SITE​

Lairg, Scotland, UK
 

STATUS
Design Development

​

PROGRAM
Trekking Refuge

​

TEXT:

A small stream trickles through a meadow, leading Highland waters to salmon abundant River Oykel. A ruin sits quietly along its banks, facing the mid-to late day sun among tall coniferous trees. The cottage and adjacent byres are built with a wrinkly Moine gneiss, weathered with lichen. Ferns grow between the cracks of the old stone structure, and a sandy clay based mortar reveals itself as the building degrades.

 

Falling into disrepair, the original shepherd’s shelter is now envisioned to become a hiker’s refuge along the 400km Cape Wrath Trail. With the help of volunteers through the Mountain Bothy Association (MBA) a community-based restoration effort will bring life back into the crumbling structure. By using structural stone and timber roofing, the restoration aims to minimally impact the existing ecology and consider the full life cycle of the building. The new refuge will provide a learning opportunity for those interested in regional construction knowledge, as well as a place to eat and rest for future travellers.

​​

​