Tir nan Og (Cheer nan Ock) at Kilnaughton, Islay - A stone cottage overlooking the beach

From the Old Irish Gaelic translating literally as “land of (the) young” or “land of youth”. Tir nan Og also refers to the mythical Celtic afterlife which was thought to lie beyond the West.

This unique and beautiful new house is the home of Ian and Jan Faggetter. Generations of Jan’s family, including her father, have been born and brought up on Islay. After many years of searching for a place to call their own, they have finally come full circle to Kilnaughton overlooking Port Ellen across the bay.

The building plot was purchased from Arthur Woodrow whose patience over many years was finally rewarded when Argyll and Bute Council granted outline planning permission on the land he owned on the Oa.

Occupying the site of the original dwelling, whose ruin remains and which provided the main reason for the choice of site; Tir nan Og pays homage to the past while offering the highest standard of living accommodation and modern utilities. Continue reading....Designed by architect Tom McCardel of Ardfern and constructed by local Islay builder Colin Logan and his team Tir nan Og acknowledges the architectural heritage of the western isles. The long low lines of the building with its slate capping below the roof elevation reflect the proportions of the original Hebridean “blackhouse”. The beautiful dry stone walls were created from the same pink quartzite found on the hill as many of the original dwellings on the Oa which was once a heavily populated area of Islay. They were crafted for us by Pat Gillespie. At the rear, the red roof echoes the corrugated iron used in many agricultural buildings during more recent decades. The larch used for the cladding gives a contemporary look and will turn a soft silver grey in time. The choice of colour for the window frames compliments the lichen covering the old stones of the ruin.

The original dwelling at Tir nan Og

Inside Tir nan Og double aspect panoramic windows frame breathtaking views across the bay to Port Ellen and to the peak of Beinn Bhiorach behind. Capturing vistas from all areas of the house was a major consideration when originally orientating the building to sit naturally against the hillside.

Tir nan Og is the result of the dedication and skill of all those involved in her creation and we are immensely grateful to them all. It is our hope that their level of care and our own enthusiasm and love for this unique and beautiful dwelling impacts on those who visit us and helps to make their stay in Islay a happy and memorable one.

If you feel you would like to experience Tir nan Og visit our website at www.tirnanogislay.co.uk

Tir nan Og from above overlooking Kilnaughton Bay and Port Ellen

Tag: accommodation oa port ellen