PICTURES: Boleskine House renovation works set to be completed by Christmas 2025
The charity behind the renovation of the historic house near Loch Ness has been granted listed building consent for the internal designs.
Works for this stage of the restoration are expected to start in September and run for 55 weeks, seeing the completion of the restoration of Boleskine House before Christmas 2025.
With much of the house having been destroyed by two fires in recent history, chairman of the Boleskine House Foundation Keith Readdy said: “Very little of the interior was intact when we took the project on, and very few archives of the interior of the house exist. Our approach has therefore been one of appropriateness and authenticity inspired by the various periods of the house’s existence.”
According to the charity, each room on the ground floor has been given its own character, inspired and directly influenced by interiors ranging from early Georgian through to late Victorian periods, with some Jacobean undertones.
The principal interiors are characterised by crafted timber finishes. The house enters into a clean, simple and ordered corridor with dado height fielded timber painted panelling, with plaster above and a dentil cornice, and sculpture-gallery-styled chequered tiled flooring.
The ground floor will feature a media room, with full height timber panelling and concealed media technology for functions, presentations and film viewings. Adjoining is a panelled bar room with Jacobean style panelling backing onto a heritage joinery staircase.
The house will also boast a library with in-built timber book shelving, fully panelled and provided with a large table for research and study.
Trustee for the charity, Stewart Clelland, remarked on the council’s decision.
He said: “We are delighted to witness the restoration and reuse of historic buildings like Boleskine. Once deemed beyond saving, the building’s revival after five years of dedicated effort by the local community and volunteers is truly remarkable.
“This achievement exemplifies what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication. We hope this sets a precedent for the conservation of more listed buildings in Scotland, showcasing the vital role our built heritage can play in community regeneration.”
