The Cowieswells Project: Week 15

Welcome

Cowieswells is a derelict farm south of Stonehaven in NE Scotland. We were lucky enough to acquire the place in August 2010 when we were moving back to the UK from Norway and looking for something to match or even better our previous, fjord-side home. The farm house and steading (barns) command an impressive and exposed cliff top location with fantastic views across the North Sea. The buildings were constructed from sandstone in a traditional style and our goal in rebuilding it is to be sympathetic to the original design whilst creating a much larger house which is modern, efficient and maximizes the unique views.

Since we bought the place we have spent over a year working with architects, planners and generally doing stuff that doesn't make for interesting reading. This blog picks up the renovation process in late 2011 when work outside got started. Over the coming months it will be updated every week or so with pictures, movies and the odd bit of text. Like Grand Designs but without the suave sarcasm of Kevin McCloud.

Sunday 24 June 2012

Week 15

I was away for a couple of weeks running trips in Spain and South Wales. By the time I got back I was itching to see what had been going on. Here's a quick summary
In the main house they have been mainly bashing holes in the existing stonewalls and then making them secure. So we now have:
A doorway into the utility room
A window in the kitchen
The dining room hole is now secure
The passage way from the main house into the extension is also secure
They opted to take down the end wall rather than try and knock a whole in it for the lounge extension. That is ongoing.
In the bothy there has been more visible progress. The trusses are up and the roof is on. There is an upstairs floor. They have also knocked a window to give up a seaward view and built the fireplace.
The weather has been pretty horrible but the guys are cracking on. We are almost half way through now. It was amazing there today, the storm has passed and apart from the wind singing in the scaffolding and the swallows chirping away it was completely peaceful.

Overall the place still looks like a bomb site, but note he missing gable of the far end of the house

Velux windows have arrived

Inside the main house looking east. They opted to take down the gable rather than punch a hole through for the lounge extension. Note the opening for the dining room (to the right) has now been secured.