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'Artful sanctuary' is 2025 Scottish Home of the Year

IWC Media/BBC Scotland Danny Campbell, Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale stand in a line in front of a beautiful fireplace inside the House for an Art Lover, where the winner was announced. Danny wears a black t-shirt, black kilt and Crocs, Anna, with her bright white cropped hair, wears a bold floral dress and red boots and Banjo rocks a blue and white china pattern-style suit with white trainers.IWC Media/BBC Scotland
Danny Campbell, Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale have chosen the winner of this year's competition

A contemporary conversion described as "an artful sanctuary" has scooped the 2025 title of Scottish Home of the Year.

Hilltop House near Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire has been revealed as the winner of the grand finale of the popular BBC Scotland series.

The house was built on the natural footprint of the surrounding farm steading and is home to Jessica Zanoni and husband Chris Labrooy, who live there with son Chase, 18, and dogs Enzo and Dino.

The couple said it felt fantastic to see their effort and passion recognised.

Chris Labrooy in a navy striped top and a black skip cap stands in his winning living room with wife Jessica Zanoni who is a blonde lady wearing a white vest and orange cardigan
Jessica Zanoni and husband Chris Labrooy rebuilt their dream home in Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire

Hilltop House brings together mid-century and Californian cool style that reflects their own taste and experience.

Designed by Jessica and Chris, the home is filled with colourful statement pieces from bright yellow sofas to a pastel pink bathroom.

The couple - who run their own art business - were inspired by nature and led by sustainable design principles, filling their home with items which will last for decades.

Jessica told BBC Scotland News what her first impressions were of the plot that would become their new home.

"I came up here first without Chris. It was just a dilapidated farm steading. But as soon as I saw it and saw the view I knew I had to get Chris up here."

IWC Media/BBCScotland Situated on the outskirts of Pitmedden in rural Aberdeenshire, Hilltop House was built around the original footprint of the farm steadingIWC Media/BBCScotland
The opposite end of the house is in a blonde stone with another large window, this one with an arched top.
The gable end gives the family a fantastic sunrise every morning
The farm steading mixes the old and the new

She said the living room was her favourite part of the house.

"The gable faces east and you see the sunrise very morning," she said.

"I also enjoy the differences between the aesthetic of the outside and the inside. I think it makes the interior even more surprising.

"Also, the view. It was the reason we bought the plot and we have really used it almost as a piece of art. It definitely adds to the interior and it changes every day."

Chris agreed: "I feel the home's location and east-facing gable give it a special character. I love the sunrises here – so much so that I'm up before 06:00 every morning just to take them in.

"I work from home so I really appreciate the quality of light throughout the day. It's a very easy going home to live in."

The SHOTY judges – interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones, Banjo Beale and architect Danny Campbell - chose Hilltop House from a shortlist of six finalists from across Scotland.

Campbell Jones said: "This home managed to feel perfect in every way whilst still feeling like a place where real people live. I particularly loved the way their art was reflected in their choices of colour and furniture managing to create the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication."

Mull-based Beale agreed: "It's an artful sanctuary - every corner tells a story, and it's quiet and charismatic all at once."

Campbell added: "This was a home that manages to be both deeply personal and architecturally ambitious. Every corner feels considered, every material honest, every space deliberate and thought through.

"It felt like the building was completely in tune with the people who lived there, which is especially impressive for a conversion."

IWC Media/BBC Scotland A closer view at the bright yellow sofa which sits against a wall with a picture shelf above, carrying large artworks in bright colours. A stylish white oval coffee table sits in front of it with some style and design books and the red SHOTY heartbeside them.IWC Media/BBC Scotland
The family made sure the house was beautiful to look at but also comfortable, calling this space the heart of their home

The big reveal took place at Glasgow's House for an Art Lover - designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

The six finalists came face-to-face, meeting the judges for the first time as well as getting a chance to cast their eyes over each other's homes.

For Jessica, meeting the other finalists was a highlight: "We met all of the finalists and had such a great day talking to them.

"We have a WhatsApp group now that we keep in touch through. It's easy to get on with people that are like minded and have put their heart and souls into the design of their homes.

"So, everything from building and designing and filming SHOTY were all shared experiences for us. It was so interesting to see all their ideas."

The winners' plaque sits in the kitchen - it is a large circular carving in black, inlaid with gold letters saying "Scotland's Home of the Year 2025".
The winners' plaque has pride of place in Hilltop House

The 2025 series of Scotland's Home of the Year visited 18 exceptional properties across Scotland.

The other finalists were Sandstone Bungalow in Giffnock, Wee City Nook in Edinburgh, The Tree House in Broughty Ferry, An Cala Cottage in Skye and Craigmount near Dalbeattie.

Judge Danny Campbell said: "This year's line-up was outrageously good. From bold conversions to quirky self-builds, every home had its own personality and inspirational touches.

"It felt like homeowners across Scotland have taken things up a level. Not just in terms of design but in how fearlessly they made their homes truly their own. It was a joy - and a nightmare - to judge."

The eighth series of the property show will begin filming in locations around Scotland later this month.