A beautiful Victorian property has been given an energy-saving facelift to create an amazing holiday let on the Fife coast.
“If we had stayed with gas, the capital cost would have been cheaper but with the ongoing price rises, we could have looked back in 10 years and regretted the decision.”
The former five-bedroom detached Elie home, called Russell Bank, dates to 1870, but it is now a wonderfully warm and welcoming modern place to stay.
Alex Nairn, a director of Elie Leisure Company that owns the house, took advantage of support from Business Energy Scotland and an interest-free Scottish Government SME loan with cashback.
He said: “For a project of this size, any contributions were much appreciated.”
Russell Bank has belonged to Alex’s family since 1937 and had been untouched since the 1960s.
Alex, whose company also runs Catchpenny Safari Lodges in the East Neuk, wanted to fully refurbish the house to make it an appealing holiday spot, while also considering the environment.
“If we had stayed with gas, the capital cost would have been cheaper but with the ongoing price rises, we could have looked back in 10 years and regretted the decision.”
“We also wanted to do our bit for the environment. We’re right next to the sea, so it now fits in with the green credentials of the area.”
“Considering the environment is important to us. Catchpenny is completely off grid, with its micro wind generators and solar panels. We also won regional winner of a Scottish Thistle Award for Innovation in Tourism by VisitScotland.”
When Alex contacted us, one of our specialist consultants carried out an audit of the property that was being heated by an old mains gas boiler. Whatever heat was being generated was being lost through the windows, walls and floors.
It was recommended that Alex installed air source heat pumps to provide the warmth with insulation fitted to the solid walls and floors to retain the heat. Double glazing was also advised to make the property as efficient as possible. By making the changes, it was calculated that Alex would save £9,500 a year on energy bills, while also cutting CO2 emissions by 70 per cent – the equivalent of more than 36,000 car miles.
Work on the property, which now boasts six bedrooms including one with a fabulous slipper bath in the bay window, has just been finished.
Alex said: “Obviously it is too early to see what the energy bills look like, but the house feels lovely and warm. I’m hoping it will really come into its own in winter when people are looking for a holiday let with character that also provides warmth and comfort.”
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