Ardgour eco shed will feature on television’s Amazing Spaces
AN INNOVATIVE shed in Ardgour has brought fame to the Lochaber village as it is set to be broadcast on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.
The Wee Tower at Cuil Moss Cottage on Ardgour Estate is one of four finalists in the eco section of the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2017, and will feature on the programme later in the year.
In the meantime, owners Annie and Ewen MacLean need votes before June 2 to make sure they reach the final.
The couple, who own the Cuil Moss holiday cottage, were called by Channel 4 and asked if they wanted to enter their shed in the competition.
‘We were wanting to add something special on to our holiday cottage. You always see people putting in hot tubs and things, but we wanted to make something unique from what’s already here in Ardgour,’ said Annie.
‘In Ardgour, we have beautiful woodland wildlife and clear Highland dark skies. We designed the tower for people who want to wildlife watch and stargaze. We are bringing people to Ardgour in the best possible way and doing something different to showcase the area in a special way.’
The Wee Tower is the only shed in the Highlands to make it to the finals across all the categories.
Built with only sustainable materials, the off-grid Wee Tower is hidden in the woodland by the cottage and has been in situ for the past year.
Habitats and bird boxes have been added to make it home for lots of wildlife and a solar light woodland path guides the way in the evening.
The tower was built off-site by Echo Living and then lifted into place so as not to disturb the flora and fauna on the woodland floor.
Annie said: ‘ Eco to me is more than just using thoughtful materials and local crafts. Sustainability is also about bringing people to our fragile rural community and sharing it in the best possible way.’
Competition winners receive £1,000 and Cuprinol vouchers but Annie told the Lochaber
Times she will be donating the prize money to a worthy community cause.
‘If we win, we will donate the £1,000 prize money and vouchers to Ardgour play area at the school, which both my children attend, and which is being developed by community volunteers.’