A resourceful father from Scotland has turned the recent heavy snowfall into a magical winter adventure for his little girl, constructing an impressive igloo complete with a working fireplace.
A Childhood Dream Realised
Kyle Doran, from Twatt in Orkney, spent several days in early January building the intricate snow structure for his three-year-old daughter, Norah. He explained that the project fulfilled a long-held ambition. "I've always wanted to build an igloo, since I was a kid," Kyle said. "Now I've got a three-year-old daughter, so I wanted to build one for her. We've had enough snow for it, so I thought why not?"
Using his professional background in the trade industry, specifically stonemasonry, Kyle crafted the igloo by packing snow into an old plastic Lego storage tub. This method allowed him to create approximately 150 individual blocks, each weighing around 2kg.
Engineering a Snowy Playhouse
The construction, which was finally completed on January 4, 2026, is far from a basic snow den. Kyle ingeniously incorporated a cosy fireplace and a chimney to vent the smoke, an addition he conceived during the build. "The chimney was an afterthought," he noted. "So I cut a hole through it, built a fireplace, and then built the chimney to draw the smoke out."
He has since lit fires inside the igloo to keep himself and Norah warm during their play sessions. Describing the technical challenges, Kyle said the most difficult phase was installing the roof. "The blocks have to be angled and it's quite difficult to stop them falling into the igloo," he explained.
A Testament to Skill and Patience
Kyle applied his stonemasonry expertise to carefully arch the structure, admitting the process was a test of patience and precision. He found the chimney construction less daunting once the initial structure was sound. "Once it's packed with snow from the inside and resting against the other blocks, it's okay, because they support their own weight - it's just getting them to that point," he said.
The heartwarming project highlights how families across the UK are finding creative ways to enjoy the recent frosty conditions and snow blasts. For Kyle and Norah, the igloo is more than just a playhouse; it's a unique bonding experience and a testament to a father's dedication to making childhood memories.
