Mar Lodge

Mar Lodge is a highland estate in western Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which has been owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland since 1995. Its principal building, Mar Lodge, is about 4 miles west of the village of Braemar. Part of The trust's Connoisseurs' Collection, the Lodge contains 5 luxurious Adam Revival-style apartments offering self-catering accommodation for up to 33 guests. Set amid magnificent Scottish countryside, in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Mar Lodge Estate is surrounded by ancient forests, rolling glens, wild rivers and rugged peaks.

Originally built as a Victorian hunting lodge for the Duke and Duchess of Fife in 1895, Mar Lodge is an idyllic setting for Highland weddings and an exclusive venue for corporate events, family gatherings and private parties.

Our studio has a strong handmade ethic. We love how hand made makes interiors feel, and the importance of using our hands to make whilst nurturing artisanal skills. Through the Victorian shadow puppet drapes in the bedroom, to the Thistle curtains in the dining area, made from the leftover pieces of fabric and recycled blouse sleeves we thought about every detail and material choice. The furniture is made chemical free using wool felt, natural rubber and coir.

Made in a traditional sustainable way to last generations. The mattresses are made with cashmere by the Blind Society. Hand painted sheep dance around the WC, heralded along by an old trumpet. Hand painted curtains bring new life to an old splashback. We hand painted an old cabinet which houses a pay phone required by the Lodge due to poor mobile phone signal. We designed new bed canopies with appliqué artwork backdrops depicting a story to raise awareness that the surrounding land needs our help through rewilding.

The bedroom door signs were hand painted in local scenes, featuring Braemar castle and the wonderful Braemar architecture. We reused existing furniture where possible, with all new pieces being made locally to support the community. Our brief was to keep and work with the existing carpets, adding a quiet luxury with comfort and sustainability at heart.