SEEING THE LIGHT

A SOULFUL, SPIRITUAL HOME HAS BEEN CRAFTED FROM THE REMNANTS OF AN OLD FARM IN MORAY

- Catherine Coyle

When architect William Reynolds got a call asking him to come to Carse Stables near Ardersier, he thought he was there to provide some friendly advice about how to deal with the flooding that had recently occurred in the area. In fact, he was about to get involved in a truly impressive project. Chinese businesswoman and philanthropist Qu Jiangting had purchased the land and had begun drawing up plans with architect and urbanist Dr Vivi Wang for the 40 acres of farmland where she was hoping to make her home. Her aim was to create a space where her family and friends could gather to enjoy this lovely slice of Morayshire countryside, but at the same time she was keen to build a centre in which to practise meditation, teach yoga and observe the tenets of Tibetan Buddhism, welcoming students from all over the world.

“Scotland’s scenery is particularly beautiful,” she says. “The forests, the clean air and the snowy mountains of the Highlands feel very similar to Tibet. It gives me a sense of calm and serenity.”

Reynolds, whose studio is in Dingwall, was intrigued by what he heard. “We started talking about her plans and I was brought in to work on the drawings,” he says. It was a shrewd move. By using a local architect, Qu Jiangting would gain access to a team of tried-and-tested trades, contractors and craftspeople to work on this unique project.

“It was a derelict farm with a cluster of buildings including a workers’ cottage, an L-shaped steading with an annexe, and kennels, sheds and stables,” recalls the architect. “What we did was to take the same basic shape that was already there but build bigger and higher.”