May 18 2023

Detailed proposals to transform a former fishery in the heart of Central Scotland into a leisure resort have been presented by Fraser/Livingstone Architects and Real Estate Wealth Development Group.

Set on the northern shoreline of the Black Loch, close to the village of Limerigg, the work will enhance the site as a location for fishing swimming and water sports by providing holiday lodges and a cafe.

Reclaiming a brownfield site the new additions centre on a retained boathouse, which is to be reclad and wrapped behind a timber loggia for its new role as a 'Big Bothy' restaurant pavilion.

This is joined by 12 timber-lined lodges clad in corrugated steel, which snake their way along a ridgeline to the west. Projecting roofs offer sheltered verandas with corner windows opening onto private decks to enable guests to make the most of the land and waterscape.

Outlining the vision in a press statement the architects wrote: "The coherent collection of new forms sit perched over the existing boat-lined jetty, offering shelter and sustenance against the expansive backdrop of water stretching across the southern horizon.

"Turned to face towards the water, the forms splay out in a sequence of fingers that respond to the existing topography, reducing the lodge's impact from the water while providing snippets of views to the Loch from the approach."

Working with Rankin Fraser Landscape Architecture the team propose a programme of tree planting between the lodges to connect with Limerigg Wood. A play space is also planned, inspired by the coal bings that dominate the former mining landscape.

The design team includes Urban Animation, Will Rudd, DKI Consulting Engineers, David Adamson Group, Ecus and Transport Planning. 

13 Comments

#1 Posted by Randy Hall on 18 May 2023 at 11:19 AM

Delightful. Well considered and beautifully illustrated.

#2 Posted by MV on 18 May 2023 at 11:50 AM

I like the boathouse, a lot. I do not like the centre-park lodges.

#3 Posted by Great Uncle Beet on 18 May 2023 at 14:19 PM

Hopefully this will not be hampered by the ill considered NPF4.

#4 Posted by Cabin Lover on 18 May 2023 at 15:38 PM

I completely disagree with #2 MV. These timber lodges are basically giant hugs in the form of buildings. The warmth captured by the super-insulated walls wraps around you like a fuzzy blanket, making you feel like you're living inside a giant, eco-friendly conker. It's the perfect place to curl up with a good book, sip hot cocoa, and giggle uncontrollably at squirrel antics through the window.

#5 Posted by Alan Dunlop on 18 May 2023 at 16:21 PM

Really fine project, supported by lovely images. Good luck with it. Aerial view in particular.

#6 Posted by MV on 19 May 2023 at 09:17 AM

#4 you are talking about the inside of the cabin. The inside might be awesome and have the ability to give you a big hug. Externally they are identical cabins in a repetitive formation. If there was some variety to the composition of each cabin or at least variety in the positioning of each cabin, it would look much better.

Really like the boathouse though.

#7 Posted by Cabin Lover on 19 May 2023 at 13:24 PM

Again, I completely disagree with #6 MV.
Do they know anything about the intricacies of hospitality design? These cabins stand proudly, shoulder to shoulder, showcasing their wonderful form. It's a symphony of visual harmony that pays homage to the wonders of repetition. Just like the delicate petals of a flower or the rhythmic waves crashing upon the shore, these cabins remind us that nature itself embraces repetition in all its splendour. They are also arranged in a flowing curve, mirroring the coastline forms. Consider the breathtaking pattern of a flock of birds flying in unison, each wingbeat perfectly synchronised. Similarly, these cabins, with their repetitive design, create a mesmerizing visual rhythm that resonates with the world around them. It's as if they've tapped into the secrets of nature's grand symphony. Look closely, and you'll see that repetition is woven into the very fabric of our planet. Take the awe-inspiring honeycomb structures, each cell meticulously replicated. In a similar vein, these cabins stand as a testament to the architectural brilliance that repetition can bring. They embrace the power of consistent design, offering a sense of familiarity and harmony that is both comforting and awe-inspiring.

#8 Posted by MV on 19 May 2023 at 14:17 PM

I'll be honest #7, I didnt get all the way to the end of your poetry.
If you look at the "Guests will enjoy open aspects across the loch" image, they look like half built bungalows plonked, plonked and plonked.
But... each to their own. You enjoy!

#9 Posted by Cabin Lover on 19 May 2023 at 14:24 PM

#7 MV, for once we are in complete agreement. Imagine, if you will, a team of cabin enthusiasts armed with a plonking wand, gracefully plonking each cabin into its designated spot with utmost precision. Plonk! Plonk! Plonk! It's like a synchronized ballet of architecture, choreographed to create a stunning curve that pleases the eye and warms the heart.

Who needs tedious calculations and complex algorithms when you can simply plonk cabins into place? Forget about fancy angles and intricate measurements. Just give those cabins a gentle plonk, and let the magic of curve formation unfold.

#10 Posted by Great Uncle Beet on 19 May 2023 at 14:49 PM

#4 - I tried to sit on a concur once... it wasn't pleasant.

#11 Posted by Cabin Lover on 19 May 2023 at 16:26 PM

I completely disagree with #10 Great Uncle Beet. In my experience develping luxury conker spa days, sitting on a conker can provide our guests with an Instant wake-up call: Sitting on a sharp conker guarantees you'll be wide awake in an instant, as the prickly sensation jolts you into a state of alertness. No need for caffeine or energy drinks! Consider it a free, unconventional acupuncture session. Sitting on a conker can also provide a unique and intense form of acupressure, stimulating various pressure (and pleasure) points across your body, like a luxury spa. However, it's important to note that professional acupuncture is considered safer and more effective. Sitting on a conker can also make for a memorable and entertaining story to share with your holiday friends. Your tale of a daring encounter with a prickly plant is sure to elicit laughs and incredulous reactions, becoming a humorous anecdote for years to come. Guests that visit the Limerigg Resort will all want to sit on conkers!

#12 Posted by What are you all on about? on 19 May 2023 at 20:29 PM

Black Loch, Limerigg? Aye, right.
The word wasteland doesn't do it justice, nor does blasted heath. Still, Airdrie's just next door.
Enjoy.

#13 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 19 May 2023 at 22:43 PM

If this had appeared during the first week in April I think I would have been able to understand the vibe in play.

As noted recently -- leisure activities in this area / on this scale are a challenge to the worldview of folk of a certain vintage like myself.

However it might represent the transformation of the central belt from an industrial dog's breakfast to a budget version of the Highlands that is easier to reach.

Not the first leisure build in the area -- if the quality is good enough and the ongoing management is properly resourced it might just work.

Still a shock though -- good shock but a shock nevertheless.

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