The National Trust for Scotland restores a picnic cottage once enjoyed by Queen Victoria in the Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve
Nestled in native woodlands in Britain’s largest nature reserve, Mar Lodge Estate (near Braemar, Scotland), a royal picnic cottage has been restored to its former glory.
Moxon Architects undertook the restoration for the National Trust for Scotland, a charity dedicated to preserving Scotland’s cultural and natural heritage. A celebration of the past, the cottage is a testament to how the royal family spent its vacations at Balmoral.
Built in the 1850s by Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, the granite cottage is a Category C listed building, with timber-framed trusses and historic features, such as remnants of harling to the external stonework.
Moxon’s work went beyond preserving the structure, with the practice also striking a balance between conservation and modernization so that future generations can appreciate its history and the surrounding landscape.
The cottage is a rare example in Scotland of the use of larch roof shingles and timber twig detailing on the three primary dormers. This project is part of a wider program of renovation work for the Trust to ensure the long-term protection of the buildings on Balmoral Estate.
Moxon used local materials for the restoration, such as gray roof shingles sourced from a local supplier, to ensure the cottage perfectly integrates with its setting. The architects also paid particular attention to reinstating the original entrance porch, returning it to its original beauty.
Other elements of the project included installing new timber sash windows and a new timber front door, which blends with the other architectural elements to give the cottage a welcoming feel. The brickwork was repointed with lime mortar.
Inside, new timber flooring was laid on new joists, while the existing fireplace stonework was repaired and replaced as needed. The timber roof structure was sanded and hand-oiled for a dark exposed finish, while the original fireplaces and chimneys were restored to working condition.
>>> Discover Bunkie on the Hill, designed by Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
Location: Braemar, Scotland
Architect: Moxon Architects
Client: National Trust Scotland / Mar Lodge
Photography by Ben Addy, courtesy of Moxon Architects