April 3, 2026 | VOL 17
at DUN ALUINN, TIME SLOWS
words Onur Basturk
photos Fran Mart & Ruth Maria (Courtesy of Dun Aluinn)
Late summer, 2017. Chef John Christie took his partner, Susie Whyte, to see a house perched above Aberfeldy, overlooking the River Tay. “The house had been unoccupied for several years, giving it that slightly eerie feeling of a place long left behind. Yet, it left a strong impression on me,” Susie recalls. “As I moved through the rooms, I took everything in and instantly felt a connection. I think it was the relationship between the house and the landscape that struck me most.”
Soon after, they bought the property and began a complete restoration. “We stripped everything back to the bare walls and started again,” says Susie. She goes on to describe its layered history: “The house has lived many lives. Built in 1909 as a family home, it later became a small country hotel in the 1920s, then a boys’ boarding house from the 1980s until the early 2000s. After that, it sat empty for many years.”
DUN ALUINN MEANS BEAUTIFUL HILL FORT IN GAELIC
What made you feel that something special could be created here?
Dun Aluinn already had so much. But most of all, it had good vibes — hard to put your finger on, but they were there. Dun Aluinn means beautiful hill fort in Gaelic. When you strip it back, it was about expressing that spirit through this grand dame in the landscape. I simply took my cues from it. Mostly, it was about revealing what was already there — and for me, that included everything beyond the house too: the landscape, sky, wildlife, weather. So many guests tell us how good they feel when they’re here; it has such positive energy and love.
When reimagining and redesigning an Edwardian house, what were the key decisions you made?
The key was to understand, appreciate, and reveal what the building already had to offer. Every decision that followed had to work in harmony with that original idea. Throughout the renovation, we peeled back layers of paint to let the house breathe again. We kept all the original ceiling cornicing in the main reception rooms on the ground floor and restored the original wooden floors throughout the house.
Which elements did you want to preserve?
We kept every original feature we could — essentially everything. That meant a lot of restoration work. Our carpenters, Strathern Joiners, were incredible, as were all the talented local tradespeople who worked on the project. There was a lot of damage from its years as a boys’ boarding house. For example, our joiner Hamish repaired huge holes in the handrail using an old church pew of the same wood and era to match perfectly. You’d never know the difference.
Which aspects did you feel needed to change completely?
The lighting at Dun Aluinn is all directional and dimmable, allowing the mood to shift as night falls — with soft pockets of light highlighting a detail on the staircase or a painting on the wall. Naturally, the furniture and finishes are modern, reflecting a new chapter in the house’s life — no stag heads or tartan carpets and wallpaper at every turn.
CALL OF THE WILD LEAVES A LASTING IMPRESSION — ONE GUEST EVEN CALLED THEIR DAY WITH HAMISH AND LIBBY THE BEST OF THEIR LIVES
You’re both an architect and an interior designer. When shaping Dun Aluinn, which mindset guided you more — the structural or the atmospheric one?
Both, I’d say. We didn’t do any structural work as we stayed within the existing building. My training is in architecture, so I tend to view all design through that lens.
The interiors feel refined yet grounded — natural materials, bespoke furnishings, art, and those breathtaking Highland views. What emotions did you want guests to feel when they stepped inside?
If it touches their emotions, that’s a good start! Ultimately, I hope Dun Aluinn conveys a sense of authenticity, calm, beauty, and respect — values that guided every decision throughout the project. As guests enter through the main door into the central hallway, the fire is always lit, offering a warm and welcoming feeling.
Dun Aluinn redefines “full service,” offering not just accommodation but a curated experience. How did this philosophy of immersive hospitality take shape?
We’re very proud of our Gold Award from Green Tourism UK for our sustainability and environmental practices. Part of that involves how we connect and “share the love” with small local businesses in the Aberfeldy area to deliver authentic Highland experiences for our guests. They meet and get to know some wonderful local characters and truly feel part of the community after a week’s stay. Since opening in 2018, we’ve continued to evolve our approach, and we now feel we’ve found the right balance — high-quality service delivered in a relaxed, genuine way. We have an amazing team: Dana and Nicu, our wonderful Romanian couple who lead housekeeping; Chris, our beloved butler, whom everyone wants to take home; and Sarah, our Guest Experience Manager, who works closely with every group for months before arrival, planning every detail and creating bespoke itineraries. Last but not least, Chef John and his team take a collaborative approach to food and farming — working hand in hand with local growers and artisanal producers across Aberfeldy and Perthshire.
The Lodge at Dun Aluinn shares the same design language as the main house yet feels more contemporary and private. What inspired this second, more intimate retreat within the estate?
It was originally a 1950s postwar prefabricated caretaker’s bungalow in terrible condition. A break-in, just at the start of Covid, pushed us to renovate, as it was in too poor a state to leave beside the main house. Once again, I took my cues from the original structure — its simplicity and integration with the landscape. Externally, the timber cladding, deck, and porch give it a more vernacular feel. I had less to work with inside, so I drew inspiration from 2001: A Space Odyssey — white kitchen and bathroom fittings with pops of color, frameless doors, and recessed skirtings to connect the renovation to the spirit of its era.
“Slow luxury” is a phrase often associated with Dun Aluinn. What does it mean to you personally, and how do you bring that idea to life through both design and experience?
For us, Dun Aluinn is about simple things done well. We try to be authentic in every way we can. It’s about connecting with nature — and we hope both the design and experience reflect that.
Among all the experiences offered at Dun Aluinn — from The Call of the Wild to wild swimming — which one do you personally enjoy most, and what would you recommend to first-time visitors?
Call of the Wild has such a positive impact on our guests — one even said that their day with Hamish and Libby on their land was the best day of their lives! Personally, we love e-biking with friends; you can ride through beautiful scenery, off-road and over the hills, and feel twenty again. Swimming in the River Tay during summer is so life-affirming — we know all the best spots where we can take guests for a picnic by the shore.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR DUN ALUINN
After such a thoughtful project, what continues to inspire you? Do you see Dun Aluinn as the beginning of a wider design story?
We recently purchased 15 acres of land next to Dun Aluinn and have designed a collection of private residences nestled in the landscape — The Dun Aluinn Residences — which will be available to purchase, with access to all Dun Aluinn’s services. Think single-storey, Mies van der Rohe-inspired structures made with local stone, timber cladding, and expansive glass walls framing the Highland views. It’s been a collaboration with the talented team at Brown & Brown Architects. These homes will launch in 2026, and we’re very excited to bring them to life.
- The full story is featured in Vol.17 -
