In our regular feature, we join a local for a tea break, and find out how they spend their time and their time off. This week, we welcome Eilidh Izat, an architect living in Geocrab.
Eilidh, please tell us about yourself and your work.
Hello! I’m Eilidh, an architect by profession, though some might know me better as one-half of Blasta! We’ve just wrapped up our first season, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to meet so many wonderful people. I’d love to spend more time chatting with everyone, but Jack often gives me “the look” from the kitchen - reminding me there’s still work to be done!
While I love helping Jack with Blasta, my main passion is architecture, and I run a small practice, Izat Arundell, which we founded in 2018. We specialize in projects that require a sensitive approach, often in rural settings or sites with unique conservation needs. This year, I was honoured to receive Young Architect of the Year at the Scottish Design Awards - a recognition I’m truly grateful for.
How did you get where you are today?
I moved to Harris permanently in October 2022 to help my partner (now husband!) Jack, and my brother, Alasdair, finish building our house in Geocrab. We rented Mol Ban in Urgha and I spent three or four days a week working from there, with the rest of my time helping the boys on-site. We finished the house in September 2023, so we’re now approaching a year in our new home!
Originally, I’m from Banchory, near Aberdeen. I left at 17 to study architecture at the Glasgow School of Art and completed my post-graduate degree at The University of Edinburgh. I graduated during a major recession and, long story short, ended up moving to Tokyo to work for world-renowned Architect, Kengo Kuma. While I loved Tokyo, I wanted to gain experience closer to home, so I moved to Norway to work with Helen & Hard, a practice known for their imaginative timber structures. By the time I returned to the UK, the market had rebounded, and I secured a role with one of my favourite Scottish practices, Reiach & Hall, which brought me back to Edinburgh.
2014 was significant: I completed my professional exams, lost my grandfather - who was a major influence on my career as an architect - and met Jack. We connected immediately, moved in together within a month, and spent our first holiday in a tiny caravan on Barra, sparking our love for the Hebrides.
After a few more years in Edinburgh, we converted an old garage into a holiday let, Porteous Studio, marking the start of our collaboration and eventually leading us to establish our architecture practice, Izat Arundell. We’ve been at it for over eight years now and while Jack has other projects outside Izat Arundell - including Blasta! - his story deserves its own “Tea break” feature!
Harris became part of our lives as we considered where we wanted to settle down. We loved Edinburgh, but having grown up in the countryside, we both wanted that freedom again and our decision to move here has brought everything together for us. We just love it.
What are your goals for the near future?
I’d love to take things a little slower - I hope that doesn’t jinx it!
How do you like to spend your time off?
I like to explore the hills behind our house with our adventurous cat, Mij. He insists on coming along—even if it means getting wet!
What are your favourite places on Harris?
It’s nice to discover new places but I haven’t found anything quite as good as driving over the hill into Geocrab and seeing that view….
It’s tea break time. What’s on the menu?
No question - Skoon’s chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream. It’s my guilty pleasure!
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