Eco-friendly cottage... in a flat pack
Viking invaders did not always receive the warmest of welcomes when they landed on the West Coast of Scotland. But Bob Carss was delighted to see the lads from norway arrive with his flat-packed home on the backs of their lorries.
Mr Carss, a former environmental manager, engaged the services of Fjordhus to build his dream Scandi-style home at Craobh Marina, 21 miles south of Oban, Argyll.
in scenes reminiscent of the way german builder Huf Haus operates, the norwegians had Scone Cottage wind and watertight within a fortnight.
The home owner said: ‘The norwegian firm brought the kit over and put up the frame. We then engaged the galashiels-based import company to complete the build. My wife and i were working in the Central Belt at the time and could only pop up at weekends to see how things were going.
‘There was not one single snagging issue when the house was finally handed over to us.’
indeed, the finished article is a triumph of eco-friendly 21st century housing.
There is a ground source heat pump, drawing energy from 250ft down in the rock. it provides all the hot water and heating for Scone Cottage, which also enjoys Scandinavian-standard internal insulation.
There is also a wood-burning stove but Mr Carss complains he rarely gets a chance to light it because the house is so warm.
The two-storey property was designed to maximise the views over the Sound of Jura towards the islands of Shuna, Luing and Scarba.
Sunsets are said to be breathtaking from the glass-fronted balcony, which opens through glass doors from the first-floor sitting room.
Scone Cottage has a particularly spacious open-plan kitchen/ dining room, featuring white kitchen units with marble worktops and integrated appliances.
A double-height sun room with French doors sits at the side of the property, while to the rear of the ground floor lie two double bedrooms.
The master bedroom is on the first floor, complemented by a contemporary en suite bathroom with Jacuzzi.
The accommodation is completed by a substantial studio or bedroom, which could be used as a home office.
The house presents as a tour de force of Scandi style, rich in the use of wood and glass to help pull the outdoors in.
The owners used to sail and in their ten years at Scone Cottage they could spot their yacht in the marina from their home. Mr Carss explained: ‘When we were out sailing, we looked out and said, “One day, we’ll retire up the West Coast and bake scones”.’
As a result it is named Scone Cottage (the cake) and not Scone Cottage (the place).
Offers over £425,000 to Peter Gillespie of Savills. Telephone 0141 222 5875.