A former Second World War air control tower that's been transformed into a stunning tranquil hideaway is now available to rent on Airb...
A former Second World War air control tower that's been transformed into a stunning tranquil hideaway is now available to rent on Airbnb.
HMS Owl is a four-storey brick tower that was built in 1942 on Fearn Airfield in Tain in the Scottish Highlands and used by the Royal Navy to marshal torpedo-carrying aircraft.
It closed in 1957 and then fell into disrepair until it was snapped up by husband and wife Justin Hooper and Charlotte Seddon, who went about transforming the empty shell of the property.
HMS Owl is a four-storey brick tower that was built in 1942 on Fearn Airfield in Tain in the Scottish Highlands and used by the Royal Navy to marshal torpedo-carrying aircraft
After owners Justin Hooper and Charlotte Seddon bought the property in 2013 they spent five years transforming it. The top floor, pictured, is now available to rent
The transformation of the unusual property featured in an episode of the Channel 4 show The Restoration Man, featuring George Clarke. Pictured is the guest bedroom
The guest quarters on the top floor sleeps up to two people and boasts a king-size bed. The entire room is surrounded by huge windows with spectacular sweeping views of the surrounding landscape
Now it is a modern cosy home for Justin and Charlotte and their children, with the top floor available to holidaymakers for £75 per night.
The property was bought by the current owners, who are originally from London, in 2013 when the runway was still used by private aircraft.
They then spent five years giving the tower a makeover from top to bottom and their story was featured on the Channel 4 show The Restoration Man, with George Clarke.
Now finished, the guest quarters on the top floor sleeps up to two people and boasts a king-size bed.
Guest staying at HMS Owl can also use the other facilities in the house where owners Justin and Charlotte live with their children. Pictured is the cosy living area with a log burner
Facilities include a hot tub, a pool table, table football, and a log burning stove. Pictured is the kitchen, where breakfast is served up
HMS Owl and the adjacent Nissen hut before they were given snazzy makeovers by Justin and Charlotte
The entire room is surrounded by huge windows with spectacular sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
The en-suite bathroom has a modern shower and toilet as well as a sink that comes complete with aeroplane taps.
Guests also have use of the rest of the house, which includes a hot tub, a pool table, table football, and a log burning stove.
The en-suite bathroom, pictured left, has a modern shower and toilet as well as a sink that comes complete with aeroplane taps. Pictured right is the drinks cabinet in the kitchen
Owner Charlotte said: 'As a passion project, the most important thing for us was to preserve the raw, bruised, but not broken feel of the building'
Charlotte said: 'HMS Owl had been left derelict for decades and we took on its restoration, and much of the labour, as a passion project and the most important thing for us was to preserve the raw, bruised, but not broken feel of the building.
'We also rebuilt the black Nissen hut adjacent to the tower, which is also newly available to rent.
'We put them both on Airbnb as we wanted to be open to a large audience from the off and see what happened!
'It's gone well so far and guests seem to really enjoy their stays in both the tower and the Nissen.'
As well as restoring the air control tower, Justin and Charlotte have also transformed the black Nissen hut next door and that is also available to holidaymakers
The property was bought by the current owners, who are originally from London, in 2013 when the runway was still used by private aircraft
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