Timmy

Thanks for everyone’s replies. I appreciate that the layout / location decisions will be somewhat iterative. One of the areas where I have most to learn is about the how the aspect of the house, the glazing, the heating, and the ventilation all interact. The house where I’ve lived for the last thirtyish years is about 100 years old, has thick stone walls, is poorly insulated by modern standards and is pretty draughty but we like it. It very rarely gets too hot in summer. I’ve stayed in quite a few self build holiday homes in the Highlands and some of them could get sweltering at particular times of day. I’d like to avoid that pitfall. I had a look at your blog @ProDave - I like what you’ve done, and a lovely part of the country.

Hi all I’ll probably retire in a couple of years and move to the Highlands. Very much at the stage of considering the possibilities at the moment, but the idea of a self-build is appealing. I haven’t done a self-build before and the prospect of a blank sheet for a new home’s layout is quite daunting. Where do people go for ideas and inspiration? Cheers.