Demolition of former Jimmy Savile cottage delayed

The demolition of a cottage in Glen Coe formerly owned by Jimmy Savile has taken longer than hoped, the site's owners have said.

Savile, uncovered as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders, owned Allt-na-Reigh cottage in Glen Coe for about 13 years from 1998.

The property on the A82 has been repeatedly vandalised and damaged in a fire since details of the former TV personality's abuse emerged following his death in 2011.

A spokeperson for the owner, Scottish entrepreneur Harris Aslam, said a building warrant and other necessary approvals had still to be fully issued for the demolition and redevelopment of the site.

Vandalism has continued at the property and National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which manages Glencoe National Nature Reserve, said it was concerned by its current condition.

Highland councillors unanimously approved the demolition plans in June 2024 and work started in March last year to pull down the derelict cottage.

A family home is to be constructed on the site.

The proposed redevelopment includes honouring another of the cottage's former owners - the celebrated Scottish climber and inventor Dr Hamish MacInnes.

Dr MacInnes, who died in 2020, invented ice axes and also a stretcher that is used by mountain rescue teams all over the world.

The outbuildings where the climber worked on his creations are to be redeveloped as an ancillary dwelling and named Hamish House.

The property has a long history and over the years it served as a house on a croft and as a road workers' cottage.

Harris Aslam's spokesperson said he was committed to completing the demolition of Allt-na-Reigh cottage.

They said: "The site is subject to an approved planning consent. However, works cannot fully commence until a building warrant and other necessary approvals are fully issued.

"This has taken longer than expected due to the challenging nature of the site, including its topography, access and the technical requirements involved in building in this location."

The spokesperson said steps had been taken to make the site safe and to prevent any risk to the public, and Aslam was in contact with the relevant authorities as the process moved forward.

They added: "We are keen to see progress made and remain fully committed to moving ahead as soon as approvals are finalised, with the aim of delivering a development that sits well within its surroundings, respects the character of the area, and appropriately recognises the lasting and positive contribution made to Glencoe by the late Hamish MacInnes."

NTS said: "We share concerns about Allt-na-Reigh's current condition, and hope that action is taken soon to address this - both in terms of the visual impact graffiti has at this iconic site in the heart of Glen Coe, and safety concerns surrounding ongoing unauthorised access."

Fort William and Ardnamurchan Lib Dem councillor Andrew Baxter said the cottage was a "blight" on the landscape.

He told BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme: "It's an absolute mess and has been for almost a decade.

"Once the Savile affair became public knowledge, it became a magnet for vandalism and graffiti. It's roofless and falling down."