A sustainable design ethos

2 Jun

It was always our philosophy that No.9 should ‘walk gently’ on the landscape of this beautiful island, both in terms of its design, based on that of a traditional Scottish longhouse updated for modern living, and in terms of the way we occupy the space we have created.

The exterior is covered with Scottish larch, a sustainable, locally-sourced timber which provides a durable and natural cladding, that ages beautifully allowing the building to sit sensitively and unobtrusively within its setting.

The interior reflects the textures and finishes of the landscape around it with furnishings being carefully selected for their form and function.

An air-source heat pump, mechanical ventilation heat recovery system and a super-insulated construction means the house requires very little energy to heat and maintain. Our electricity is supplied by Octopus Energy, the UK’s leading green energy supplier, and our water comes straight off the hillside opposite which is then naturally filtered before reaching the house. The innovative kitchen tap dispenses cold filtered water, for drinking, as well as boiling water which is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than the use of a traditional kettle or bottled water.

Our lovely housekeeper lives just down the bay, which is where our laundry is also done, eliminating transport to the mainland and supporting the local economy. We provide natural cleaning and laundry products for our guests to use during their stay and we encourage recycling wherever possible. Whilst we do supply a tumble dryer, to help combat the vagaries of the Scottish weather, we also supply an external washing line and internal drying rack as alternatives.

We are also slowly regenerating the land around the house, encouraging native flora and fauna to develop a natural and sustainable coastal landscape. Our hope is that No.9 will eventually become one with its unique island terrain.