Shoreline Project, Bowmore, Islay
Urban Animation and Neil Sutherland Architects have been appointed by Islay Estates to master plan expansion at the western edge of Bowmore, Islay. The Project will be the most significant development on the island since the construction of the original planned village at Bowmore in the 1770s. Islay Estates are seeking to create a modern legacy for the town and Islay as a whole.
Islay is the fifth largest Scottish island and the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides. It is best known for its distinctive peaty, briny malt whisky, produced in 8 distilleries which attract visitors from around the globe. Bowmore is home to one of these distilleries and is the administrative ‘capital‘ of Islay. It was constructed on a grid pattern with the main street running downhill from a distinctive round church to the harbour.
Most of the Islay villages are planned settlements and all have largely retained their integrity despite some modern sprawl round their fringes. As a result, Islay has a strong building typology characterised by low rise traditional whitewashed buildings with slate roofs, often laid out in terraces built down and round slopes.
Unlike most of the Islay villages, Bowmore largely turns its back on the coastline. However, the Shoreline site is elevated and presents an opportunity to exploit panoramic views across Loch Indaal. The site of a former artillery battery from the Napoleonic Wars lies on a promontory immediately to the east, with views to the Paps of Jura.
The Shoreline Project aims to provide a mixed use development with housing, retail, hotel, community, heritage/tourism and business uses. The challenge will be to integrate the new development with the existing settlement, respecting the historic street pattern and architecture whilst creating a development which is of its time.
Initial consultations have highlighted a number of land use and circulation issues which might be addressed in part by the Project. These include a pedestrian / vehicular conflict zone between the secondary and primary schools.
Given the remote setting and unusual constraints in bringing forward new development, it is essential that partnership opportunities are maximised. The Project will require support from the private, public and community sectors to achieve its full potential. There is a wealth of local initiative to draw upon and it is hoped this can contribute towards the delivery of a sustainable and successful long term development.
Project Team -
- Urban Animation
- Neil Sutherland Architects
- Brian Burns Associates (economic development)
- CKD Galbraith (project management)
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Click to DOWNLOAD KEILLS PLOTS PLAN
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