ONE of Scotland’s richest women has revealed plans to open her Highland retreat as an outdoor resort, angering locals in the process.
Stagecoach Group co-founder Dame Ann Gloag owns Beaufort Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, near the town of Beauly.
Gloag – thought to be worth about £1 billion – founded the transport group with her brother Brian Souter and first husband Robin Gloag in 1980.
Her plan to transform the retreat into a holiday resort with 50 bespoke cabins has angered local residents, who warn it could cause traffic issues on the banks of the River Beauly.
The chairman of Kilmorack Community Council, Steve Byford, said the additional traffic the site would generate on local roads was an “an accident waiting to happen”.
Another local told The Herald: “Investment by the Gloag family is welcome around here especially if it will boost the local economy. However, I am concerned that the development could cause chaos on the local roads.”
Others felt local villages could be overwhelmed by tourist traffic.
Under Gloag’s plans, lodges would be arranged around a courtyard with a café as well as retail and admin space.
The proposals are currently part of a planning application which was submitted to Highland Council last week.
Savills representative Angus Dodds said: “Our client is hoping to bring forward a development which will meet a latent demand from a growing number of visitors to the local area.
“The emerging proposals take inspiration from the surrounding woodland and the landscape and historical context of the site.”
On traffic concerns, he went on: “In undertaking detailed pre-application discussions with the Highland Council in respect of this proposal, the key policies that would be of relevance in the determination of this application have been highlighted.
“It is considered that the foregoing illustrates how the current proposals accord with these key policies and accordingly ... it is hoped that the Highland Council can support the current submission.”
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