Nominee Summary
The renovation and restoration of Kinveachy Lodge, outbuildings, infrastructure and environment to re-create the principal Seafield family seat in Speyside ,provide a home for Viscount Reidhaven and a fulcrum for the Strathspey estate and the clan. The project took three years on site to convert a former C19th 11 bedroom shooting lodge, built for the Seafield family which had become increasingly under used and under invested. The restoration included the conversion of derelict outbuildings and construction of a new energy centre , three car garage, health spa, new services infrastructure and landscaping . It encompassed complete refurnishing and fitting out.
Building quality
The lodge is traditionally constructed -solid masonry walls, lath and plaster, slate pitched roofs, suspended timber floors. Under investment and poor maintenance had led to rain penetration, inadequate heating and hot water, unsafe electrical circuitry and dilapidated finishes. It was served by private drainage and water. Built for the family c.1870 as a period shooting lodge with turrets, crow stepped gables, sandstone margins and whinstone base course, it had an illustrious past but by 2019 was almost uninhabitable. To the west was a disused stone bothy and stables. Complete restoration and refitting of the lodge was required to provide the principal home for the owner, for entertainment to act as a focal point for the Strathspey enterprise and for clan gatherings. The bothy and stables required restoration and conversion for a housekeeper and a staff flat for trainees. The conversion now offers 5 star accommodation providing 11 bedrooms with under floor heated ensuite bathrooms , a newly panelled principal sitting room with discreet bar, drawing room, principal dining room, new panelled family kitchen/ dining room, commercial kitchen, underfloor heated gun/rod room, drying room, office/games room, laundry, ancillary rooms and cellarage. 2 additional bedrooms and kitchenette for live in staff have also been provided. All services have been renewed and mains water and 3 phase electricity supplied. A 3 car garage , health spa and new energy centre have been added and the surrounding land altered with new hard and soft landscaping. The project included complete interior design and fit out.
Ethical/environmental standards
The project was carried out at a time that was suitable for protection of bats. External materials that matched the original were used for repairs -all external storm/foul drainage was renewed in cast iron, slates were reused, zinc details were replaced in lead, all windows were overhauled/altered for historic correctness . New joinery was made to match existing . Stone margins were cleaned. All render was repaired and painted. Re-roofing of the bothy and stables utilised bat friendly materials. The lodge/bothy/stables/garage/spa are supplied with heating and hot water from the new energy centre biomass wood chip boiler fed by automatic augur from an underground bunker with chips supplied from the client's forestry . A back up boiler and stand by generator have been installed. Mains water has been provided but the former private supply from the hill has been retained for emergency back up and fire fighting. Where possible the lodge has been insulated but the bothy, staff flat and spa are constructed to the latest thermal standards . The septic tank has been replaced with a biological treatment plant , the outfall from which is returned to the burn along with storm water drainage . The completed project provides accommodation for the family and 20 guests with commercial grade facilities. Renovation of outbuildings to a similar standard provides accommodation for a housekeeper and trainee staff. The main contractor and most sub-contractors/specialists were from the Inverness. Complete interior redesign utilised historic family artefacts ,paintings and furniture amalgamated with architectural salvage.
Community impact
The renovation has provided for the lodge and other estate buildings to become a focal point for the family ,the estate and clan who are one of Scotland's oldest land owners whose estates stretch across to Cullen . The investment sustains the buildings for the foreseeable future and stands testimony to the family's commitment to its heritage in Strathspey and preservation of the historic environment. Direct employment arises from the restoration as a result of the facilities created and the potential for promoting the estate, creating the opportunity for entertainment and marketing to the clan membership, especially the large overseas contingent.
