The Cowieswells Project: Scaffolding Down

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, 10 February 2013

Scaffolding Down

Last weekend I was down at the site cutting logs and doing some tidying up. Whilst working (read dicking around), I managed to get the Range Rover well and truly stuck (high centred) in some very deep mud. The weather has been pretty poor and the place looks like the Somme. I tried for an hour and a half to get it out but to no avail. So I left it there with a view to coming back Monday morning and eating a large slice of humble pie and getting a tow off the builders.

By the time I arrived on Monday morning, they had already dragged it clear and set to work taking down the scaffolding. This represents the start of the next major phase, working on the ground work outside (drains etc) and I was too excited to be embarrassed about my poor landrovering skills.

This was the first time that we have seen the place without the scaffold and it looks amazing. We are very happy with the way its coming along. Inside they have continued with fitting kitchens, laying floors and doing electrics.