The Cowieswells Project: December 2012

Welcome

Cowieswells is a derelict farm south of Stonehaven in NE Scotland. We were lucky enough to acquire the place in August 2010 when we were moving back to the UK from Norway and looking for something to match or even better our previous, fjord-side home. The farm house and steading (barns) command an impressive and exposed cliff top location with fantastic views across the North Sea. The buildings were constructed from sandstone in a traditional style and our goal in rebuilding it is to be sympathetic to the original design whilst creating a much larger house which is modern, efficient and maximizes the unique views.

Since we bought the place we have spent over a year working with architects, planners and generally doing stuff that doesn't make for interesting reading. This blog picks up the renovation process in late 2011 when work outside got started. Over the coming months it will be updated every week or so with pictures, movies and the odd bit of text. Like Grand Designs but without the suave sarcasm of Kevin McCloud.

Monday 24 December 2012

Christmas 2012

We had initially hoped to be in for Christmas this year but the weather and Nordan have conspired against us. Its good to have this blog and to be able to look back and realise how far we have come in the last 9 months because at times it seems really slow.

All of the windows are now in and the place is finally fully wind and water-tight. The taper has been in and most of the plasterboard is taped up. The relevant parts of outside has been rendered, now all thats left is
Second fix plumbing and electrics, bathrooms, tiles, flooring, kitchen fitting, cupboards, painting and the garden.

Current plan says we will be in by the end of Feb. we shall see.

In the meantime wishing you all a Happy Christmas

Saturday 1 December 2012

Week 38

I have been away in the Middle East for two weeks so I was pretty excited to get back and see what was happening. Things have really slowed down since the windows were delayed. There has not been anything to do inside until the place is wind and water tight. Outside the stone masons, who never cease to amaze me with their talent have been building the outside walls. Those are now finished.

When I got down there on Thursday, the Bothy windows were in. That looks fantastic and gives a taste of what the other bits are going to look like. There was also a front door and the external walls were all finished. Even more exciting there was a large pile of windows which had finally been delivered. I was back on on Friday afternoon and the joiners had already put most of them in. I also chatted to Ian (the foreman) and he said that they should be finished with the windows early next week which should see things speed up again.