‘this house is a constant adventure’

Visiting Scotland for a friend’s wedding, Seamus and Lucy Shanks loved the area so much that they started looking online for nearby properties. ‘We saw the listing for this house, and thought it was amazing,’ explains Seamus, who owns London architecture practice, Draw Architecture. The listed building had a Modernist design that won Seamus over straight away, yet when the couple viewed it, Lucy was less impressed. ‘It had been decorated as a farm cottage and was cold, damp and unwelcoming,’ Seamus recalls. ‘Lucy hated it initially, but I knew we had to have it.’

Perched above the waters of Loch Rannoch, surrounded by the Cairngorm Mountains and filled with a seductive wild beauty, the property’s picturesque setting was a big part of the appeal – and the reason Seamus convinced Lucy to buy it. The house sits in a few acres, including woodland and two private beaches, where Seamus imagined their hoped-for children playing.

After the sale went through, the couple spent time living in the house first, getting to know it so they had a better feel for how best to approach the remodel. Lucy is an interior designer, so they worked on the project together. ‘It was a 50-50 effort,’ explains Seamus. ‘But we did have a few battles, mainly over the cost of things!’

The result, however, is a stunning home that marries Scandinavian-inspired simplicity with a palette that both frames and reflects the loch views. Despite the pared-back approach, their home feels luxurious and effortlessly chic thanks to quality materials and considered design. ‘We tried to introduce a ‘no-frills’ Modernist style to respect the original architect’s vision,’ Seamus says.

Their project began with repairing a leaky roof in what is now the third bedroom. Elsewhere, a very large bedroom with an unusual utility area was remodelled into the main and second bedrooms, both of which have waterside views. The couple also managed to add a second bathroom and renovated the existing one with a monochrome design, which Seamus now regrets. ‘We could have done it better, and plan to change it,’ he admits.

Underfloor