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October 2023
Stellar split-level Highland home divides opinion

Stellar split-level Highland home divides opinion

October 16 2023

A private peninsula once used to train commandos and latterly home to a famed artist has become a scene of combat once more amidst moves by its new owners to erect a secluded Highland home.

Commando Rock, since renamed The Rock, is reported to be the new home of fashion designer Stella McCartney who has enlisted Brown & Brown Architects to craft a split-level residence like no other for the beauty spot.

Taking advantage of foundations laid for a previously approved home the current approach sees dramatic open-plan social spaces rest upon modest first-floor accommodation within an unapologetically modern stone shell. A curved wall defines the entrance to the property at the end of a private track, replicating the solidity of traditional construction.

In a planning statement, the architects wrote: "The site is obviously of an extremely high standard, both in terms of settings and views. The applicant wishes to create a home here which is site-specific, with the setting, existing contours, aspect, and sun-path, being among the key generators of the design.

"Privacy is of prime import to the applicant, which was a chief reason they acquired the site. The secluded nature of the site would be retained, with the house being largely unseen outwith the site, and primarily only visible from the water."

This hasn't assuaged over 50 objectors who have written to Highland Council, to warn of the environmental impact of tree felling and caution against replacing a traditional two-storey design with a more contemporary style. Among them is local Michie MacDonald who commissioned Ian Kelly Planning Consultancy to set out the 'adverse effect' of a building at such scale and prominence.

The applicant is still awaiting a determination from The Highland Council.

A corten steel tower would draw on the predominant ochre hues of surrounding hills

A light touch entertaining space floats above Loch Ailort

A sheltered entrance courtyard frames views from the exposed site

Rough cut natural stone will help bed the building into the landscape

11 Comments

#1 Posted by town planner on 17 Oct 2023 at 08:39 AM

Going solely on the four images and architecture I actually think that looks great. Michie McDonald's issue re: scale and prominence look difficult to see based on these images.

#2 Posted by David on 17 Oct 2023 at 12:48 PM

According to the planning portal there has been 1 objection since it's submission in February. Easy delegated powers approval...looks magnificent.

#3 Posted by Randall Sloan on 17 Oct 2023 at 16:09 PM

I seriously hope this gets approved, a reflective facade complemented by natural materials of a palette similar to the surroundings is a far more contextual approach to placing a house in the Scottish landscape than the white harled boxes we have been scattering around the landscape for centuries!

#4 Posted by Auntie Nairn on 17 Oct 2023 at 19:34 PM

Can't see what all the fuss is about, it's even (whisper it) a bit dull

#5 Posted by Lovely on 17 Oct 2023 at 19:49 PM

Client seeking privacy by building a giant and relatively bombastic house on top of a peninsula in a very scenic tourist area. Either a huge mistake or a barefaced lie. You decide.

#6 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 18 Oct 2023 at 09:20 AM

There is previous consent for a house on the site, and the design, while a bit of a defensive bunker, should not cause issues.

What may be an obstacle though is the unnecessary expansion of new design into the only Scots Pines on an otherwise clear site - why? Given the client's an environmental campaigner it seems a bit of a strange decision to fell these.

Surely better to design around these 250-year-old beauties, than fell them for a holiday house.

#7 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 18 Oct 2023 at 09:28 AM

@#2 David - the planning portal currently shows 54 representations (the majority objecting) from the time of the application, and more may come now given the publicity. It's fair to say it will not be a delegated decision.

#8 Posted by Dismal Jimmy on 18 Oct 2023 at 09:57 AM

A definite case of Deux ex Machina. Why does the design have to have that fairly clichéd Captain Scarlett/James Bond chic? It could be in New Zealand, Canada, Australia or Scandinavia. I am not convinced the architects have sufficiently addressed/explored the main design issue of language and context. While the design is unobtrusive and blends in etc. is there that much relation to and interaction with the context? Or fun, or humanity, or domesticity for that matter. Others before have definitely explored rural language more. An interesting question arises on such a pristine Scottish site. Should the focus be on the architect's vision, the client's needs/aspiration or the site's identity. Genius Loci, surely every time, mate. and having said that, this for me is a miss.

#9 Posted by Treehugger on 18 Oct 2023 at 11:03 AM

Quite apart from the general unsustainability of a massive concrete holiday home, the loss of the trees is quite surprising. Did they really stand on the site, look at the ancient pines and say "Well, those have got to go". That is a bold decision.

For context, the first photo you see on this website www.roshvenboathouse.com shows the trees on the left, on top of the promontory – a real landmark cluster of historic trees that have survived the Roshven storms for hundreds of years.

Note the architects design renders show all the trees removed, however they are misleading as I understand they will actually try to retain some. Notwithstanding this, I agree with Jimmy above - whatever happened to working with the natural features of the site?

The previous proposal was able to accommodate a house without firing up the chainsaws - I’m sure the current applicant could do the same if she wished.