An Tigh Dubh, Isle of Skye

An Tigh Dubh, Tarskavaig, Isle of Skye (2009)

In 1928 the MacDonalds moved out of their tiny thatched blackhouse. Eighty years later the same family decided to rebuilt the abandoned dwelling and turn it into a stunning, modern home.

The blackhouse was in ruins and had a small footprint. To free up space the back wall was removed, with the kitchen and storage then built into its depth.

The idea of the 'tobhta' - the exposed internal wallhead - was retained. This conceals an LV tube which lights the vaulted ceiling in the living space - a room known in Gaelic as 'aig an teine' - at the fire. The fire of the new blackhouse is a woodburning stove which supplements the underfloor heating. The gable of this room has been broken open with a large fixed window which has a deep window seat in oak.

A generous and luxurious shower separates 'aig and teine' from a double bedroom at 'briaghe and taighe'. Again storage has been built into the back wall and there is also access to a storage loft.

The front elevation of the building remains the same as the original, with small asymmetrical windows. The slate roof hints at the surprise inside. The hidden back elevation is clad in Scottish larch rainscreen - the secret of how this tiny blackhouse could become a beautiful, spacious house.

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Dualchas Building Design