As we drove up and over the mountain road there were incredible views of the Highlands and Loch Doilet and the cottage was tucked away at the end of a forest track, six miles from the nearest shop! says Liz Hallam of her first sight of her Scottish holiday home. It was like being in a tiny Canada, I was absolutely blown away.
The Hallams have always holidayed in Scotland and had spotted the cottage on an online property website. It had been built for the Glenhurich gamekeeper in the late 19th century and had been updated ovei the years, but there was still plenty of potential to stamp their mark on it. Richard was able to drive up to Scotland to view it, but Liz was at work so Richard took photographs - they put in an offer the next day. The first time Liz actually saw the house was when they already owned it. I was keen to buy the place because I knew it was incredibly remote and the scenery would be beautiful, she says. "I knew if I loved the location I would love the house - after all, you can change anything in a house.
Liz was particularly keen to have a new decorating project as she loves to collect fabrics. I cant walk past fabric shops/ she says. T have to go in. She is also hooked on old furniture and memorabilia and scours antiques shops and car - boot sales tc fuel her passion.

I cant stop buying fabric and I faJ in love with old knick - knacks - even if I dont know where Im going to put them, she says. Ive got a stand now at my local flea market in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, with the idea that I sell the things I cant keep so Ive got room to buy more - its not much of a business concept!
Buying the cottage meant Liz could find a home for hei large collection of fabrics and keepsakes. It was lovely to have an excuse to fook at ail my pieces of fabric and place them around the room. I could think about colour schemes and see what went with what, she says.
The two - bedroom cottage didnt need any structural work, but the interior was outdated with lots of orange pine cladding. Liz and Richard also needed to fit a new kitchen and bathroom, as well as re - decorate throughout. The local area is rugged, but has a very soft landscape, too, so the colours are really watered down, says Liz. My approach was to bring those muted shades of browns, greens, greys and heathers from the outside into the cottage.
Lizs starting point was sparked by a plaid wool throw she found in a shop near work in Matlock in Derbyshire. The humble throw then became an even more important fixture when her brother bought exactly the same one for her at Christmas. It was uncanny, says Liz, but he knows me well. The earthy colours are similar to the watery colours of the landscape and it was only right that the cottage should have plaids.
Rather than throw colour эп to the walls, Liz painted the traditional timber cladding in shades of cream and stone and introduced layers of the outdoor colours in tactile texUles such as sheepskin and wool rugs and patterned fabrics. It is a subdued approach that matches the solitary mood here, yet the cottage otill feels ccay and warm, зауо Liz. Being here is about relaxing, eating and drinking. We enjoy coming in winter time and going for walks when the skies are blue and the air is crisp. But its lovely to come back, stick a few mere logs In the wcodburner, eat a hearty meal and then cosy - up and read, or watch the pine martens in the garden.
People say that coming here is like stepping back in time, says Liz. Were so far from the modern world and theres no mobUe receptioa All there is to do is admire and enjoy the great outdoors - but were quite happy with that.

HOW TO...
CHOOSE A WOODBURNING STOVE
A woodburner is the number - one eco - friendly choice when it comes to heating as wood is a carbon - neutral fuel.
A stove can sit within a fireplace hearth or stand alone. Insert stoves slot into a hole - in - the - wall in the chimney breast
The stove must sit on a non - combjstible hearth anc a flue is needed, either fitted in a chimney, or exiting through an outside wall.
Consult a heating engineer the stove output as room size and any other heating will have an eect.
Cast - iron stoves are heavy, durable and allow for intricate designs. Lighter weight steel is favoured for curved panels.
Choose a stove with large windows for a great view of the flames.
Black is a favoured finish, but for enamelled colours, try Charnwood, Franco - Beige at ACR and Jotul.