Hope Lodge is a Category B listed sporting lodge, purpose-built in the late nineteenth century and situated on the shores of Loch Hope, west of Tongue. Originally occupied during the shooting and fishing seasons, the building now forms the centrepiece of the wider Hope Estate, a new vision of hospitality that celebrates the dramatic rural Sutherland landscape of lochs and mountains whilst conserving and rehabilitating them for generations to come. 

The project sought to preserve the character and integrity of the original lodge while adapting it for contemporary use. Existing stonework, painted timber detailing and slated cladding roofs have been carefully repaired, while lost architectural features, including the tall rubble-stone chimneys, have been reinstated to re-establish the building’s distinctive silhouette. 

To the north, a sensitively designed extension draws upon the Arts and Crafts language of the original building, creating a new two-storey wing and conservatory that strengthen the relationship between the dining spaces and the surrounding grounds. To the south, a contemporary basement extension is discreetly embedded within the hillside, opening dramatic views across the landscape while minimising its visual presence. 

Internally, new spaces excavated below the original ground level connect the old and new elements of the building. Natural materials and carefully crafted detailing create a calm and tactile interior environment that reflects the colours and textures of the Scottish landscape beyond. 

A pedestrian tunnel links Hope Lodge with the Clachan, providing safe access beneath the A838 and connecting the estate’s various elements. Clad in locally sourced stone and incorporating a suspended steel walkway above the existing burn, the tunnel transforms a practical piece of infrastructure into an integral part of the visitor experience. 

Photography by WildLand. More via wildland.scot