The local hero home
Enjoy front-row view of location with a starring role, writes Paul Drury
THIS stunning modern house would not look out of place in the hills above Hollywood, but its own magical location has enjoyed some movie glamour all of its own.
In Bill Forsyth’s 1983 film Local Hero, the beaches around the imaginary village of Ferness were in real life the golden sands surrounding the hamlet of Morar, Inverness-shire, famous for its views of Eigg, Muck and Rum.
Fast forward nearly 40 years and this modern property enjoys a front-row seat at Camusdarach beach, which played a key role in the film. The men of Knox Oil and Gas – including actor Burt Lancaster – tried to buy the beach as a site for their oil refinery from Ben Knox, a wily old beachcomber played by Fulton Mackay.
For years, the beach at Camusdarach has been something of a secret, often deserted even on sunny days. But more and more people have discovered this West Coast jewel with some even building their homes overlooking its magical sands and dunes.
Taigh Dubh Na Mara (Black House of the Sea) is one of the latest arrivals, fetching up on a rock above the beach in 2013.
This modern structure caused something of a stir locally. Neighbouring properties tend to be lowslung traditional Highland crofts or bungalows, so this architectdesigned house on three levels was always going to stand out.
The property is set upon a concrete base, using locally sourced timber for its frame, which has turned a darker colour since it was constructed, hence the name.
You enter the property at ground floor at the back, a dark and atmospheric part of the house which contains a bedroom with en suite, currently used as an artist’s studio, plus a utility room.
Three further bedrooms and a family bathroom are on the first floor, with the top of the house given over to a kitchen/diner and a living room with vaulted ceilings and full-height windows. From here you can watch the sun rise over the mountains before seeing it sink behind the Small Isles at the end of the day.
The house has underfloor heating throughout, powered by an air source heat pump that qualifies for the Renewable Heat Incentive grant.
The Local Hero beach at Camusdarach is a short stroll away, along a sandy path.
Katie Lamont, property director of selling agent MacPhee & Partners, said: ‘Like many people, I have admired this iconic build with interest over the years and it’s my pleasure to now be marketing Taigh Dubh Na Mara. ‘We have received an incredible response to this unique property and with demand for homes, especially in more rural areas, incredibly high at present, the sale has created a great buzz in the current market boom.’