Talla Na Mara

Community café clad in timber

With its white sandy beaches and flower-drenched machair, West Harris is one of the gems of the Outer Hebrides. In common with many other island communities, it has a strong sense of local identity and a fragile economy. These considerations were important drivers in creating a new Community Enterprise Centre and six residences.

Durable nature

The project was led by the West Harris Trust, a community charity led by a volunteer board of directors. The Trust commissioned architects Rural Design Ltd to create a building that was striking and modern yet sympathetic to its surroundings. Situated on an undisturbed area of outstanding natural beauty, with views of the beach and machair, the Centre comprises a community space and café, office accommodation and four business units.

Quality cladding

Nestled on the coastline, the large modern centre is shaped to reflect the contours of the mountains beyond, with Russwood Scotlarch® board on board cladding chosen for its high quality, durable nature and warmth. The cladding was all fire treated and fixed with patented L-GoFix® MS Screws, which allow maximum anchoring without causing the wood to split, and provide a neat detailing.

Russwood were helpful and knowledgeable in meeting the project specifications, and the finished result is a building that’s as beautiful as it is useful.