This 18th-Century Doocot has Been Turned into a State-of-the-Art Self Build Home

“Angus Council have a specific Planning Policy for the creation of houses in the countryside, that they will support the creation of a new house via the ‘Conversion of a Non-residential Building’ that is redundant and no longer required. This allows the construction of a house whilst facilitating the restoration of the existing listed building in the countryside, on a site that would normally never be allowed to permit a house. This is due exclusively to the fact you are incorporating the restoration of the existing building.”

The main gable of the double-height open-plan living area faces West over the countryside. The patio area has been built here to enjoy the evening sun

The Doocot itself has a very small footprint of approximately 16m², meaning that realistically the structure could only be used to form a single room. “We explored constructing a new house around it. At a very early stage Mike was keen for the Doocot to be his office and the key issue was how to design a building around the existing historic bit,” says Jonathan. “In developing the initial design we were very aware that the new build element had to sit comfortably with the existing structure, both visually and from a planning perspective – where we knew they would insist that the new structure would not visually dominate.”

The original elements have been sensitively combined with the new structure

Several different options had been discussed with Mike. The emerging preference was for a wraparound design, that would not only respect the existing building in form, but in scale and detail. The final plan that was approved by the local council was for a 1.5-storey L-shaped house, with a combed roof at upper levels. This meant the new build roof ridge sat below the highest point of the Doocot, allowing the exiting building to be the highest and most important part of the build.

The design separates the new house from the Doocot via a new single-storey circulation strip that wraps around the existing building. This allows the new house to connect lightly to the Doocot with glass at each side that exposes the restored stone walls internally. “Jonathan knew exactly what I wanted,” says Mike. “I had the idea in my head and he put it on paper very quickly. We had a few tweaks, but nothing changed from the initial design.”

Wraparound self build

The build went on site in June 2024. The main contractor, West Development, employed a project manager for the full build. Although Mike, who rented a property nearby during the build, left the professionals to do it, he took on the decorating himself.

“The team was great to work with from the start to the end, helping when there were materials to be finalised, sometimes guiding me in the right direction when I went a little bit off piste,” says Mike. “I did the decorating, from the mist coat to the wood protection. I think there was a bit of trepidation from the contractors as they were working to a timeline, but I worked every evening and weekend, including boxing day at 6am. Always with my Newfoundland dog, Sully, by my side. If I had to do it all again, I would want this team on my journey – they were fantastic.”

The build features a mix of natural stone, white render and standing seam (aluminium) cladding

What materialised around the Doocot a year later in June 2025 was a new 1.5-storey timber frame building, constructed of three main materials: natural stone, white render and standing seam metal (aluminium) cladding to the walls and roof.

The ground floor is completed in white render and the upper level features a standing seam metal wrapping up to form the walls and roof. This forms a visual separation for the two levels, with the new standing seam element offering a strong contrast to the existing listed building. The listed Doocot was carefully restored into a new office space with a small opening created from the main hall. The stone walls and slate roof have been repaired. A main feature is the retention and display of the Doocot pigeon stalls via an illuminated feature wall.

The glazed gable ends help to create a bright, light-filled interior

The ground floor features a large open-plan area, with a double-height living space to allow a large, glazed feature window to the west opening out onto the patio area. Another key feature is the beautiful, open tread stairwell with glass balustrades, which leads up to the upper level’s three bedrooms, including a large master suite with a vaulted ceiling and an all-weather covered balcony to enjoy beautiful south views across the Angus countryside and to the Tay.

Creating a unique home

Light and views were key considerations. Carefully placed windows and glazing allow views through the house to the landscape from the main entrance. One of the bedrooms has been stepped back to allow a small viewing area visually connecting the living room with the upper floor, plus a through-view from the stair to the west.

The careful placement of the triple-glazed windows and rooflights optimises solar gain. In terms of additional efficiency measures, the property features high levels of insulation, an air source heat pump powering the underfloor heating, and rooftop PV panels and battery storage to bank surplus energy when needed.

“One of my favourite aspects of the new house, which costs around £80 a month to run, is the heating system. You wouldn’t know it’s on as there is no noise, just a cosy feeling,” says Mike. “I can still remember how run-down the Doocot was on my first visit. Seeing what it has become is amazing.”

WE LEARNED…

• Find the right architect and from there the process will fall into place. Mine was instrumental in appointing the main building contractor. Also listen to advice from your building contractor – this is what they do day in, day out, so they know what they’re talking about.
• Waiting on planning consent was frustrating. But don’t fight the planners – try to work with them and listen to their reasoning. They know what works and what will look right and are only doing what is best for the building.
• If you’re working full time, don’t underestimate taking on parts of the project yourself. It consumed my life for nine months.
• My initial mortgage provider valued the plans for the house and severely undervalued the finished project, so at the 11th hour we had to find an alternative lender and fast track the process, which we did. I can’t thank the lender enough for the help they provided throughout the stressful process.