Houzz Tour: A 17th Century Castle is Beautifully Brought Up To Date
A tasteful restoration project brings modern comforts to a Scottish castle near Inverness without compromising its character
While exploring the Scottish Highlands in the 1990s, a family of four came across the neglected Dalcross Castle. Captivated by the building and its history, they bought it in 1996. The castle was built in 1620 for one of the daughters of the 8th Lord Lovat, chief of Clan Fraser. It was used by the Duke of Cumberland during the mustering of troops for the 1746 Battle of Culloden, and troops would have stayed in the castle or crossed it on their way to the battlefield. After falling into disrepair in the 19th century, the building was renovated in late Victorian times and restored to habitable accommodation, but had gradually become run-down.
A couple of years after buying it, the family decided to enlist help from Maxwell & Company Architects and Rona Douglas Interiors. ‘The clients wanted to convert the property from an unloved cold and damp castle into something warm, cosy and habitable that could be used by family and friends,’ recalls James Maxwell. The skilful and sensitive renovation introduced 21st century comforts while maintaining the character and history of the building, creating a welcoming Scottish escape for the family from their busy lives in London.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here An accountant by training, a lawyer and their two children
Location Near Inverness, Scotland
Built 1620
Architect James Maxwell of Maxwell & Company Architects
Designer Rona Douglas Interiors
Size 11 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms
A couple of years after buying it, the family decided to enlist help from Maxwell & Company Architects and Rona Douglas Interiors. ‘The clients wanted to convert the property from an unloved cold and damp castle into something warm, cosy and habitable that could be used by family and friends,’ recalls James Maxwell. The skilful and sensitive renovation introduced 21st century comforts while maintaining the character and history of the building, creating a welcoming Scottish escape for the family from their busy lives in London.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here An accountant by training, a lawyer and their two children
Location Near Inverness, Scotland
Built 1620
Architect James Maxwell of Maxwell & Company Architects
Designer Rona Douglas Interiors
Size 11 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms
The project took the best part of three years and involved the complete restoration of both the exterior and interior of the castle. The scale of the project gave the architects and clients plenty of time to find salvaged items that could be incorporated into the home. Everything was found or bought new for the castle, which is now full of period pieces with interesting histories.
These exterior gates, which are not the main gates, but the entrance to the walled gardens, are not original to the property, but were sourced in Edinburgh at an architectural salvage yard. They date back to the 1890s and were refurbished and installed at the property, with the stone wall being extended and new railings put in to match.
These exterior gates, which are not the main gates, but the entrance to the walled gardens, are not original to the property, but were sourced in Edinburgh at an architectural salvage yard. They date back to the 1890s and were refurbished and installed at the property, with the stone wall being extended and new railings put in to match.
The back door – the one used by the family – opens into this passageway, which has various utilitarian rooms leading off it, such as a wine cellar, a garden room, an office for the running of the estate and a china store.
At the end, through the open door pictured here, is the main staircase that rises up through the full five floors of the castle. The solid oak floor conceals heating pipes that run underground from a boiler room that Maxwell & Company Architects constructed outside the walled garden.
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At the end, through the open door pictured here, is the main staircase that rises up through the full five floors of the castle. The solid oak floor conceals heating pipes that run underground from a boiler room that Maxwell & Company Architects constructed outside the walled garden.
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The Great Hall has three windows with balconies that overlook the walled garden. ‘The family use this room for parties, dancing and sometimes dining,’ says James. The fireplace had been painted, so the architects stripped it back and exposed the original stonework.
The table and chairs are custom-made. For smaller parties, the table can be divided up, and spare sections stored in adjacent rooms. It’s made from oak burnt with a blowtorch to blacken it.
The chandeliers were custom-made and, together with the table, create a grand dining space fit for a castle.
Oak Leaf & Acorn chandeliers, Richard Taylor Designs.
The table and chairs are custom-made. For smaller parties, the table can be divided up, and spare sections stored in adjacent rooms. It’s made from oak burnt with a blowtorch to blacken it.
The chandeliers were custom-made and, together with the table, create a grand dining space fit for a castle.
Oak Leaf & Acorn chandeliers, Richard Taylor Designs.
The painting is of the head of Clan Mackintosh, who took over the castle from the Frasers and restored it in late Victorian times. The picture is so large, they decided to leave it in situ during the renovation, so it was covered in plywood and polythene. The flooring in here is stained oak.
Curtain fabric, Romo. Curtain trim, Liberty. Kilim rugs and sofas, antique. Library lights, Besselink & Jones. Walls painted in Pale Parchment, Sanderson.
Curtain fabric, Romo. Curtain trim, Liberty. Kilim rugs and sofas, antique. Library lights, Besselink & Jones. Walls painted in Pale Parchment, Sanderson.
Maxwell & Company Architects designed the mahogany bookshelves and had them made by a local joinery company. All of the furniture was newly purchased and much of it was chosen by the family, who took a keen interest in the project as lovers of the arts.
Adjacent to the Great Hall is the family’s private sitting room. This wing dates back to 1890 and is much more modern than the 17th century hall. This is reflected in the Arts and Crafts-style furnishings, the detail on the fabrics and the craftsmanship of the original panelling.
Wallpaper, Osborne & Little. Upholstery fabrics, GP&J Baker and Mulberry Home. Curtain fabric, Osborne & Little. Cushion fabrics, Romo. Sofas, Collins and Hayes. Curtain poles, Byron & Byron. Panelling painted in Pebble Mosaic, Dulux.
Wallpaper, Osborne & Little. Upholstery fabrics, GP&J Baker and Mulberry Home. Curtain fabric, Osborne & Little. Cushion fabrics, Romo. Sofas, Collins and Hayes. Curtain poles, Byron & Byron. Panelling painted in Pebble Mosaic, Dulux.
The pitch pine ceiling had previously been painted, and was stripped back during the project. Pitch pine is a subspecies that has fewer knots than regular pine.
The kitchen is also on the first floor. ‘Because of the shape and size of the property, we spent a lot of time figuring out which room to use for which purpose,’ James explains. ‘We designed it as a family home.’
The large oak dining table was made by Gavin Robertson, and the chairs are the same as in the Great Hall to give unity to the building. The lights are from Flos and add a contemporary edge that contrasts beautifully with the beamed ceiling.
Table, custom-made by Gavin Robertson. Walls painted in Abbey White, Sanderson.
The large oak dining table was made by Gavin Robertson, and the chairs are the same as in the Great Hall to give unity to the building. The lights are from Flos and add a contemporary edge that contrasts beautifully with the beamed ceiling.
Table, custom-made by Gavin Robertson. Walls painted in Abbey White, Sanderson.
The main staircase rises through the five floors of the castle. ‘We took off the old plaster, reinstated new and gave it a lime wash, which is why it looks slightly rough,’ says James. The plaster was left exposed to complement the original stone stairs.
With the uneven spiral staircase, good lighting in the stairwell was crucial. Lighting throughout the home was from Vaughan, Besselink & Jones, Limehouse Lamp Company and Mr Light.
With the uneven spiral staircase, good lighting in the stairwell was crucial. Lighting throughout the home was from Vaughan, Besselink & Jones, Limehouse Lamp Company and Mr Light.
A warm red was chosen for the principle corridor in the master bedroom suite, one floor up from the Great Hall. ‘We liked our reds,’ James admits. The colour is toned down with a muted grey on the bookshelves, and framed maps and artwork break up the colour in the corridor.
Wall paint, Fired Earth.
See 10 ways to use red in your home
Wall paint, Fired Earth.
See 10 ways to use red in your home
One of the quaintest features of the castle is what’s known as the laird’s lug. ‘The laird of the castle needed to have somewhere to hide should the castle be attacked. It’s between floors, so you wouldn’t know it existed,’ James explains. ‘That’s typical of castles.’
In the master bedroom, rich reds and greys create an elegant yet warm atmosphere. Sporrans, part of male Scottish Highland dress, decorate the wall and ground the room firmly in its context.
The wardrobe was sourced by the clients. The fireplace is not original, but was also found by the clients. ‘This is the most valuable and interesting fireplace. It’s French marble with ornate ironwork in fleur-de-lys patterns,’ says James.
Wallpaper, Brian Yates. Curtain fabric, GP & J Baker. Blind fabric, Romo. Carpet, Godfrey Hirst.
The wardrobe was sourced by the clients. The fireplace is not original, but was also found by the clients. ‘This is the most valuable and interesting fireplace. It’s French marble with ornate ironwork in fleur-de-lys patterns,’ says James.
Wallpaper, Brian Yates. Curtain fabric, GP & J Baker. Blind fabric, Romo. Carpet, Godfrey Hirst.
The castle has three turrets. ‘We made them into nice little seating areas,’ says James. The shot holes between the windows would originally have been used for defence of the castle. ‘The architecture is right on the cusp of the change from fortification to domestic use,’ he explains. ‘It’s called a fortalice.’ It’s not quite as fortified as other castles, but is not fully domestic either, so has defensive elements such as these shot holes.
Cushions in Solomon’s Seal Red fabric, GP & J Baker.
Cushions in Solomon’s Seal Red fabric, GP & J Baker.
The couple have two children who inhabit the top of the castle, each taking up half of the floor. ‘Previously, the attic had been completely disused and was full of water tanks, moths and dead birds,’ recalls James.
The architects worked with interior designer Rona Douglas for the soft fit out of the project. In this bedroom, they went for a nautical theme, seen in the red and white stripes on the wall fabric, and the blinds and cushions that feature flags on one side and pennants on the other.
Upholstered wall fabric, Ian Mankin. Shutters and blinds fabrics, Mulberry Home. Headboard fabric, GP & J Baker. Carpet, Godfrey Hirst.
The architects worked with interior designer Rona Douglas for the soft fit out of the project. In this bedroom, they went for a nautical theme, seen in the red and white stripes on the wall fabric, and the blinds and cushions that feature flags on one side and pennants on the other.
Upholstered wall fabric, Ian Mankin. Shutters and blinds fabrics, Mulberry Home. Headboard fabric, GP & J Baker. Carpet, Godfrey Hirst.
The castle has 11 bedrooms and bathrooms. All of the bedrooms are en suite with very generous tubs – the master bathroom contains a china bath from the 19th century that’s so heavy, it took eight men to lift it.
The property is now a welcoming home and entertaining space that can be enjoyed by the family and their friends. The architects have thoughtfully brought this historic building into the present without losing an ounce of its charm.
TELL US…
What do you think of this Scottish castle? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The property is now a welcoming home and entertaining space that can be enjoyed by the family and their friends. The architects have thoughtfully brought this historic building into the present without losing an ounce of its charm.
TELL US…
What do you think of this Scottish castle? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The building to the far left – a single-storey cottage – was originally a dairy and is connected to a two-storey cottage that would have housed estate workers. They are connected to the main castle by an open courtyard, which has been roofed to create an enclosed boot room. The family use this as their entrance.