Queen Victoria's Picnic Lodge
Located amongst native woodland on the Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve near Braemar, Britain’s largest National Nature Reserve, the project has saved the lodge from Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register. The cottage is Moxon’s first completed building for Mar Lodge, as part of a wider programme of planned works for the Trust to secure the long-term future of the estate’s buildings through restoration and renovation.
‘This project exemplifies important values - despite its small size, the architects gave the utmost care and attention to every detail. ’
American Institute of Architects Award Citation
Built around 1850, the single-storey granite cottage is Category C listed with timber framed roof trusses and remnants of historic harling to the external stonework. It is a rare example in Scotland of the use of larch roof shingles and timber twig detailing on the three primary dormers.
The cottage has been restored using local materials, with timber shingles sourced through a local contractor to blend with historic original features and the local landscape. In addition to repairing the fabric of the building, the wooden covered entrance porch has been reinstated to the exterior of the property, an original feature of the cottage discovered through historic survey drawings during archival research for the project.
Moxon’s comprehensive survey of the existing structure enabled an approach that required minimal interventions while being durable and resilient – something key to the building’s remote location, challenging climate, and role as a visitor attraction.
The practice worked closely with Aberdeenshire Council and conservation specialists to successfully balance preservation and modernisation to safeguard the building’s history and ensure its 'fairytale' charm remains intact for years to come.
