Achnacree Bay View, North Connel, Argyll and Bute

This contextually driven house is defined by its harmonious relationship with the surrounding mountains, sea lochs and sky. Set close to the rural hamlet of North Connel in Scotland’s Argyll and Bute region, its striking silvered-larch and stone-clad façades have been cleverly orientated to make the most of the sublime surrounding views. The wrapping garden stretches to around a third of an acre; it has been cleverly cultivated under current ownership and is home to a handy garage/workshop. The house, a part of Achnacree Bay View, lies around six miles north of the popular western coast town of Oban and 95 and 120 miles north-west of Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively.

The Designer

Based on the Isle of Skye, Rural House is a collaboration between the architects Rural Design and designer and builder James Macqueen. The practice was founded in 2003 by Alan Dickson and Gill Smith, who initially worked from a home studio looking across the Outer Hebrides. Their work is modern and progressive, pairing simplicity with richness, depth and robustness, with a drive to combine raw West Highland agricultural vernacular with Scandinavian modernism and durable sustainability.

Environmental Performance

Conceived to maximise energy efficiency, the house was constructed using a bespoke, heavily insulated timber-framing system. It has an air source heat pump and a whole-house MVHR system that provides ventilation all year round.

The Tour

The landscape beyond the edges of this house is defined by nature and local farming pursuits. Tucked into its craggy environment, the house shares an access road leading to Achnacree Bay View - a small gathering of contemporary homes that follow the fringe of the adjacent shoreline.

Although assuredly contemporary, the house yet manages to blend into its surroundings by referencing the local vernacular in a sympathetic way. Its form is simple in silhouette, guided by an understanding of local forms and materials. The result is a handsome home in a beautiful rural setting, with a plan configured to maximise the sweeping surrounding views.

Entrance is to a handy lobby, which has plenty of space for hanging coats and storing boots. Adjacent is a utility room, and beyond is a hallway that leads to the living area.

The living area is an impressive and embracing space with swathes of carefully positioned floor-to-ceiling glazing. An ever-changing and beautiful quality of natural light dances in throughout the day.

Loosely divided, the sitting area is centred around a cosy wood-burning stove. In warmer months, glazed sliding doors allow a seamless connection to the outside where a terrace stretches beyond. Minimally designed, the kitchen has white countertops above generous runs of simply detailed cabinetry housing Miele appliances.

With attractive and far-reaching views, the first of the house's three double bedrooms lies at the other end of the plan and forms a quiet, private retreat. A WC/shower room completes the ground-floor layout.

A neatly positioned oak staircase ascends to the first floor, where there are the two further double bedrooms. Access to the main bedroom is through a generous dressing area, which could neatly double as study. A large en suite bathroom lies alongside and there is plenty of storage tucked into the eaves. The third bedroom also has generous storage and lies adjacent to a smart shower room.

Outdoor Space

The house is rooted on an elevated plot, with around a third-of-an-acre of gently inclined grassy slopes and flat planted terraces stretching towards the bounding shoreline.

A driveway sits to one side and gives generous parking for several cars. The spacious garage/workshop - insulated, ply-lined and with water supply and drainage - provides excellent space to create and potter and for everyday gardening equipment, bicycles and wet suits.

Visually anchored into its surrounding landscape, the garden reflects the rugged Scottish terrain while providing several spots to gather. The current owners are keen gardeners and have created an array of rockeries and raised beds, interlaced with shingle paths and chock-full of colourful planting and delicious produce. White tailed eagles and pine martins fly overhead while red squirrels caper between native trees and edging hawthorn hedging.

At night, the sky is ablaze with stars and, on occasion, the aurora borealis.

The Area

North Connel is a rural hamlet on the north side of Loch Etive; the Connel Bridge connects the community to the south shore of the loch, around six miles from Oban. This bustling seaside town is known as the gateway to the islands and home to many of the Calmac ferry routes running to and fro the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

The house flows seamlessly to the adjacent beach, where afternoons can be spent walking, beach-combing or foraging for for an evening's barbecue. Invigorating wild swimming and paddle boarding are available year-round, and there is a slip, shared among the Achnacree Bay residents, to launch small boats.

The house is ideally located for mountain walking, hiking and cycling, with the surrounding wilderness and landscapes inspiring and extraordinary for wildlife watching. The Caledonian Way, a 234-mile bike ride, runs over the nearby bridge. Also close by is Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve. Rich in oaks, ashes, mosses, lichen and rare wild flowers this a beautiful place to walk through forest glades. Around eight miles north, at Barcaldine, is Sutherland’s Gove , a further enticing hiking spot, while Beinn Lora provides a more challenging local climb.

The area is a foodie destination, with renowned restaurants Pier House Hotel, Ee-usk and the Oban Seafood Hut on the doorstep. For simpler fare and a gentle browse through the bookshelves Ben Lora Café and Bookshop, Sitheag and Roxy’s Tea and Coffee House offer a delicious choice of brews and snacks, while Oban Chocolate Company is a terrific stopping off point to sample innovative sweet delights.

Glasgow and Edinburgh, with regular rail services and flights to London and other UK and European destinations, lie around 95 and 120 miles south-west. There is a direct rail link between Glasgow and Oban.

Council Tax Band: E