The camera never lies – or does it?
At first glance, Ravens’ Craig Tower near Plockton looks like the sort of distinctive landmark building that has witnessed centuries of history, and the sort of building that would be home to generations of the same family who have defended it with pride.
But amazingly, that’s not the case. This distinctive property is a modern Tower House, designed by and built for the current owner, the highly respected Scottish architect Ian Begg.
Despite looking like it has been around for centuries, it was only completed in 1992. The layout and style were developed from many years of Ian’s experience as architect on many old castles and tower houses.
The house, which enjoys views over Loch Carron towards the Applecross peninsula, is truly unique – it’s not a copy of anything. Owner Ian said the attempt was made to get the feel of an old place that doesn’t shake in storm conditions and would get the economy of building and heating a house on a small footprint.
Although firmly rooted in the tradition, this home is very much a 20th century building with concrete block walls, underfloor heating. There’s even a lift shaft.
Ravens’ Craig Tower offers good-sized living space across four floors, while there’s also a basement with workshop and wine cellar.
The main entrance is on the groundfloor where the accommodation includes a main entrance, conservatory, living room/dining room, well appointed kitchen, utility room, boiler room and WC. The generous turning stair in the east tower is traditional and leads to the Great Hall which occupies most of the first floor.
This really is a stunning room with a spectacular ceiling which is modelled on the triangular panelled ceiling in the room of the Five Queens’ at Chenonceau in France (Mary Queen of Scots was one of the queens). The Great Hall has windows in all four external walls and an antique French chimney-piece which makes a wonderful focal point in this warm and welcoming room.
From this level a smaller circular stair with open newel and neat edge detail leads up to the bedrooms. The idea behind the design of this stair is taken from the 17th century secondary stair in the Borromini church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontana in Rome.
A lift shaft has been built with guides, but no lift has been installed. Instead there is an electric hoist used to bring up logs for the Great Hall fire and heavy luggage.
There’s a chair lift on the secondary stair. The second floor has a master bedroom with en suite shower room two sets of walk-in wardrobes; two further bedrooms, a family bathroom and separate WC, while the third floor has large studio and a tower bedroom.
The lower floors are constructed of concrete beams with intermediate block spacers finished with Spanish clay tiles on the ground floor and Scots stone tiles and oak framing in the Great Hall but throughout the house there are numerous features such as rooms with archways, traditional-style wooden doors and ceilings.
Outside there is a projecting Italianate loggia which is great for the summer months and alfresco dining/entertaining.
The property sits in around five acres of mostly wild garden with sloping lawns and two paddocks, one each side of the driveway to the tower.
There is also a fruit and vegetable patch with a polytunnel. A large industrial shed has been built in the lower part of the garden and is accessed via its own driveway.
The area surrounding the house, which is on the market at offers over £675,000, is spectacularly beautiful. Plockton, which is around three miles away is regarded as one of the UK’s most beautiful locations and enjoys a mild climate thanks to the Gulf Stream.
Painted cottages, palm trees on the waterfront and a backdrop of stupendous wooded crags lend Plockton an exotic charm and make it postcard-pretty.
Sheltered by a headland from the wind and open sea, the small community is located at the mouth of Loch Carron. There are unspoiled coral beaches on the shore and you can wander over the crags and moors and round the lochs of the hinterland. Plockton has a nice range of amenities and good road and rail links.
Contact: Strutt and Parker on 01463 719171.
