Loch Ness-side historic former church damaged by earth tremors to be converted to dream home
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A NEGLECTED historic church near Inverness is to be converted into an “idyllic dream home” for its new owners.
David Bailey and Julianna Maluskina bought the Old Church of Bona at Dochfour, near Dochgarroch, in summer 2017.
The couple have now secured planning permission from Highland Council officials for an ambitious change of use conversion to a house, including a roof extension.
The church was originally built in 1846 on land gifted to the Free Church by Dochfour Estate.
The category C building situated near the north end shore of Loch Ness was extended in 1865 and then partially rebuilt in 1903 and 1906 after earth tremors.
It was finally closed amid dwindling congregations in 1981. In 1995, it became a joiner’s workshop and two years later was sold to a private owner.
A structural condition review document submitted to planners told how the hall of the rectangular main building still held a pulpit feature which is to be preserved as a condition of the “expensive” conversion project, which will be completed in stages given its large scale and cost of works. The review exposed historic problems with the roof structure which had led to past water damage.
It also described historic structural problems, possibly due to seismic activity, which had been partially repaired, within a building suffering from “a lack of general maintenance over the years” by previous owners.
Latterly, the building was used for storage purposes only, but was considered as suitable for conversion to a domestic residence subject to remedial works, particularly on cracked walls, window frames and joints and with insulation and damp-proofing of floors.
Given the building’s historical interest, one condition of approval was to extensively photograph the interior for the purpose of records.
A design and conservation statement on behalf of the owners described how Mr Bailey had strong childhood and family ties to the locality and was keen to settle there with Ms Maluskina.
It said the couple “saw an opportunity to give life to this historic building and its surrounding area and create a dream home (in a place) where we can find peace and happiness”.
The first step in the project would be to create a living space in the meeting room end of the church for the couple to base themselves during further longer-term works. The aim would be to convert the building with minimum visual impact on its original character.
It added: “David has ties to the areas – his grandfather was foreman and forester at Dochfour Estate, while his grandmother was head cook at nearby Aldourie Castle.”
