Sneak peek: Scotland's Home of the Year heads to Orkney
Ms Tickle fell in love with the harbourside home after spending a weekend on Orkney – but has it got the pizazz to be crowned Scotland's top house?
Here she shares her thoughts on why she's taking part in SHOTY 2025 – and shares a sneak peak of her home before the episode airs on Monday.
Scotland's Home of the Year is broadcast from 6:25pm on BBC One Scotland.
The house site on Stromness Harbour (Image: BBC Scotland) How long have you lived at Harbour View?
We purchased Harbour View in October 2019, but unfortunately, we weren't able to move into our home until August 2020, after the first Covid lock-down.
The living room (Image: BBC Scotland) What first attracted you to the property?
My son was living on Orkney and training to be a Dive Master, and it just so happened that I decided to take a weekend trip up to see him. He was lodging right next door at the time and that's when I noticed this amazing house on the waterfront! Lucky for us, it had just gone on the market.
What's the history of the house?
The house site had formerly been home to the old Stockan's Bakehouse which serviced the Scapa Flow fleets in both World Wars. It was purchased around 2010 by the original owners, who then spent approximately four years creating this award-winning home.
The home was designed over three floors, with the top floor created as an artist's studio, hence the open flow, high-pitched ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. Unfortunately, the original owners had to sell for family health reasons and we were fortunate to be able to purchase Harbour View and turn it into a family home.
A view inside the bedroom (Image: BBC Scotland) What's your favourite thing about it – and does it have any unusual features?
It is so hard to decide on one favourite thing about Harbour View. I'm sure that there aren't many homeowners though who can say that they have seals in the garden – we do! Every floor of Harbour View has a unique feature: from the striking architecture and bold colours inside and out, the private pier in the garden, the free-standing bath in the guest bedroom, overlooking the harbour…the list is endless.
What are your design and decorating inspirations?
We have a crazy pace of life with busy jobs, so we wanted to create a calm and peaceful home which maximises the natural light and flexible space, where we can just switch off and watch the world sail by.
A bath with a view (Image: BBC Scotland) How would you sum up the style of your home?
Simplicity, with a splash of colour.
What would be your dream home?
Harbour View!
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The house boasts sea views (Image: BBC Scotland) Finally, why did you decide to enter SHOTY this year and what was the experience like?
It's all down to our friends and neighbours who encouraged us to apply! We didn't expect to get shortlisted for SHOTY, but we were delighted to be chosen. It has been a surreal experience and I'm sure there will be some nervousness as the airing date approaches.
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