Steading Redevelopment 

Project: Pitnacree Steading 

Location: Nr Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland 

Completion date: 2024  

Scale: Basement including garage – 276 m2. Ground – 287.90m2.  First – 201m2.  

Services: Creative concept direction; architecture; interior architecture; exterior architecture. Tender and overall project management through to completion including contract administration.

The Brief

Pitnacree began as a ruined steading on a hillside outside Aberfeldy. Most of the original structures had reached the end of their life and were carefully demolished. The client’s ambition was to create a contemporary family home rooted in the character of rural Perthshire while meeting modern standards of comfort, sustainability, and craft.

Our Approach: 

Rebuilding with Respect
Key sections of the original stone walls were retained and reconstructed, anchoring the new home in its historic footprint. Materials — local stone, traditional lime pointing, zinc, and timber — reflect the vernacular of the area while supporting durability and authenticity.

Designing Around Constraints
Planning restrictions prohibited windows on the south elevation. We turned this into a defining design feature by introducing dramatic rooflights, allowing natural light to flood the interiors while preserving privacy and compliance.

Sustainability at the Core
An air-source heat pump provides renewable heating. Reclaimed timber doors were repurposed into bespoke joinery, reducing waste while adding warmth and character. Every design decision balanced aesthetics with environmental responsibility.

The Outcome

Pitnacree is more than a replacement home — it is a sensitive redevelopment that honours the site’s heritage while embracing contemporary living. The final three-level house balances generous family spaces with crafted details, modern sustainability measures, and a landscape that feels truly part of the Perthshire hillside.

The project demonstrates how modern Scottish architecture can respect tradition, respond creatively to planning challenges, and deliver a rural home ready for the future.

To discuss how MSA Architects can help bring your vision to life?