Here in Scotland, we have a lot of coastline – around the intricate geography of the west coast, along the great firths of the Clyde and the Forth, circling our islands, and beside lochs large and small. The architecture in these coastal locations is varied. From village cottages and remote houses that stand alone over the water to seaside-town villas and luxury holiday accommodation, our waterside architecture is a key aspect of our practice.
Scottish architecture has been shaped by the water for centuries. Our coastal locations, climate, culture, and geography have influenced the way these houses were built. Think about traditional waterside croft houses and fishermen’s cottages – thick-walled structures built from local stone designed to withstand fierce weather with small windows to keep in the heat. Then there are those grand seaside villas of the Victorian era, designed to capture sea views while maintaining a sense of shelter.
Today, coastal homes in Scotland blend this heritage with modern innovation, incorporating open-plan living, expansive glazing, verandas and balconies, and sustainable materials. With advancement in materials, we no longer need to have small windows to keep in the heat.
A modern coastal home designed by us might echo the past through its core aesthetic and materials (we’re big fans of Scottish stone, slate, and timber), while embracing contemporary living through light-filled interiors and energy-efficient systems. This blend of old and new is central to successful coastal design.
Here at Thomas Robinson Architects, we have designed scores of Scottish coastal homes. Our ingrained understanding of working in rural and remote areas, and our refined knowledge of both traditional and contemporary designs means we know what will work where and how to accomplish the best possible house for the client and the coastal location.
Types of coastal homes
Our Scottish coastal architecture projects range from traditional white farmhouse or croft-style dwellings to impactful contemporary designs and many traditional styles.
A completed coastal home on the Solway Firth, for example, was designed to reflect the character of nearby houses using simple palettes that resonate with the surrounding natural beauty of the Solway Coast. However, we gave the interior plan a far more open and flowing design than those of its Victorian neighbours and allowed the house clear views of the water.
Meanwhile, in this B-listed Highland lochside villa, we extended it to accommodate a much-needed bigger kitchen complete with loch views. We knew we must also adhere to the delicate design and beauty of this unusual house, and from outside the extension appears as if it had always been there. The client’s detailed brief was to ensure every inch of space was well used. They also wanted a deck to look out across Loch Goil on summer evenings.
In a different style that echoes wood-clad homes of New England yet feels in place here on the isle of Arran, this lovely newbuild home has a holiday feel, complete with wraparound partly covered balcony to make the most of the sea view, sunsets, and coastal air. The upper-level living is also centred around enjoying that coastal proximity with the sea visible from all the rooms.
Another newbuild West Coast Island home has a modern sensibility, clad entirely in vertical Siberian Larch board and batten with a dark black profile metal sheet roof. It’s typical in scale to other island houses, and the barn – housing the bedrooms – nods to traditional Scottish island barn design. Its low-slung feel means it enjoys easy access to the outdoors and the beach.
For this Argyll traditional lochside newbuild in the grounds of Knockderry Country House Hotel (which has parts designed by William Leiper), we managed to gain planning permission where others had not, and the finished building is extremely sympathetic to its surroundings. It feels as if it belongs in the space. It is a successful, sustainable, new large family home, ideal for the owners’ needs.
Orientation for the site of your coastal home
Where your new house will sit on its coastal house isn’t always as straightforward as you might think. One of our skills is in positioning plans so that you not only get the absolute best waterside or sea views, but that the light hits each part of the house in the right way.
On sloped coastal sites, clever design is needed to ensure the most house is achieved within planning limits. Views of the water must be maximised – this can mean second-level living with bedrooms on the ground floor or designing into a slope. Or stretching a house out in more rural barn style to reduce visual impact from elsewhere. There are many ways to create a great house while sticking to strict rules for coastal homes.
What makes a great coastal home?
Coastal environments are demanding, and great architecture must respond intelligently.
Durability
Salt-laden air can corrode materials, and exposure to wind and moisture requires robust construction. We often specify materials that weather naturally like stone, timber, or zinc, to ensure longevity and minimal maintenance.
Connection to the landscape
Coastal homes should maximise views and natural light, often through large windows or carefully positioned living spaces. Our designs use glazing strategically to frame the water while maintaining shelter from prevailing winds. We also prioritise making it easy for exterior living spaces to connect with the house, making moving in and out seamless.
Site responsiveness
Coastal plots can be steep and exposed. A key but often hidden aspect of design is for homes that sit successfully within the landscape, often partially embedded within it. This can involve stepped forms, elevated structures, and layouts that follow the contours of the land.
Sustainability and energy efficiency
Modern coastal homes often incorporate renewable energy systems, high levels of insulation, and Passive design strategies to reduce environmental impact while ensuring comfort year-round.
Bringing a coastal home vision to life
Your coastal home should be somewhere that connects immediately with its surroundings. The best Scottish coastal homes capture the drama of the landscape, provide shelter from the elements, and offer warmth, comfort, and a sense of calm.
With our skills offering a combination of regional expertise, design versatility, and meticulous attention to detail, we understand not only how to design beautiful coastal homes but how to make them work. Practicality is essential (a place to throw off wet things, dry pets, and keep clutter out of the way is nearly always part of a coastal home), sustainability means living in harmony with the environment and keeping costs down, and aesthetically, you can trust us to design a fitting house to your brief that sits harmoniously within Scotland’s extraordinary coastal environment.
Building a new coastal or lochside home in Scotland? Contact us today.