Visitors would be forgiven for thinking that the Gate House on the Aldourie Estate had always been there, but in fact the building was only completed in September 2023. After an architect unearthed an unbuilt design from the estate archives from the 1860s, the Kishorn Heritage Ltd team were keen to bring the gate house to life. The team created an aesthetically outstanding piece of architecture, which fits sympathetically with the wider estate.
Kishorn Heritage Ltd is a family-owned and operated principal construction and engineering contractor based in Inverness, specialising in restoration, conservation and bespoke quality builds. Built in the Lorimer style using traditional techniques and materials, the gate house’s design included turrets, crow stepped gables and cast-iron finials. Materials included Flemish bond brickwork, Achnasheen stone base and Lazonby stone string course, giving the Gate House authenticity. This continues inside the building with a vaulted roof made of estate-felled Douglas fir, exposed oak beams and chimney stack with a Clashhach sandstone inglenook fireplace. Internally the house has a locally fabricated handmade timber kitchen, a domed interior ceiling to the turret which houses the bespoke spiral staircase. Traditionally artisan conservation details are in the fixtures and fittings, premium light fittings sympathetic to the design and sanitary ware and accessories that provide period character. Externally, cylindrical gate pillars were crafted using random rubble masonry painstakingly chiseled to the required shape. With turreted slate tops to mirror the main building turret.
Housing guest accommodation on the estate, this intricate building exceeds modern insulation and energy performance standards. Heating and hot water comes from a ground source heat pump which is located in a purpose-built outhouse to the rear of the gatehouse, supporting the building whilst being discretely disguised. The gatehouse heating systems is connected to the wider building management system on the estate to allow estate staff to efficiently manage energy use at the gatehouse. There is a warmth to the building with its autumnal colour whilst nestled within the embrace of the mature estate landscape.
Kishorn Heritage is and always has been adamant about sourcing locally, from skilled labourers to materials, the company strives to build strong relationships with its subcontractors to deliver the highest standards for its clients. Some techniques used on the building are rare in modern buildings and were honest to the client’s wish for care in conservation by using materials authentic to the construction period of the wider estate. Kishorn Heritage understood that they were working on a live estate, and it was therefore important to operate respectfully to ensure a good working relationship. The estate is popular with the public for walking and accessing the lochside, and it was therefore important that the public could view the developments without being at any risk from the team’s operations.
Wildlands (the client) are custodians of the Aldourie Estate and are dedicated to rehabilitating the estate’s assets across the Highlands of Scotland. Wildlands operate several hospitality venues within the estate, with all proceeds going back into the conservation and ongoing maintenance of the wider estate. Investment in the rural property developments brings function and opportunity to the wider community. Positive impacts on the community arise from employment, sourcing local produce and fare for use within the venues and using local trades and other businesses will support the ongoing sustainability of the estate for future generations.