Part of the wider Killiehuntly Farm complex in the Cairngorms, the steading building once served as a working part of the agricultural landscape. Over time, the structure had deteriorated and was being used for storage and farm use. GRAS undertook a careful process of renewal, returning the building to its original U-shaped form, arranged around a cobbled courtyard that sits quietly at the heart of the site.

Each wing of the steading was adapted to support the needs of the contemporary estate. One side now houses the laundry and estate office, with a meeting space that serves both practical and communal functions. To the rear, within the footprint of the original hayloft, a compact self-catering retreat has been introduced. The plan is modest and efficient. A small kitchen and shower room are tucked into the lower level, while a large bedroom and sitting space occupy the upper floor. A new Douglas fir stair links the two levels, bringing warmth and light to the interior.

As with the other buildings at Killiehuntly, the material approach balances care and restraint. Lime-plastered walls and exposed timbers frame each space, preserving the agricultural character of the building while accommodating comfort and simplicity.

To the side of the courtyard, the original water wheel has been carefully repaired. New oak blades and a replacement launder were fabricated and installed by Knockando Blacksmiths, who also cast new metal sections to complete the structure. The restored wheel now turns once again, linking the present life of the steading to its working past.

The project draws together utility, craft, and quiet atmosphere. It adds another layer to the evolving story of Killiehuntly, where traditional buildings are reimagined with care for their context, materials, and memory.