Houzz Tour: A Converted Scottish Lighthouse on the Shores of Loch Ness
A dilapidated lighthouse on the shores of Loch Ness has been beautifully renovated to become two stylish holiday lets
Jo Simmons
14 February 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
On the northern edge of Loch Ness, by the banks of the Caledonian canal, sits wee Bona Lighthouse. It is one of only two inland lighthouses in Scotland and was built in 1815 by celebrated engineer Thomas Telford. This modest building guided shipping through the narrow stretch of water that leads into Loch Dochfour, with light supplied by a lantern on the upper floor of the octagonal building.
After more than 160 years, electric lights replaced the lantern, but since 2000 the building has been empty and had fallen into disrepair. Scottish Canals, the body that owns the lighthouse, has been renovating many of its historic properties and, in September 2014, Bona Lighthouse was reborn as stylish holiday accommodation after a total renovation. It is now divided into two sections. The original lighthouse building is a getaway with two bedrooms, while the converted stables and materials store that adjoins it is a smaller space with one double bedroom.
Interior designer Emma Clanfield joined the project in early 2014. ‘I worked with the architects, LDN Architects, to design the built-in elements,’ she says, ‘and made changes to the bathrooms and kitchens to make them more exciting.’ Emma has worked on several properties owned by Scottish Canals and was given total control over the concept for these two holiday homes. ‘I begin by looking at the building, its history, location and significance,’ says Emma. ‘I then add my style, which is contemporary and comfortable. As I originally trained as a textile designer, I also work in lots of fabrics and textures, too.’
Houzz at a Glance
Property An inland lighthouse now divided into two holiday lets
Location Loch Ness, Inverness
Year built 1815
Designer Emma Clanfield of Emma Clanfield Design
That’s interesting Bona Lighthouse was once Britain’s smallest manned lighthouse
After more than 160 years, electric lights replaced the lantern, but since 2000 the building has been empty and had fallen into disrepair. Scottish Canals, the body that owns the lighthouse, has been renovating many of its historic properties and, in September 2014, Bona Lighthouse was reborn as stylish holiday accommodation after a total renovation. It is now divided into two sections. The original lighthouse building is a getaway with two bedrooms, while the converted stables and materials store that adjoins it is a smaller space with one double bedroom.
Interior designer Emma Clanfield joined the project in early 2014. ‘I worked with the architects, LDN Architects, to design the built-in elements,’ she says, ‘and made changes to the bathrooms and kitchens to make them more exciting.’ Emma has worked on several properties owned by Scottish Canals and was given total control over the concept for these two holiday homes. ‘I begin by looking at the building, its history, location and significance,’ says Emma. ‘I then add my style, which is contemporary and comfortable. As I originally trained as a textile designer, I also work in lots of fabrics and textures, too.’
Houzz at a Glance
Property An inland lighthouse now divided into two holiday lets
Location Loch Ness, Inverness
Year built 1815
Designer Emma Clanfield of Emma Clanfield Design
That’s interesting Bona Lighthouse was once Britain’s smallest manned lighthouse
The entrance to the lighthouse has space for muddy boots and pegs for coats. Emma was inspired by the beautiful paint shades manufactured by Little Greene when she put together the colour scheme for the property.
The living room in the lighthouse is octagonal, with views right down Loch Ness. ‘I wanted to have a best room, parlour feel in here,’ says Emma. Muted shades, comfortable furnishings and a wood-burning stove help pull this off.
Blinds made with fabric from Linwood. Rug, The Braided Rug Company.
Blinds made with fabric from Linwood. Rug, The Braided Rug Company.
The lighthouse helped boats and ships negotiate the narrow waterway that links Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour. A lantern in the upper floor, in what is now the master bedroom, guided them safely.
A wood-burner keeps the lighthouse living room snug, while built-in shelves are home to a photo frame with a charming image inside. ‘I found an old photographic portrait of a couple and put it here with the idea that they could have been the lighthouse keeper and his wife,’ says Emma.
The kitchen in the lighthouse has simple bench seating to accommodate guests. ‘The “whistle” sign was an original piece used on the canal,’ says Emma. ‘It was found in one of Scottish Canals’ other properties.’
Kitchen blinds in Harvest Hare fabric by Mark Hearld, St Jude’s.
Kitchen blinds in Harvest Hare fabric by Mark Hearld, St Jude’s.
The master bedroom sits in the octagonal lighthouse, so to fit a double bed in, Emma had to position it in the centre of the room. ‘It meant I could design storage space behind the headboard,’ says Emma.
‘I used panelling and a dark green paint shade throughout the en-suite bathroom in the lighthouse to make a statement in this small room,’ says Emma.
Douglas fir basin shelf, Timber Stone.
Douglas fir basin shelf, Timber Stone.
The downstairs bathroom in the lighthouse is decorated in watery blues. ‘The bath has a pebble-encrusted panel to echo the small pebble beach on the edge of the loch,’ says Emma.
The lighthouse’s downstairs twin bedroom is home to lots of locally produced tweed. ‘I was keen to use the Knockando Woolmill tweeds as I wanted to support the mill,’ says Emma. ‘I later found out that LDN Architects, who worked on this property, had been the architects for the restoration of the wool mill, so it all tied in nicely.’
The timber panelling is original. ‘It looked so nice in its original state,’ says Emma, ‘so we just rubbed it down and sealed it.’ The width of the boards on this panelling dictated the rest of the panelling in the property, which is made from grooved MDF.
The fireplace was originally in the room that is now the kitchen diner, but it took up valuable space, so Emma had it fitted in this bedroom, where a fireplace would have been. ‘It had been sprayed bronze in the past, and Historic Scotland said we had to keep it that way,’ says Emma. ‘I would have preferred to paint it black.’
The timber panelling is original. ‘It looked so nice in its original state,’ says Emma, ‘so we just rubbed it down and sealed it.’ The width of the boards on this panelling dictated the rest of the panelling in the property, which is made from grooved MDF.
The fireplace was originally in the room that is now the kitchen diner, but it took up valuable space, so Emma had it fitted in this bedroom, where a fireplace would have been. ‘It had been sprayed bronze in the past, and Historic Scotland said we had to keep it that way,’ says Emma. ‘I would have preferred to paint it black.’
The space adjoining the lighthouse, which had been used as stables and a materials store, is now a separate holiday let. ‘I wanted this space to retain some feeling of the previous use, without being clichéd,’ says Emma.
There were some planning restrictions, such as keeping part of the cobbled floor, and this led to including the exposed stone wall, too. ‘It all suggested a semi-industrial feel for the space,’ says Emma, ‘but then I added comfort with the soft furnishings.’
There were some planning restrictions, such as keeping part of the cobbled floor, and this led to including the exposed stone wall, too. ‘It all suggested a semi-industrial feel for the space,’ says Emma, ‘but then I added comfort with the soft furnishings.’
‘The oar on the living room wall was already in the property, so I wanted to use it for decoration,’ says Emma.
Tartan wool, Moon.
Tartan wool, Moon.
‘I had seen an old photo of the lighthouse showing the keeper and his wife and they had a terrier with them,’ says Emma. ‘The dog on this cushion looks similar and is a reference to that previous inhabitant!’
Bertie jute cushion, Plum & Ashby. Hunting fabric on cushions, Linwood.
Bertie jute cushion, Plum & Ashby. Hunting fabric on cushions, Linwood.
The bedroom in the stables flows off the cosy, open-plan living area. ‘The exposed stone cobbled floor is uneven, so I couldn’t put a console against the far wall,’ explains Emma. ‘Instead, I had this shelving and the log store made and fitted to the wall.’ The Douglas fir used for these pieces came from Timber Stone in Aboyne.
Engineered oak flooring, Russwood.
Engineered oak flooring, Russwood.
To gently reference the property’s position next to Loch Ness and the Caledonian canal, Emma sourced vintage pieces with a suitable history. ‘The large light over the dining table is from a ship,’ she says.
Emma has used panelling throughout the stables and the lighthouse. ‘It gives character back to this building, which has changed over the years and lost much of its original feel,’ she says. ‘It also protects the walls – important in a holiday property – and here makes a nice backdrop to the bed. I didn’t feel feature wallpaper suited this house.’
Built-in wardrobes provide ample storage. ‘They also make the room a better shape, as it was long and thin,’ says Emma. ‘I had the bed made slightly shorter than the norm to fit across the room, so you can lie in it and enjoy the view.’
Kantha quilt, Rebecca’s Aix Home. Side tables, Loaf. Rugs, The Braided Rug Company.
Built-in wardrobes provide ample storage. ‘They also make the room a better shape, as it was long and thin,’ says Emma. ‘I had the bed made slightly shorter than the norm to fit across the room, so you can lie in it and enjoy the view.’
Kantha quilt, Rebecca’s Aix Home. Side tables, Loaf. Rugs, The Braided Rug Company.
‘The curtain between the bedroom and living room was lined like a tweed jacket, and is tucked back with Mulberry leather tiebacks,’ says Emma.
Mulberry Home Flying Ducks fabric, GP & J Baker.
Mulberry Home Flying Ducks fabric, GP & J Baker.
Emma had built-in storage created for the stables’ bathroom, in the same Douglas fir as she used in the living area for shelving and log storage. A large laundry cupboard sits on the other side. ‘I always make sure there’s plenty of storage in a holiday property like this, both to make it a pleasant stay for guests and to give the housekeepers somewhere to store all the changeover linen,’ says Emma.
Bona Lighthouse is now two holiday lets, with the larger one incorporating the original lighthouse tower. Access to the apartment in what was the stables is through the double doors at the far end.
TELL US…
Share your thoughts on this Scottish renovation in the Comments below.
TELL US…
Share your thoughts on this Scottish renovation in the Comments below.
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What a sweet, lovely place. I would be delighted to stay there. Terrific use of textiles. Cozy and fresh.
One of my forebears lived in Inverness at the time - Sarah Ann Kerr so she would have seen this building, It gave me goosebumps..she married an Italian and went to live in Glasgow. I have her photo.
you got it spot on....moving to Scotland and I want a Scandinavian vibe but with Scottish tones and i love the term Contemporary but comfortable! thats nailed how i feel in one shot...