LOCH AND AWE

A modern 'castle' has in Argyll appeared but while resembling a stronghold of old, this is a playful place designed for good times

- Caroline Ednie

Remote, heathery, craggy, conifer-clumped Argyll sounds like an unlikely setting for a piece of high-concept architecture. But Hundred Acre Wood, a new house fully eight years in the making and referencing Scottish precedents from ancient brochs all the way to Charles Rennie Mackintosh, has announced itself as a striking presence in the landscape.

Making a grand statement, however, was never the main point of this project, either for the architect or the client. "The house is autobiographical and was built around us and our needs as a family," explains the owner. "We're in the fortunate position that we've done what's right for us rather than what might appeal to somebody else."

The story of how Hundred Acre Wood came to be began 15 years ago when the owner spotted the plot for sale. "I was flicking through the Herald's Wednesday property supplement and saw an ad for a plot on Loch Awe," he recalls. "My wife and I had always thought it would be lovely to have a house overlooking the sea. Of course, Loch Awe is not the sea, but we put in an offer anyway and it was accepted. We didn't have a burning desire to live in Argyll; it was very much the plot that sold itself to us rather than us going looking for it."

The couple, first-time self-builders, have a large family and liked the idea of owning a place where everybody could get together. "Fifteen years ago, it was us and our six children. Now we also have three sons-in-law and six grandchildren. Our plan was always about creating space and tranquillity, somewhere away from the crowd. We like extremes, so the peace and quiet in this remote spot really appealed."