Posted on by Lesley

Milestones

We have a building warrant at last!

Our final inspection was successful, the certificates for air tests, EPC rating and electricals have all been submitted, and we received building warrant approval a few days ago.

To say that we are relieved and emotional is an understatement.

This house build has been a mammoth undertaking with the bulk of the learning curve and the hard work landing squarely on Hugh.

It’s easy to forget that we didn’t start this journey expecting to have to build this house ourselves four years ago. It was a decision that was made for us by the failure of our builders and the rapidly escalating costs of materials and labour during lockdown and beyond.

If Hugh hadn’t stepped up to the plate and learned how to fit guttering, insulation, MVHR ducting, underfloor heating pipes, wiring and electricals, all the plumbing and the groundworks and countless other things we wouldn’t be here today.

I am so proud of him and his perseverance in the teeth of such adversity.

There have been times that I despaired, truly worried that we would lose heart completely and that we would never finish the build. There have been so many let-downs and disappointments along the way. But there have also been friends who helped and sustained us throughout this process.

We’ve done it.

There are of course lots of cosmetic things still to finish in the house – painting, skirting boards, door threshold plates, a terrace etc. Is a house ever truly finished? It’s always evolving, a moving feast. We still have no artwork up on the walls and a shed full of boxes remain unpacked.

But we have an energy efficient, warm home, one that’s strong enough to withstand the highland storms and hold us safely.

I love the open space, the light, the views, the feeling of being within nature, surrounded by open croftland as we are. I love being so close to the sea and being on top of a hill with the skylarks and ravens and swallows wheeling around us. I love the kindness that we’ve experienced from people who’ve embraced us as part of the local community.

We celebrated with a large sausage roll with cranberries, a glass or two of fizz and a few happy tears.

Very long cranberry sausage roll and fizz

We’ve done it.

15 Replies to “Milestones”

  2. Congratulations! I have been following your blog right from the very beginning … following along through all your setbacks and successes. I found you at the same time we were looking (and bidding but later pulling out) at a property on Knoydart. We were interested in Heb Homes and were excitedly planning and calculating our dream home.
    Your adventures were a good lesson for us as we continued to search for a piece of land to build our home. We eventually decided that building was probably not for us and turned our searches toward exploring existing homes . Over a few years we bid on a handful of properties…still hurts me about that one in Port Appin…and learned along the way.
    Our search ended last December as we successfully bid on a charming Crofters Cottage just north of Ullapool in Elphin. We are in love… with our house (needs some work though), the area of Assynt (Suilven ❤️) and our hard working generous crofting neighbors.
    I still can’t believe you lived in the caravan and survived those conditions. Bravo to you and Hugh.
    Keep posting and sharing your life with all of us. And especially the lovely pictures of Knoydart.

    Cheers, Peggy

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’m so pleased that you’ve found your crofters cottage! That’s a stunning area of Scotland. And that any of the mistakes we’ve made and challenges that we’ve been through have helped inform you in any way. And thankyou for sticking with us for such a long journey! Wishing you much happiness and best of luck with your renovation and new life in the Highlands ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. many congratulations! You have a beautiful homemade home to be very proud of. They always say that if the design is right then the house will pay you back in spades and the trials will fade away! But I think it’s good to remember the journey and enjoy the triumph.

    Wishing all the love, comfort and joy xxxx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  4. Congratulations! I have been following your blog right from the very beginning … following along through all your setbacks and successes. I found you at the same time we were looking (and bidding but later pulling out) at a property on Knoydart. We were interested in Heb Homes and were excitedly planning and calculating our dream home.
    Your adventures were a good lesson for us as we continued to search for a piece of land to build our home. We eventually decided that building was probably not for us and turned our searches toward exploring existing homes . Over a few years we bid on a handful of properties…still hurts me about that one in Port Appin…and learned along the way.
    Our search ended last December as we successfully bid on a charming Crofters Cottage just north of Ullapool in Elphin. We are in love… with our house (needs some work though), the area of Assynt (Suilven ❤️) and our hard working generous crofting neighbors.
    I still can’t believe you lived in the caravan and survived those conditions. Bravo to you and Hugh.
    Keep posting and sharing your life with all of us. And especially the lovely pictures of Knoydart.

    Cheers, Peggy

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Congratulations, no mean feat in the face of adversity, drama, not to mention a lot of googling!!!

    Happy Crimbo in your newly approved home!!

    Rxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, my friend. It’s just paperwork, but necessary. And more than that, it’s official recognition of all that Hugh has achieved, which feels good

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment