Fife, and oak and Scots pine from Falkirk.

There are pitch pine beams sourced from Blackpool’s Big Dipper, plus American heartwood and eucalyptus.

Picture: McCrae & McCrae

The wood is very present on the inside of the house as well as the exterior, with huge beams exposed on the floor, walls and underside of the roof.

The sheer level of the quality craftsmanship is evident in every detail, in the main house, which has four bedrooms and its wooden cottage, which has two.

The Log House comes with five acres of land and overlooks the Hillend reservoir in a very quiet setting.

Picture: Tepilo.com

Southhill Steadings, Bathgate, is a more modest offering.

The three-bedroomed semi-detached steading conversion is clad in larch and has outstanding panoramic views, hot water solar panels, hardwood floors and windows.

There is a larch-clad workshop, which matches the house, available to purchase too.

At a glance

Picture: Strutt and Parker

Where is it: Sunnyside Lodge, Greeness, Cuminestown, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.What is it: A modern wooden-clad home with five bedrooms, three bathrooms and three reception rooms including a sitting room, family room and sun room, plus a large dining kitchen.Good points: Definitely built for entertaining, the house is centred around a decked courtyard and has a barbecue hut, an outdoor bar, a hot tub and gym, a summer house and a spectacular treehouse on steel stilts. Set in its own grounds of six acres, with woodland, paths and a paddock plus lawns and garden, the location is very private and secure. There is planning permission in place for a loft extension.Bad points: Not sure how you would persuade guests to leave after a party.Price: Offers over £570,000.Contact: Strutt & Parker on 01330 824888.

Picture: Tepilo.com

Where is it: Southhill Steadings, Bathgate, West Lothian.What is it: A semi-detached three-bedroomed steading conversion with larch cladding and hardwood floors and windows.Good points: The house is a stylish conversion with the upper floor taken up by a luxurious master suite with dressing room, bathroom and study area.Bad points: Part of a development.Price: Fixed at £269,500.Contact: Tepilo.com

Picture: McCrae & McCrae

Where is it: The Log House, by Eastfield Farm, Caldercruix, North Lanarkshire.What is it: A hand-scribed four-bedroomed log house and a log cottage, which has two bedrooms, linked by a central carport, plus five acres of grounds.Good points: Beautiful and unique home in a quiet rural setting, overlooking a reservoir. Energy efficient with a luxury finish.Bad points: Splinters?Price: Offers over £510,000.Contact: McCrae & McCrae on 01383 722454.