{"id":6999,"date":"2023-08-15T15:24:48","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T15:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scotslion.co.uk\/?page_id=6999"},"modified":"2023-08-21T02:36:01","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T02:36:01","slug":"kc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/scotslion.co.uk\/home-page\/kc\/","title":{"rendered":"kc"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Keeper’s Cabin<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Insulation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Walls + Ceiling + DG Windows<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This page has a specific example of what could, and in our view should be completed to ensure lighthouse buildings are brought up to a viable and enduring standard. Including enhanced insulation and modern rewired electricity circuits etc. The main focus of this page is Noss Head Lighthouse Station: Keeper’s Cabin. Herewith photos of “before,” “during,” and “after” renovations.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

^ Keeper’s Cabin ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Noss Head Lighthouse Station<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Wick, Caithness, KW1 4QT.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The widow of the previous owner was kind enough to send us their old photograph albums. Included therein are pictures of what used to be known as “The Bothy.” This is when the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) owned the buildings at Noss Head Lighthouse Station, up until the 1990s. The Bothy was temporarily joined to the adjacent premises and more recently returned to the original two dwelling\/semi-detached layout as per this current and up-to-date floorplan…<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0The word “Bothy” is interchangeable with “Keeper’s Cabin.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

^^ The Old Bothy. ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Noss Head Lighthouse Station, Wick, KW1 4QT.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

But first, a small segment to see what can happen if the endeavours narrated and illustrated on this page are not completed…\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Preventing Ruination<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

It may be helpful to other lighthouse station owners to see how this small “Lighthouse Bothy” building was improved in a way that makes it possible to earn its own keep: to be able to provide a proper, warm and dry home, or a very useful and productive investment property income. Either way, we have seen far too many lighthouse ruins. Here is Ailsa Craig Island and its lighthouses…<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

^^ Ailsa Craig Island Lighthouse Ruins ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When we owned the Ailsa Craig Island Lighthouse Station between 1999 and 2001 these buildings were habitable<\/span>. Our MD was working as a Harbourmaster on the mainland in Argyll (to the West) at the time and it was a 36 mile round trip from his vessel’s home to the Ailsa Craig Pier. Sadly it became unfeasible to renovate from such a long distance with weather that was more lively “Atlantic Ocean” than calm “River Clyde!<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, Ailsa Craig Island is only 8 nautical miles (<\/b>here<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong>) to the East from mainland Girvan Harbour. <\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

^^ Ailsa Craig Island Lighthouses ^^<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Consequently the difficult decision was taken in 2001 to sell the Ailsa Craig lighthouse buildings to someone from the east side mainland who would be able to commute to the island <\/b>regularly<\/b><\/span>\u00a0and renovate the buildings. 22 years later, our MD’s heart is broken at the state of the place and he has been endeavouring to buy the buildings back so as to complete the renovation. <\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

=> During the intervening 22 years, 14 other lighthouse buildings have been renovated (36 since we started in 1987). This page illustrates just one of these restorations.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We have been very fortunate. Especially with matters such as hyper-insulation efforts. Long before the electricity and gas bills started rocketing, it was policy to make sure all of our buildings were insulated to the maximum (and where Listed Building Consent allows) each lighthouse property is double glazed. <\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

=> The substantial savings in heating bills can be deployed in that vital budget-head: maintenance. Please, please do not skim on annual maintenance.<\/span><\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

All buildings, especially lighthouse structures do no like having maintenance matters missed.<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ailsa Craig Island Lighthouses (Here<\/a><\/span><\/span>)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now to the main feature of this page…<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Noss Head Lighthouse Station<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Keeper’s Cabin Renovation<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

This is a large lighthouse station covering approximately 39 acres (35 after charity matters were settled). <\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

The bulk of the estate at Noss Head\u00a0<\/b>included<\/b><\/span>\u00a07 lighthouse buildings. The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) still retain the lighthouse tower. We bought the rest of the site on 23rd May 21017 (here<\/a><\/span><\/span>) three years after the founding charity trustee had passed away in 2014.<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

^^ Noss Head Lighthouse Station ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It is important to note that…<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

=> The Clan Sinclair Trust and Trustees (click here<\/a><\/span>) were helpful to us in ways that meant the Noss Head lighthouse buildings were saved<\/span><\/a><\/span> from a similar fate than that which had sadly befallen the Ailsa Craig Lighthouse Station.<\/span><\/b><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Even with the best of efforts by the Trustees and Patron (plus a Herculean endeavour by the late Ian Sinclair’s bereaved partner), the very thing that makes lighthouses so picturesque is the precise cause that is the author of so much collateral damage and near-misses…<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

^^ La Jument Lighthouse ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photographer: Jean Guichard<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe Treat Yourself To A Picture<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Click Here<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

That matter which haunts lighthouses are the upper echelons of the Beaufort Scale (here<\/a><\/span><\/span>).<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

=> The best remedy for lighthouse building preservation is for them to be inhabited. To make this so, it is crucial to insulate the buildings and keep them in good order.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

You just need to spend a few minutes on the internet Air B&B etc., to see how popular and fully booked former lighthouse keeper accommodation becomes. This is a virtuous circle. It ensures the buildings really do earn their keep. That helps keep them in tip-top condition. <\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Also, from a lifetime living in lighthouse buildings, our managing director can assure our readers that the weather is much more akin to the next photograph than the “lively” La Jument lighthouse pictured above.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

^^ Noss Head Lighthouse Station ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This loch was made larger so as to provide coolant for the electricity generating system in the Lighthouse Engine House.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After 36 lighthouse buildings, we have no hesitation in spending the funds to ensure this work is completed and as a consequence, each lighthouse building so renovated, will last for many decades and provide inspiration and beguiling accommodation for those fortunate enough to own one of these rare items, or to spend a holiday at a lighthouse station.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

We are happy to present one of the six buildings that we managed to recover from being “tired” and heading towards a state of dilapidation. This and many other renovated lighthouse buildings are our atonement for what happened to the Ailsa Craig lighthouse station after we sold it 22 years ago in 2001<\/b><\/em>.<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Keeper’s Cabin<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

T<\/strong>he old detritus and bunk-beds cleared to the rubbish tip…<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Old Bedsit Bothy. ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Originally a single bedroom for cooking, sleeping ~ everything.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It was damp, cold and draughty.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The footprint of this single leaky and draughty “Bothy” room followed that of several other lighthouse stations. A shared utility room was assigned to the use of this property. <\/b>Thereby<\/b><\/span>\u00a0making the area habitable and not substandard (curing the damp and insulating the ceiling and walls also helped ~ a lot).<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A “historic” wooden (oak) lintel was removed and a regulation purpose designed concrete lintel was inserted above the door. This may only be a single-storey building with minimal loading above the door, but it is still important to deploy materials that were and are up to to the required standard. Fortunately, the author of this important part of the building (which is now behind plasterboard and other completed building materials) was astute enough to make sure a photograph was taken to evidence the fact that this door now has an up to date lintel properly <\/b>embedded<\/b><\/span>\u00a0within the structure.<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

^^^ The Old PLK Store ~ Now “KC Lounge” ^^^<\/strong><\/p>\n

This old store was an utter waste of space in a magnificent and beautiful location. This could have been turned into valuable real estate decades ago. If folk need to store clutter, rent a storage unit in town with no view. The Keeper’s Cabin will make the eventual buyer of this house a very nice home or a particularly useful rental income. Next door at Principal Keeper’s House (here<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/span>), that beautifully located sister building has been booked solid in Dr and Mrs Makins first year as a holiday letting property.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

<\/h3>\n

Staying with Keeper’s Cabin, there are six rooms in this building. All have\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span>been fully renovated.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

High Specification Insulation + Vent + DPC (Damp Proof Course)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Here is the Old Bothy Bedroom<\/span> being transformed and renovated after the damp-proof-course and interstitial ventilation was effected at the outer wall and a new inner wall with substantial insulation in the walls and ceiling formed part of the renovations. A comparison to the earlier photo in this segment may prove useful<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

First Fix: Electrical & Plumbing Installed. Then Plasterboarded<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Insulation With TV Mount Support Panels<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The proximity of this can be seen by the midwall plug socket (left wall)…<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Plastered & Painted<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The New Walls + Windows + Ceilings<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

New television fitted to the wall mounts (left hand side)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Make this house feel dryer, warmer and more economical to heat.<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Some Spare IKEA Furniture Has Been Located Free of Charge.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This next photo is the room pretty much completed a_ underlay + carpet + furniture.<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

No more having to climb over a toilet seat to get to a <\/b>claustrophobic<\/b> shower.<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Carpets + Furniture + Bed<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The kitchen is completely rewired, and replumbed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

^^ Now A Fully Functional Kitchen ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

^^ Originally This Room Was A Coal Bunker ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Then it became the “site-office” for the whole lighthouse station whilst the other buildings were being renovated.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

^^ Temporarily An Office ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now the final transformation has been completed and this is a very useful kitchen.<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Hot water supplied by efficient, <\/b>instantaneous<\/b><\/span> under-sink systems…<\/b><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Retruning through to the bedroom from earlier photos supplied…<\/strong><\/em><\/span>S.<\/b><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

^^ Keeper’s Cabin Bedroom ^^<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

From atop the lighthouse can be seen the full lighthouse compound with commanding views available from each window at Keeper’s Cabin…<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Noss Head Lighthouse Station.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Showing The Peninsula & Distant Boundary Wall <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Taken From The Lighthouse Tower<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

UPS27 Owns 2 Buildings + 6 Acres + A Loch + Walled Garden + A Private Road<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

+ A Sea Stack +\u00a0 Three Small Island.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

***********<\/p>\n

\n

Old Photos Just Arrived<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Yet To Be Annotated…<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This Is The Old Bothy Bedroom. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Driveway is a 1\/2 mile round trip to take the bins out.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The van above is doing just that ~ towing a wheelie bin!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

There is around 1.2 miles of private road owned by UPS27. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Noss Head Lighthouse Tower<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes the sheer beauty of this place makes you catch your breath and stop. The summers have two hours more daylight than London due to proximity to the Arctic Circle of Noss Head. But imagine owning this loch? It is a delight to sit here of an evening with a cup of coffee or glass of wine. Several times a year there is an amazing murmuration of starlings. <\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The first time I ever saw this, was gifted the sight, was at Noss Head whilst sitting with a cup of tea by the loch. Seriously, there are somethings that really do stop you in your tracks. Strangely, a lot of these awesome events have been up at the lighthouse station. I didn’t have a video camera that evening, but here is what you may well have as a treat by the loch…<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n