This project involved the restoration of the original 18th Century Kingshouse Inn, which is widely considered to be one of Scotland’s oldest licensed Inns, demolition of later 1960’s additions, and the subsequent redevelopment of the site to include a new build 57 bedroom hotel sensitively linked to the original Inn.

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 The original Kingshouse Inn remains at the heart of the site as a focal point for visitors approaching on foot or vehicle. The plan of the redeveloped hotel follows the line of the adjacent River Etive and the public areas all located on the ground floor areas have been configured to take advantage of the breathtaking views towards Buachaille Etive Mor. The distinctive design draws its reference from the surrounding environment following the surrounding mountain ranges to generate its roof profile.  

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 We selected a traditional palette of materials including slate pitched roofs, stone walls to the ground floor, and natural timber cladding to the upper storeys all deployed in a contemporary idiom. With the slate pitched roofs taking their design cue from the original inn while also acknowledging the ancient local (now redundant) Ballachulish slate quarry active from 1693 until its closure in 1955.

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 The objective was a desire to retain the special qualities of the original building and integrate this unique character with a new hotel development that is of its time yet sensitive to its surroundings. The result is a unique development that holds a quiet prominence, meets the needs of locals, visitors walking the west highland way, climbers, skiers and tourists alike and has ultimately breathed new life into the property, which has always been a landmark building in the area.