Tinhouse is a holiday cottage on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, designed and self-built by Rural Design founders Alan Dickson and Gill Smith. The 70-square-meter house is situated on a steeply sloping site on the island's northwestern tip, with panoramic views over the Minch strait to the Outer Hebrides. The project was conceived as a year-round rental property, and it has garnered architectural awards and recognition, including being named the best holiday house for couples in the UK by The Sunday Times. The design is a contemporary take on the utilitarian agricultural sheds commonly found in the Scottish Highlands. The gabled house is clad entirely in corrugated, mill-finished aluminum sheeting, which provides durable protection against the region's frequent, fierce storms. The architects chose materials and a design that enabled much of the construction to be completed by a single person, celebrating the tradition of rural self-build projects. Recycled materials were incorporated where possible, including using leftover timber for built-in beds and seats, and offcuts for bedside tables. Inside, the interior contrasts with the rugged exterior by creating a character that is both modern and rustic. Simple materials like concrete floors, plywood joinery, and timber wall paneling create a tranquil backdrop. Vibrant pops of color, inspired by the surrounding landscape—such as fuchsia wildflowers, grass green, and sunset orange—are featured in the furnishings. Despite minimal window openings on the external facade, a strategic horizontal window on the north elevation provides a "hide" to observe the sea and landscape in all weather conditions. Credits Architects: Rural Design Design and construction team: Alan Dickson, Gill Smith Photography: David Barbour External wall and roof cladding: Rigidal Aluminium Sheeting Windows: Rationel Floor: Bradstone Panache Paving Slabs Timber supply: Caley Timber Insulation: Knauf Kitchen: Kirkwood Kitchens