You’d never know from the outside that this 18th-century cottage on a farmstead just outside Edinburgh contains a pair of matching minimalist holiday lets. The Cartshed and Washhouse at Eastside farm were renovated by owners Michael Rummey and Jenny Cowan to provide a tranquil retreat that makes the most of views towards the surrounding gardens and nearby mountains.
Eastside is a working farm that has been in Cowan’s family for several generations. In the 1990s, her parents were among the first farmers in Scotland to diversify their business by offering self-catering accommodation.
The steading containing the Cartshed and Washhouse had been converted at this time but was in need of a refresh. To help increase potential revenue, Rummey and Cowan made the bold decision to split the building into two compact cottages arranged on either side of a new covered lane that connects the farmyard with a lush garden.
The Cartshed interior. Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Courtesy Eastside Cottages
The snug. Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Exterior of the Eastside Cottages – now split into two private accomodations. Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Courtesy Eastside Cottages
The Washouse interior. Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Courtesy Eastside Cottages
Rummey has a background in architecture and Cowan in landscape architecture, so the pair knew that a modern design could help them stand out in a competitive market. Preserving the steading’s traditional appearance was important in order to maintain the farm’s character, so the couple focused their attention on the interior.
‘We wanted to do justice to the vernacular cottage but without pastiching or copying it in any way,’ Rummey explains. ‘We felt the exterior would be better served by adding a contemporary interior of equal architectural worth that provides an interesting contrast.’
The only way to create the space required in each unit without altering the existing stone walls was to lower the floor level by digging down into the bedrock. This allows the open-plan interiors to be separated by level changes rather than internal walls, with new vaulted ceilings enhancing the sense of spaciousness.
The owners worked with local architect Iain MacLeod and engineers SF Structures to ensure the available space is optimised and intelligently detailed. The built-in furniture in both cottages was handcrafted by carpentry firm Bodan Workshops, including kitchen units that double as storage for the living area and an ash window bench used in lieu of a sofa.
‘We were effectively converting one holiday cottage into two autonomous units so the tolerances were incredibly tight,’ says Rummey. ‘All of the spaces perform more than one function so every element has to be very considered to prevent it feeling crowded or cluttered.’
In each cottage, metal steps lead up to a compact kitchen and dining space that is separated from the bedroom by a slatted timber screen. A shower room is tucked away in a corner behind the interior’s only door. In the Cartshed, a ladder provides access to a mezzanine snug nestled beneath the eaves.
A desaturated and minimal material palette helps to create a calming atmosphere inside the accommodation. Large picture windows added to the rear elevation allow the changing landscape outside to become the focal point and main source of colour, while a wood-burning stove and sheepskin throws add to the cosy vibe.
Rummey says the renovated Cartshed and Washhouse – which are available to rent from £910 – £990 per week – have proven popular with guests looking for architecturally interesting accommodation, as well as those seeking a break from the stresses of everyday life. ‘The people who stay with us are really appreciative of the details and the quality of space,’ he adds. ‘They recognise the work we’ve done to create something special that respects the history of the building and this amazing place.’
