Conversion of a category B listed building into a boutique 5-star hotel.

Built in the 19th century, The Fife Arms Hotel is a Braemar landmark and a category B listed building having been converted into a boutique 5-star hotel located in the stunning Cairngorms and Scottish Highlands.

Cameron + Ross provided a full range of both Civil & Structural Engineering services for the project, becoming involved at conceptual design stage and seeing the project through to completion and handover. The nature of the conversion of the historic existing building meant a very ‘hands-on’ approach was required with significant presence on site, both during the demolition and reconstruction and refurbishment phases. This allowed us to adapt and evolve the design in conjunction with the other members of the design team to ensure that the building remained structurally stable during the works and take advantage of, enhancing and highlighting, the features of the existing building that were uncovered as work progressed.

Additional services included carrying out topographical surveys combining our Leica GPS and Total Station equipment to prepare a detailed survey of the embankment adjacent to the existing Clunie Water course for remedial slope stabilisation works. Due to restricted access the instrument was operated in a “Reflectorless” mode where inaccessible objects at dangerous sites can thus be surveyed and mapped easily. This mode can also be used for surveying building elevations and the mapping of overhead cables and alike.