Blairs Home Farm: Pond Cottage, Altyre

Picturesque Italianate group of detached farm steading buildings all harled with considerable use of contrasting polished and tooled ashlar dressings and margins. POND COTTAGE: simple single storey, 3-bay S facing cottage with centre door flanked by enlarged windows. End stacks; slate roof. Modern extension at rear.

Modern cattle shelter in centre of square not included in listing. Most unusual complex of outstanding interest. Change of Category B to A 25.4.89 (Historic Scotland)

April 1989: The farm is upgraded to a category A-listing. April 1996: External inspection reveals the complex to be greatly disused and suffering from lack of maintenance, although partly occupied. November 1996: The modern sheds within the cattle court are removed. SCT understands the Altyre Estate is considering proposals for alternative uses. 18 December 1998: The Northern Scot reports that the complex is being marketed by Bidwells of Inverness for long term lease. The agents note that most conversion schemes would be appropriate, although the site would particularly lend itself to conversion into offices, a visitor attraction, or educational facility. January 2000: Local planners are unaware of any change. May 2003: The owners report that they have been granted Planning Permission for the renovation of the farm buildings. September 2004: The renovated farm buildings participate in the Doors Open Days events. Set to SAVED.

February 2009: A planning application for redevelopment of the site as rural offices and residential accommodation was granted in 2003 (ref: 02/01755/FUL). An application to extend the time limit on that permission was lodged in 2008 and no decision has been taken on this at present (ref: 08/0225/FUL).

15 August 2012: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit. Permission for a time extension for consents to restore and convert the buildings to office space, residential properties and multi-use space was approved Aug 2010 ref: 08/00226/LBC. The application notes that Pond Cottage would be demolished along with some modern cattle sheds. Full Planning Permission to create access road for the development was approved June 2010 ref: 10/00762/APP.

12 June 2015: Highlands and Islands Enterprise issue a press release (5/6/2015) promoting a £2.5 million project to redevelop three buildings within Blairs Steading into a university research and teaching space. HIE has pledged £750,000 support, Historic Scotland £500,000 with the Altyre Estate to contribute the remainder. Negotiations are underway to secure the site as a regional base for the Glasgow School of Art.

13 July 2015: External inspection finds the building in use as a site office for the conversion works to a number of the steading buildings.

19 January 2018: Listed Building Consent for the restoration and partial demolition of the building to form mixed use/ eduational building is being sought ref: 17/01893/LBC. Risk level reduced to Moderate from High.

24 November 2021: Desk-based assessment from photographs and further information gathered by HES Engagement Team, November 2021. Dampness appears to remain an issue with the building - render loss/spalling/cracking is evident to the front elevation/gable and a chimney stack but this does not appear to have deteriorated significantly form the previous visit. There are some slipped/missing and chipped roof slates but the ridge is intact. Rainwater goods are intact and appear functioning. Windows and doors are in good condition.

The building is being restored as part of the wider re-use of the complex by the Glasgow School of Art and is now being used as an artist studio/workspace. Risk Level reduced to Low.

4 March 2024: Planning Permission (23/00497/APP) has been conditionally granted for the restoration, part demolition and extension of dwelling house to form mixed use commercial and educational building 22/11/2023.