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Plans revealed to convert former Highland manse into tearoom that would appeal to fans of Outlander series


By Val Sweeney

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Wardlaw House at Kirkhill.
Wardlaw House at Kirkhill.

Plans have been revealed to convert an 18th century former manse into an exclusive tearoom and holiday letting unit which could attract fans of the hit TV drama series Outlander.

Wardlaw House at Kirkhill, which is said to be gradually degrading, was put on the market four years ago.

New owner Lorraine Middleton wants to sensitively preserve the building’s beauty and open it to more visitors by creating four holiday units and a small tea room.

She aims to focus on local history plus tourism connected to Outlander which is set against the Jacobite uprising and features a fictionalised version of the Lovat Fraser clan.

The B-listed building is near Wardlaw Mausoleum, once the burial place of the Lovat Frasers.

Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Council supports the application provided there is adequate off-road parking but residents at a nearby house have objected, raising concerns about the potential for increased traffic.

They also say there is already a community café in the nearby hall which raises money for the community fund.

The application, lodged with Highland Council, includes supporting information by Andrew Tognarelli, of Kerr AT Architects.

He felt the proposal to create an exclusive tearoom and four guest rooms amidst the 19 rooms and two staircases and five landings seemed reasonable.

"Our client regards the building as a critical asset and are keen to retain any and all historical features, minimising any significant impact or loss of fabric as much as possible," he continued.

He also maintained that a change of use would help better preserve and enhance the use of Wardlaw House for future generations.

He said in 2021, no one would build a single house so large except for the "few and far between" rich elite.

"We believe Wardlaw House is beginning to outlive its use as a large domestic family dwelling – currently being too big, expensive and inefficient to heat, light and provide hot water," he states.

"It is unlikely that Wardlaw House could easily be maintained as a domestic dwelling by a contemporary family as running costs are expensive."

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