Scottish architect — Sustainable Architects Scotland

Timber, Lime & Hemp

Carbon negative construction, using materials with no harmful chemicals.

Building Lean

Using efficiency and simplicity as a principle for responsible design.

Colin BaillieMay 26, 2025Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Dispatches from the Scottish Highlands

A recent conversation with Architecture Today on our approach to materials and making.

Colin BaillieApril 17, 2025Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

On Scale and Generosity

Building small does not need to come at the expense of generosity.

Colin BaillieJanuary 10, 2025Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

As Found

Working within the hollowed-out shells of former agricultural buildings, the impulse to act is measured against a will to do as little as possible.

Colin BaillieOctober 14, 2024Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Notes on the Nature of Building with Wood

We’re drawn to the softness and warmth of buildings that resonate with their origins in nature.

Colin BaillieJune 13, 2024Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

The Act of Making

Construction follows much planning. It’s a time for precision as well as reflection.

Colin BaillieMay 13, 2024Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Out with the New

Notes on the beauty of imperfection and the legibility of craftsmanship.

Colin BaillieDecember 11, 2023Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Fabric First

Putting material choices and sustainability at the centre of the design process.

Colin BaillieNovember 17, 2023Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

The Versatility of Clay

Some thoughts on the use of clay, and clay plasters.

Colin BaillieOctober 13, 2023Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Craft, Tradition & Atmosphere

A beautiful photographic essay by Tom Stark.

Colin BaillieAugust 16, 2023Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

A Cottage & A Farmstead

An accompaniment to our exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy

Colin BaillieJuly 4, 2023Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Hands-on

Topping out at Taigh-bàta, and reflecting on the process of making crafted buildings.

Colin BaillieJuly 3, 2023Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Universally Beautiful

We agree with Frank Lloyd Wright that ‘wood is universally beautiful to man’.

Colin BaillieMarch 30, 2023Scottish architect, Modern architect scotland, Architect Scottish Highlands, sustainable architects, sustainable architects scotland, eco home, eco architect, Eco Design, eco architect scotland, architect, Architecture, Local, local materials, natural home, natural buildings

Quick Guide - Holiday Let Licences

Holiday let licenses are a hot topic at the moment, and we’ve been asked by several clients to help clarify how this might effect their business or project plans.

Colin BaillieJanuary 18, 2023Holiday letting, Ecotourism, Scottish Highlands, Scottish architect, Self build architect scotland, sustainable building, sustainable architects scotland, holiday let business scotland

Breathing Buildings

Buildings need to breath! Most new homes are hermetically sealed, and are constructed using synthetic, Petro-Chemical based materials. We’re interested in alternatives.

Wallpaper* - Minimalist Scottish farmhouse built for longevity

After 18 months of hard work by all involved, it’s been amazing to finally share images of Kepdarroch Farmhouse. We’re delighted by the response from the press, and really enjoyed reading the recent feature on Wallpaper.com.