Set on the dramatic coastline of north Skye, Flodigarry Hotel occupies a remarkable position overlooking the Minch, framed by the rugged landscape of the Trotternish Peninsula. Originally conceived as a late Victorian hunting lodge, the building has evolved over time, its character shaped by both heritage and incremental change.
Our approach sought to restore clarity to this historic structure while enabling its next chapter as a contemporary Highland destination. The design is driven by a simple principle: retain the primacy of the original villa, and allow new interventions to sit quietly alongside it. Later additions are removed, and new accommodation is introduced as a series of set-back, carefully proportioned forms, ensuring the original gables and roofscape remain dominant. The result is an extension that reads as a subtle, secondary layer, reinforcing rather than competing with the existing building.
Project Status: Planning
Date Submitted: 2026
Client: Wickman Hotels
Planning: Ness Planning
Engineers: Woolgar Hunter, Harley Haddow
Fire: Jensen Hughes
QS: Reid Mitchell HD
Materially, the palette draws directly from the site, buff stone, slate and muted metalwork, creating continuity with the original fabric, while contemporary detailing provides a clear distinction between old and new. A new bedroom wing and reconfigured interiors elevate the guest experience, while a glazed restaurant pavilion, set into the landscape, is oriented to capture expansive views across the sea.
The building is deliberately understated, partially embedded within the ground and softened by a planted roof, allowing the landscape to remain the defining element.
Together, the proposals reposition Flodigarry as a refined, design-led retreat—rooted in its setting, and shaped by a careful balance of heritage and contemporary intervention.
