Contemporary move saves former kirk
A modern makeover of a Highland church interior still leaves the layout brimming with original features and plenty of period character, writes Kirsty Mcluckie
Dating back to the mid-1800s, Moyness Kirk in the Highland village of Auldearn near Nairn had fallen on hard times when Sharon and Stuart Mcallister first saw it ten years ago.
Sharon says: “We bought it at the end of 2008, but the building was open to the elements. It had last been a kirk in 1949 and was owned by Cawdor Estate, but it had been used since then as an agricultural building for storage.
“We have been told that it was saved because it was south-facing so, although the rain was getting in, it dried out quickly and the thick walls held up very well.”
The history of the building became more apparent to the Mcallisters as visitors turned up over the years. People who were related to the last minister have shown the family old pictures proving that it was always an elegant building. Sharon adds: “The chap who helped us with the garden was told by his 97-yearold mother that she attended the church as a girl, so there are lots of local memories of it.”
The Mcallisters had carried out renovations on previous homes but nothing to this scale. Sharon explains: “We had a real sense that if someone didn’t do something soon, the building might be past saving. It was a huge project, but we feel that the stars aligned at the time that we saw it, because my sister-inlaw – Alison Mcallister – is an ecoarchitect who agreed to design the conversion for us. She was adamant we kept the best of the vaulted space and not chop it up in any way.
“We were really encouraged by her and the building company Darroch and Allan of Elgin, which has an in-house master stonemason.”
The best thing about using a family member as an architect, according to Sharon, is that Alison understood exactly how the family had lived in their previous home and designed the new layout accordingly.
Sharon says: “The design makes the most of the shape of the building, giving us open-plan living plus smaller private spaces and, having brought up three boys here, the design has adapted to every change.”
The main living area is dominated by the two original Y-tracery, Gothic windows which face south, and so flood the interior with natural light.
The living area is a mix of modern and contemporary design, with high ceilings, exposed stonework, oak flooring and a mezzanine balcony fitted with library shelves which runs the length of the first floor.
The original vestry is off the kitchen and is used as a second sitting room, with features including wood panelling, a door to the gardens and a wood-burning stove. Sharon says: “It is in the oldest part of the building, probably dating back 170 years, but is now an ideal counterpoint to the open living of the rest of the house and perfect when you need some peace.”
The master bedroom suite is on the top floor and has a dressing room, sumptuous bathroom and a gym off it, while Stuart uses the ground-floor bedroom as an art studio. It has also been a luxurious space to house guests, with exposed beams and its own ensuite which includes a Japanese deep soaking bath and a walk-in shower.
Sharon says: “The house has evolved to meet our needs but originally it was important to have three bedrooms of the same size on the first floor for the boys.”
The gardens have in their time housed swings in the trees for the children while the surrounding fields have played a part as sledging slopes when it snows.
Their oldest two sons have now left home, and Sharon and Stuart plan to move to be closer to them.
It is a beautiful part of the world, and being close to the surrounding artistic community has been important to the family. Sharon is a holistic therapist who has just published her first book, Awakening
The vestry is the oldest part of the building, dating back 170 years, but is now an ideal counterpoint to open-plan living
your Crystals, with a publisher who owns the local Findhorn Press.
Stuart has retired from a career as a design director and spends a lot of his time painting.
Sharon says: “Both of us came from a corporate life originally and this house has allowed us to move onto different, more creative projects. The surrounding community is very interested in wellbeing and so it has been the perfect spot for us to settle.
“But also, the house has a lovely feel. During the renovation we always kept in mind that we wanted to honour the building and we do feel that we have achieved that.”