Houzz Tour: Glory Days Again for Converted Scottish Lighthouse
A dilapidated lighthouse on the shores of Loch Ness has been beautifully renovated to become 2 stylish vacation rentals
On the northern edge of Scotland’s Loch Ness, by the banks of the Caledonian Canal, sits the wee Bona Lighthouse. It is one of only two inland lighthouses in Scotland and was built in 1815 by celebrated engineer Thomas Telford. This modest building guided shipping through the narrow stretch of water that leads into Loch Dochfour, with light supplied by a lantern on the upper floor of the octagonal building.
After more than 160 years, electric lights replaced the lantern, but the building had been empty since 2000 and had fallen into disrepair. Owner Scottish Canals recently renovated Bona Lighthouse, and in September it was reborn as a stylish vacation property. The original lighthouse building is a getaway with two bedrooms. The converted stables and adjoining supply store are a smaller space with one double bedroom.
After more than 160 years, electric lights replaced the lantern, but the building had been empty since 2000 and had fallen into disrepair. Owner Scottish Canals recently renovated Bona Lighthouse, and in September it was reborn as a stylish vacation property. The original lighthouse building is a getaway with two bedrooms. The converted stables and adjoining supply store are a smaller space with one double bedroom.
The entrance to the lighthouse has space for muddy boots and pegs for coats. Clanfield was inspired by the beautiful paint shades manufactured by Little Greene when she put together the color scheme for the property.
A woodstove keeps the lighthouse living room snug, while built-in shelves are home to a photo frame with a charming image inside. “I found an old photographic portrait of a couple and put it here with the idea that they could have been the lighthouse keeper and his wife,” says Clanfield.
The living room in the lighthouse is octagonal, with views right down Loch Ness. “I wanted to have a best-room, parlor feel in here,” Clanfield says. Muted shades, comfortable furnishings and the woodstove help pull this off.
Blind fabric: Linwood; rug: The Braided Rug Company
Blind fabric: Linwood; rug: The Braided Rug Company
The kitchen in the lighthouse has simple bench seating to accommodate guests. “The ‘Whistle’ sign was an original piece used on the canal,” Clanfield says. “It was found in one of Scottish Canals’ other properties.”
Kitchen blind fabric: Harvest Hare by Mark Hearld, St. Jude’s
Kitchen blind fabric: Harvest Hare by Mark Hearld, St. Jude’s
The master bedroom sits in the octagonal lighthouse; to fit in a double bed, Clanfield had to position it in the center of the room. “It meant I could design storage space behind the headboard,” she says.
The downstairs bathroom in the lighthouse is decorated in watery blues. “The bath has a pebble-encrusted panel to echo the small pebble beach on the edge of the loch,” Clanfield says.
The lighthouse’s downstairs twin bedroom is home to lots of locally produced tweed. “I was keen to use the Knockando Woolmill tweeds, as I wanted to support the mill,” Clanfield says. “I later found out that LDN Architects, who worked on this property, had been the architects for the restoration of the wool mill, so it all tied in nicely.”
The wood paneling is original. “It looked so nice in its original state,” says Clanfield, “so we just rubbed it down and sealed it.” The width of the boards on this paneling dictated the look of the rest of the paneling throughout, which is made from grooved MDF.
The fireplace was originally in the room that is now the kitchen–dining area, but it took up valuable space, so Clanfield had it fitted in this bedroom, where it fits nicely. “It had been sprayed bronze in the past, and Historic Scotland said we had to keep it that way,” Clanfield says. “I would have preferred to paint it black.”
The wood paneling is original. “It looked so nice in its original state,” says Clanfield, “so we just rubbed it down and sealed it.” The width of the boards on this paneling dictated the look of the rest of the paneling throughout, which is made from grooved MDF.
The fireplace was originally in the room that is now the kitchen–dining area, but it took up valuable space, so Clanfield had it fitted in this bedroom, where it fits nicely. “It had been sprayed bronze in the past, and Historic Scotland said we had to keep it that way,” Clanfield says. “I would have preferred to paint it black.”
The space adjoining the lighthouse, which had been used as stables and a supply store, is now a separate vacation rental. “I wanted this space to retain some feeling of the previous use, without being clichéd,” Clanfield says.
There were some planning restrictions, such as keeping part of the cobbled floor, and this led to including the exposed stone wall. “It all suggested a semi-industrial feel for the space,” Clanfield says, “but then I added comfort with the soft furnishings.”
There were some planning restrictions, such as keeping part of the cobbled floor, and this led to including the exposed stone wall. “It all suggested a semi-industrial feel for the space,” Clanfield says, “but then I added comfort with the soft furnishings.”
“I had seen an old photo of the lighthouse showing the keeper and his wife, and they had a terrier with them,” Clanfield says. “The dog on this cushion looks similar and is a reference to that previous inhabitant.”
Jute pillow: Bertie, Plum & Ashby; hunting fabric: Linwood
Jute pillow: Bertie, Plum & Ashby; hunting fabric: Linwood
The bedroom in the stables flows off the cozy, open-plan living area. “The exposed stone cobbled floor is uneven, so I couldn’t put a console against the far wall,” Clanfield says. “Instead, I had this shelving and the log store made and fitted to the wall.” The Douglas fir used for these pieces came from Timber Stone in Aboyne.
Flooring: engineered oak, Russwood
Flooring: engineered oak, Russwood
To gently reference the property’s position next to Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal, Clanfield brought in vintage pieces with a suitable history. The large light over the dining table is from a ship.
Clanfield has used paneling throughout the stables and the lighthouse. “It gives character back to this building, which has changed over the years and lost much of its original feel,” she says. “It also protects the walls — important in a holiday property — and here makes a nice backdrop to the bed. I didn’t feel feature wallpaper suited this house.”
Built-in wardrobes provide ample storage. “They also make the room a better shape, as it was long and thin,” Clanfield says. “I had the bed made slightly shorter than the norm to fit across the room, so you can lie in it and enjoy the view.”
Kantha quilt: Rebecca’s Aix Home; side tables: Loaf; rug: The Braided Rug Company
Built-in wardrobes provide ample storage. “They also make the room a better shape, as it was long and thin,” Clanfield says. “I had the bed made slightly shorter than the norm to fit across the room, so you can lie in it and enjoy the view.”
Kantha quilt: Rebecca’s Aix Home; side tables: Loaf; rug: The Braided Rug Company
“The curtain between the bedroom and living room was lined like a tweed jacket, and is tucked back with Mulberry leather tiebacks,” Clanfield says.
Fabric: Mulberry Home Flying Ducks, GP & J Baker
Fabric: Mulberry Home Flying Ducks, GP & J Baker
Clanfield had built-in storage created for the stables’ bathroom, in the same Douglas fir used in the living area for shelving and log storage. A large laundry cupboard sits on the other side. “I always make sure there’s plenty of storage in a holiday property like this, both to make it a pleasant stay for guests and to give the housekeepers somewhere to store all the changeover linen,” Clanfield says.
As mentioned, Bona Lighthouse is now two vacation rentals, with the larger one incorporating the original lighthouse tower.
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
Browse more homes by style:
Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
What it is: An inland lighthouse divided into 2 vacation rentals
Location: Loch Ness, Inverness, Scotland
Year built: 1815
That’s interesting: Bona Lighthouse was once Britain’s smallest manned lighthouse.
Interior designer Emma Clanfield joined the project in early 2014. “I worked with the architects, LDN Architects, to design the built-in elements,” she says, “and made changes to the bathrooms and kitchens to make them more exciting.” Clanfield had worked on several Scottish Canals properties and was given control over the concept for these two vacation homes.
“I begin by looking at the building, its history, location and significance,” Clanfield says. “I then add my style, which is contemporary and comfortable. As I originally trained as a textile designer, I also work in lots of fabrics and textures, too.”
The lighthouse helped boats and ships negotiate the narrow waterway that links Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour. A lantern in the upper floor, in what is now the master bedroom, guided them safely.