Telling the Story of Straloch Estate, Perthshire, Through Photography

I remember my first call with Will from Straloch Estate in Perthshire, when he got in touch to discuss the photography for their newly renovated holiday home – The Schoolhouse. As he described The Schoolhouse renovation I could sense a lot of care and attention had been poured into it. I knew straight away this was a project I wanted to be involved in, and I wanted to capture it with the same level of care and attention.

Set within Straloch Estate in the beautiful Perthshire countryside, The Schoolhouse is a former Victorian primary school, thoughtfully restored into a luxury five-bedroom holiday home sleeping 10 with hot tub included.

Learning Lucy had attended the school herself, and seeing how elements of the building’s history had been incorporated into the interiors, appealed to me even more. I knew Will and Lucy would want images which didn’t just show the spaces, but conveyed a feeling, an experience with attention to detail. From the cast iron radiators to the carefully chosen artwork and bold colour schemes, they weren’t afraid to let their personality shine through, with the help of interior designer Tyrella Nash of Dunville Designs based in Dunkeld.

Straloch Estate Photography: A Considered Approach

My background in interior design has a big influence on how I approach photographing a property. I’m always looking at how a room works as a whole, from the furniture and layout to the colours, textures and smaller details. It’s about finding the vignettes, the textures and highlighting any features and details.

Two days were set aside to capture all the interiors and some exterior photography. We spent time ahead of the shoot, planning the shots and the scenes that would appeal to Straloch Estate’s guests, along with the props and styling needed to bring the scenes to life.

When we arrived, it was straight to work, bringing together the props we’d planned alongside items Will and Lucy already owned, allowing more of their personality and style to come through in the photographs.

We set the table for a breakfast feast, adding little touches throughout the kitchen like fresh herbs and an open cookbook. In the spacious yet cosy living room, we created a scene of friends coming together over a glass of wine and a game of backgammon, with dominoes for the children. The bedrooms had their own thoughtful touches, from bedside styling to the suggestion of slow mornings enjoying a coffee while looking out over the hills. The styling really helps the spaces feel inviting and helps guests imagine themselves there.

And of course, we can’t forget Smudge, who took her starring role very seriously! Sitting proudly on the boot room bench, she was quite at home in front of the camera and the perfect way to show that four-legged guests are just as welcome at The Schoolhouse.

We also took the opportunity to capture some lovely portraits of Lucy, adding a more personal side to the imagery and bringing the face and story behind the property to life.

Beyond The Schoolhouse

I returned to Straloch Estate in the summer, this time turning our attention to the outdoor spaces and the experiences guests can enjoy beyond the interiors.

We captured the gardens and play areas, including the original school seesaw, a lovely reminder of the building’s past. Lucy even stepped into the hot tub, glass of fizz in hand, to help us set the scene for a little relaxation while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

It was also a first for me having a racing car as a prop on a photoshoot, although Will was more than happy to get behind the wheel and position it for the photographs!

We also ventured further into the estate to photograph the remote picnic hut, with the most stunning views of the beautiful Perthshire estate. It was lovely to capture more of the surrounding landscape and give a sense of everything guests can enjoy during their stay.

A Story Worth Sharing

It’s been lovely to see The Schoolhouse featured in Scotland’s Homes & Interiors magazine and The Times newspaper along with other local press features. Having seen first-hand how much thought, care and attention Will and Lucy have put into bringing this old building back to life, it’s so good to see their hard work recognised.

It’s also a joy to see my photography helping to tell their story, from the finished interiors to the little details that make The Schoolhouse so special.

Are you looking for considered interior and lifestyle photography for your property? Explore my interior photography services.