My Highland build 'blog'

[GetCarter]

I know some of you have seen this (those who frequent the photography forum on this site for a start, plus the Highland contingent) - but some here may not have, and may be interested.

For the past year I've been trying to self build a house I designed on the west coast, 100 miles north of Fort William.

The build is now half way through and has been somewhat challenging to say the least - trying to get trades out to that part of the country is extremely difficult. And when they *occassionally* DO try they often get lost or stuck.

Anyway, if you have a spare 10 minutes - you might like a laugh. The blog will continue until either the house or I am finished (It's a 50/50!)

www.stevecarter.com/build/build.htm

(Some sound on the site - so those at work should dim the speakers; also those un-broadbanded should be warned that there are lots of photos)

Steve



>> Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 23 February 12:13

[joncastle]

Hi Steve,

I've read every word, and it's priceless! Can't wait till the next installment. Hope you're weathertight in the current cold - having lived for many years in Thurso, and climbed every single peak around you, it's easy to appreciate just how awful it can get.

Must stand you a beer next time we're round that way.

Orrabest from the dust

Jon

[mad-dot]

Compelling reading there, you're a brave man, but that location is stunning!

[jamieboy]

Saw it linked from another self-build thread on here somewhere, can only agree with the comments above - it's a good tale, well told, and beautifully illustrated.

We're sort of thinking about the same thing, but struggling both to find a plot and to fully commit to the idea, although I suspect we won't be able to do one without the other.

Stories like yours (despite your trials) show that it can be worth the effort - I'm looking forward to updates as you get nearer to finishing.

[Corpulent Tosser]

Just finished reading the blog, got a bit of a shock with the Hallelujay sound for the tilers turning up, fortunately the volume is on low (I am at work).

I wonder how, or if, you have retained some semblance of sanity going through all that, butI am sure the finished result will be worth it.

Good luck with the rest of the build.

Murray

[tvrolet]

Stunning house in a stunning location. It will be absolutely fabulous when its done. I can sympatise with what your going through, as I designed oor hoose to fit a plot ovelooking the Forth Bridge. But I certainly didn't have your issues of dealing with Fins, or the difficulties of the location. Although I did have the electrician from hell, who had no more idea about wiring things up than fly in the air. I think you're being really brave with all the hi-tech heating/water/drainage. We were going to do underfloor heating, but after much intaking of breath from the contractors, standing and looking, quite a few sighs, periods of dead silence we said sod it, just put in radiators. They then perked up instantly, being back on familiar territory.

I look forward to the next installment...

[G20RG B]

I was up in Inverness on busness last week and managed to find a few hours to go for a drive . I went to Lochcarron then Shieldaig,Torridon,Kinlachewe and back to Inverness.
I have to say the scenery was fantastic last Tuesday with beautifull clear blue skys at 8.00-10.00am. I was fortunate to have my camera with me and got some great snaps, I stopped at the shop/filling station next to the Torridon Hotel ,and the Hotel does look nice. Hope to be back in April /May for a drive with my TVR Tuscan.

[cj_eds]

joncastle said:

Hi Steve, I've read every word, and it's priceless! Can't wait till the next installment. Hope you're weathertight in the current cold - having lived for many years in Thurso, and climbed every single peak around you, it's easy to appreciate just how awful it can get. Must stand you a beer next time we're round that way. Orrabest from the dust Jon

Since I left Thurso, its funny how everywhere I go there's someone from there... Its not even like its a big place to have spawned so many folk to migrate across the world!

The blog is superb. I'd previously watched Grand Designs and thought "I want to be building that house one day". Not any more!

I'd be interested to know how well the heating works. Relying on Solar power to operate the heating pump in the middle of winter seems a bit risky to me - especially so deep into the highlands...

[GetCarter]

Thanks chaps.

Murray - thanks for the tip about the Handel. I'd forgotten that was on there. I've added a warning at the top of the thread.

As for the solar panels... well they are just there to 'top up' whenever they can. The heat pump will just circulate the water from the 60 metre deep boreholes and a condenser (working kinda' like the opposite to a fridge) will get the water to the required temperature. Well that's the theory. I'll let you know if it's crap! The heating company guarantee 21C in -2C ambient. We'll see. Queenie has just put the same system into Buck Palace (she nicks all my ideas) and even though the plot is in the Highlands, being SO close to the sea (and the Gulf Stream) it hardly ever reaches freezing there (Unlike London). As you well know, 5 miles inland it's like Norway of course, and if the ice cap melts and the Gulf Stream collapses... I'm screwed. But then we all are I guess.

I've been sourcing / buying all the electrical fittings for the whole house today - switches, spotlights, dimmers, sockets, wall lights, top lights, outside lights, and on and on and on ... what bank balance!

Steve

[rossybee]

Excellent stuff Steve!

You must have the patience of a saint...


What you need is another Caterham to regain some sanity

[Corpulent Tosser]

GetCarter said:

Thanks chaps. Murray - thanks for the tip about the Handel. I'd forgotten that was on there. I've added a warning at the top of the thread. Steve

It was fine, I fully appreciated the sentiment, getting tradesmen to turn up for relatively small jobs can be difficult, for a project like your it must be horrendous, and a great feeling when they actually do turn up on time.

The guy who sits behind me at work (duka) was looking at your website yesterday afternoon, I was working/surfing away and suddenly heard it again, i don't know if he got the same surprise as I did, but I laughed anyway.

Keep up the good work and keep us all informed.

[Andy M]

Steve: I've been following your build diary with much as it mirrors the pain I'm having with a project of mine

One thing I wanted to ask is; the joist picture in the image below - is it the biggest/thickest joist in the whole of Scotland, or an illusion?

[GetCarter]

No it's an optical illiusion. I'm staning very near it.

If you look below you'll get a better idea of the size (they are BLOODY heavy mind!)



We want pics of yours!

Steve

[Andy M]

GetCarter said:

We want pics of yours! Steve

Mine's relatively boring compared to yours - certainly not interesting enough to write up a blog.

I've chucked up a couple of pages of how mine looked BEFORE and AFTER (very much still ongoing).

Apologies if you're on dial-up - there are quite a few pictures on there. Also, there are quite a few dark images - my g/f has nicked my p&s to take on holiday and I'm having to use a 5D without flash or tripod.

EDIT: oh, forgot to add - it's a development property which we're currently converting into a ground-floor flat and maisonette

>> Edited by Andy M on Wednesday 12th April 10:01

[GetCarter]

Andy M said:

oh, forgot to add - it's a development property which we're currently converting into a ground-floor flat and maisonette

Looks like hard work Andy - where is it? (doesn't look like London anywhere I know)

[Andy M]

GetCarter said:

Andy M said: oh, forgot to add - it's a development property which we're currently converting into a ground-floor flat and maisonette Looks like hard work Andy - where is it? (doesn't look like London anywhere I know)

West Kirby, near Liverpool/Chester.

The project needs to be finished in under 16 weeks so I've set a building team on it. Means I can bark orders without getting my hands dirty

[gofasterrosssco]

Can't believe you lost the triple garage (hang your head in shame).......Thats stuff of dreams for us current flat dwellers (as is the house come to think of it).....

Stunning 'pad' and not too shabby a location. Good to see a bit of sustainable design, although perhaps you dont have to much choice out there.

Ross

[GetCarter]

gofasterrosssco said:

Can't believe you lost the triple garage

I know. It's a tragedy.

However: I have a single garage, a new car port and parking for 3 others, so this way I get to waste even more money

[stig]

Blimey - and I thought building and blogging supercars was a nightmare!

Hat's off to you Steve, I'm sure your efforts will be rewarded with a stunning property at the end

Keep it up

[kennyctr]

Andy M said:

Steve: I've been following your build diary with much as it mirrors the pain I'm having with a project of mine One thing I wanted to ask is; the joist picture in the image below - is it the biggest/thickest joist in the whole of Scotland, or an illusion?

[lurking Engineer mode]Its a Glulam beam rather than a joist, by the looks of things[lurking Engineer mode]

Best of luck with the rest of the project, being reading it for a while.