A 1950s caretaker’s cottage renovated in a minimal, contemporary style was designed to enjoy the stunning views from the windows
Meet & greet
Susie Whyte (architect and interior designer) and John Burke (pharmaceutical services director).
The property
A renovated 1950s four-bedroom prefabricated bungalow in Aberfeldy, Scotland.
Clad in wood, surrounded by green fields, colourful wild flowers and ancient wind-swept trees, The Lodge sits perched above the village of Aberfeldy in the Tay valley, surrounded by the majestic Highlands of Scotland. It belongs to Susie Whyte and John Burke, an Irish couple who came to know this area thanks to John’s son Ruairi.
“He lived about 40 minutes from Aberfeldy,” says Susie. “We used to come to Scotland every second weekend to see him, which included regular trips to Aberfeldy for hikes.
A special place
John had his eye on Dun Aluinn for years, and after a bit of deliberation, Susie and John bought the property in 2016 and haven’t looked back since. Dun Aluinn, which means “beautiful hill fort” in Gaelic, is an estate that also includes a Victorian country manor house situated on two hectares of mature grounds.
The name gives a hint of what this special place has to offer. The Lodge is surrounded by nature and has a modern, minimalistic charm that has been carefully curated by the couple.
It was originally intended to be a leisurely project, but during the Covid lockdown, renovating the 1950s post-war caretaker’s cottage began. “Initially, it was not a priority,” says Susie. “But after a burglary at the beginning of 2020, our plans were accelerated and The Lodge was renovated and finished by July 2021. It was a trying time. There was Brexit, lockdowns and a scarcity of building materials and tradesmen, coupled with the fact that being able to travel to Scotland was so limited.”
Overcoming obstacles
Luckily, Susie and John could draw on their extensive building and design expertise. He currently works as a director in pharmaceutical services, but has been renovating old and listed buildings for years, while Susie has been working for years in the US as an architect and designer. The couple’s combined skills came in handy when things got tough because of all the Covid and Brexit complications.
“John’s extensive experience running a building company helped get things across the line,” says Susie, recalling some of the hitches they overcame successfully. “The focus of the design for The Lodge was very clear from the start: it was all about the view, and how the building relates to it, being a part of it.”
The Lodge faces west, with the sun setting between the mountains – with views capturing the mist and fog rising as it creeps through the valley; and the snow-capped mountains in winter reflect icy pinks and blues. It’s not surprising then how the generous outside deck and covered porch became central to the design.
American influence
“I wanted a contemporary style with some reference to the original building,” says Susie. “Taking cues from the simple form and existing footprint, we have imagined the space with a nod to an American shack with emphasis on outside living with the covered deck.
“The materials are uncomplicated and soft, with cedar cladding, larch decking, aluminium windows and a tin roof. It was important that The Lodge would look and feel rooted, commanding such a prominent spot. It also needed to be so completely different from the main Victorian house.”
Sustainable sanctuary
John and Susie consider nature to be their first true love, which means that the whole project had to be sustainable and low impact. “I am acutely aware that buildings bring disturbance of all kinds to nature, so at each step we tried our best to mitigate damage,” says Susie. “We planted trees and a wild flower meadow with local seeds. All outside lighting is low level and specific to avoid disturbing wildlife and we used natural materials wherever possible.”
What should you expect when crossing the threshold? “The kitchen and bathrooms are totally white with a punch of bright colour. They were inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s 1963 film, 2001: Space Odyssey, connecting back to the original era of the building. The interior palette mainly reflects the nuanced colours of the landscape and the beautiful teak floors were reclaimed from a derelict church in nearby Crieff.
Peace, calm and comfort
The Lodge has four bedrooms, all with ensuites, and a main living area comprising kitchen, dining and sitting room. It covers approximately a 170sqm surface.
“My favourite place in The Lodge is actually the deck,” says Susie, about the covered area at the front of the building that offers sweeping views across the River Tay. “On a summer evening there is nothing more magical than sitting there, watching the sunset. When winter comes, we love to have a heartful meal at the dining table, with the fire burning and the snow-capped mountains. The overriding feeling of The Lodge is one of peace, calm and comfort.
“It is the perfect place to destress and unwind. Whatever the Scottish weather throws at you, you can feel snug and cosy looking out at it.”
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