Self-Build Retirement Home in Inver, Tain

Having always wanted to build their own home, they spent time searching for the perfect location before settling on Inver, near Tain.

“It was so peaceful, calm and quiet, such a beautiful place to build a home and retire.”

The move represented a significant lifestyle change and the opportunity to create a home tailored to their exact requirements.

A True Self-Build Journey

With years of experience in the construction industry, Mr Bowers decided to take on the challenge of fully self-building and managing the project himself.

Throughout the construction process, he completed almost all of the work personally, including many of the internal finishing works and even the roof tiling. Specialist trades were only brought in where required.

The couple fully committed to the project and lived on-site in a caravan for more than two years while construction was underway.

As a result, they were able to oversee every stage of the build and ensure the finished home reflected their vision.

Adapting the Braemore Design

Mr and Mrs Bowers selected the Norscot Braemore design as the starting point for their project. However, they made several alterations to tailor the layout to their lifestyle and future needs.

The changes included:

• • Converting the original three-bedroom layout into two larger bedrooms

• • Creating an enlarged family bathroom

• • Extending the utility room

• • Adding a substantial garage

These adjustments allowed the couple to create a home that better suited their retirement plans while maintaining the practicality of the original design.

A Favourite Feature Created by Chance

One of the couple’s favourite parts of the completed home came about unexpectedly during the planning process.

To create greater vertical emphasis within the design, a standard lounge window was replaced with a full-height glazed unit.

The result transformed the space, flooding the room with natural light and framing views of the surrounding landscape.

Today, it remains their favourite place to relax beside the warmth of the log-burning stove while enjoying the scenery beyond.

Client Feedback

Reflecting on their experience of working with Norscot, Mr and Mrs Bowers said:

“Norscot has been absolutely fantastic throughout the whole process. If they said something would be here at 9am on Monday morning, it was there.”