Our Journey
- 1977 First visit to Harris
- 2000Land purchased
- 2012 Building begins
- 2015 Òran na Mara completed
"A Fulfillment of the Dream for Both of Us"
Òran na Mara really is a dream brought to life. We’ve taken the time to expertly design the interior space; high domed ceilings flood with light during the day and make it warm and cosy at night.
We’ve come a long way from our first visit to Harris to the completion of this truly iconic house.
“Every part of the house celebrates a different part of the culture of Harris” Jane Blanchard, Interior Designer
.
A Unique House with a Unique Story
Designing and building Òran na Mara has taken us on a wonderfully fulfilling journey. There have been plenty of challenges to overcome, but they’ve led to the creation of a beautiful house. We worked through many different plans over the years before settling on the unique design you see today. On the way, we made a commitment to using the finest local materials and traditional construction techniques. .
chapter one
The Dream
Our love affair with Harris began on our honeymoon in 1977. After 10 glorious, cloudless days watching spectacular sunsets blend into velvet nights, we were smitten.
chapter two
False Starts and Dead Ends
Having a vision and bringing it to life are very different things. Building a house on an island is not a challenge for the faint-hearted!
chapter three
Ah-ha!
Finding a way to turn the Òran na Mara dream into a reality comes one step closer. Chartered civil engineer Jonathan Bridge helps us move forwards.
Every Challenge Takes us a Step Closer
Balancing bespoke interior design that reflects the natural environment with our desire to create an amazing visitor experience inspired us through the build process. We hope the outcome inspires you too.
chapter four
Blasted Foundations!
It is surprising how much work (and money) goes into the ground. When you’re dealing with gneiss, the hardest rock on the planet, laying foundations is tricky.
chapter five
Walls and Roofs
A curved building is an extremely challenging thing to build. Add a thatched roof, crafted using traditional materials and techniques, and the challenges multiply.
chapter six
Bringing the Outside In
We decided to work with an interior designer as it was obvious that this unique house needed to be considered holistically. What a great idea that was!
chapter seven
Creating the Experience
From the outset, it was our desire to create an amazing visitor experience. We began by defining the layout, then considered the construction and interior design.
chapter eight
Race to the Finish
Even as this complex design and build process drew to a close, there were hurdles to overcome. Sourcing marram grass and creating curved ceilings were just two!
chapter nine
Completion!
After owning the land for 15 years, planning countless different designs and spending 2 years on the final build, Òran na Mara was finally finished.
chapter ten
Recognition!
Recent News
Keep up to date with Òran na Mara’s informative blog
Creating Òran na Mara
To us, Oran na Mara is a very special place – and we hope that you agree. To create a house in this location, to take advantage of the views, and to blend into the landscape took years of painstaking planning, ideas, challenges and uncertainties. We first came across...
Òran na Mara Bookings for 2023
We are launching a new website at orannamara.com, to coincide with the opening of our 2023 booking calendar. We are taking over our own booking management from our current partners, LHH, for all bookings dating from January 2023 onwards. Oran na Mara tends to book two...
Hygge on Harris: A Winter Experience!
We love winter on Harris! The islands are quiet, indeed serene, with different opportunities according to the weather. Active weather brings dramatic seas, wonderful light and skyscapes so loved by photographers. Calm days bring beautiful walks, and relaxation. Clear...