Kyle House in Isabelle Priest’s “New Scottish Houses: Contemporary Architecture and Living in the Landscape”
Kyle House features in the newly published “New Scottish Houses: Contemporary Architecture and Living in the Landscape” by Isabelle Priest (RIBA Publishing, 2025).
Located at the southern tip of the Kyle of Tongue in Sutherland, Kyle House thoughtfully inhabits its elevated site, offering expansive views across the dramatic Highland landscape. Described by Priest as a humble, tranquil, low-energy dwelling, Kyle House exemplifies sustainable living designed for generations, gently encouraging its occupants to live slowly and intimately connected to the surrounding nature.
Originally built in the early to mid-19th century using stone likely salvaged from the nearby Iron Age Dun Mhaigh broch, Kyle House forms part of Wildland, an ambitious conservation and rewilding vision. The client envisioned a sensitive refurbishment that brings together the best qualities of Scottish craftsmanship and Scandinavian design.
Externally, Kyle House maintains a modest appearance, renewed with traditional materials and techniques. Yet, subtle contemporary interventions, such as frameless gable windows and a monolithic oak entrance door, signal a balance between heritage and modernity. Internally, finely detailed oak joinery defines calm, equally proportioned spaces, complemented by a pared-back material palette of Caithness stone, lime plaster, brass, leather and glass.
The project exemplifies GRAS’s ongoing commitment to contextual architecture, heritage stewardship and quiet yet meaningful design innovation. We warmly welcome Isabelle Priest’s insightful exploration of contemporary Scottish rural architecture and are honoured to see Kyle House celebrated alongside a selection of exceptional and inspiring projects that collectively reflect the richness and diversity of Scotland’s architectural landscape.
Photography by Fran Mart