Tornagrain: A New Town for the Scottish Highlands

Abstract

This article discusses the history and architectural philosophy of the Tornagrain New Town near Inverness. Ben Pentreath’s practice has been involved in the development of Tornagrain since its inception and the early masterplan by DPZ and the landowner, Moray Estates, and is now responsible for executing the detailed masterplan and much of the architecture in this new settlement in the Scottish Highlands. Once complete, the town will provide at least 5000 new homes, new schools, community buildings, and commercial spaces, with a new high street. In 2023, eight years after the foundation ceremony, the town consists of 300 houses. In this article Ben describes the history and many of the challenges of the town’s development.

Keywords

• New Urbanism
• Traditional architecture
• Moray Estates
• Housing project
• DPZ