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Scotland’s richest man plans to transform a 19th Century pub at Loch Ness
Scotland’s richest man plans to transform a 19th Century pub at Loch Ness
Scotland’s richest man is set to transform a 19th century pub on Loch Ness shores. Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife currently own the Dores Inn and nearby 300-year-old Aldourie Castle. The Highland Council has given the green light for an ambitious redevelopment of the historic watering hole into a new café/bakery, shop and two car parks through Povlsen’s conservation company WildLand. The south planning committee agreed to grant permission at a meeting on Thursday (August 6). The plans include the renovation and extension of the original Dores Inn to create a larger, “boomerang”-shaped building. It will offer outdoor facilities including public toilets, beach changing facilities and a new boat jetty extending out to the famous loch, as well as realigning the nearby burn and relocating a football pitch/play park and providing over 110 car parking spaces. Povlsen, 53, bought the Dores Inn to add to his extensive real estate portfolio in Scotland in 2024. The landmark pub, on the southern shore of Loch Ness dates back to the 1820s and was visited by Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip in 1967. Former retail mogul Povlsen, who is thought to be worth more than six billion, is the largest private landowner in the country, overseeing 220,000 acres across the Highlands including Sutherland, Lochaber and Cairngorms. Highland councillors voted unanimously to approve Polvsen’s exciting plans for the Dores Inn. The application was praised for its economic impacts on the small village. The Dores Inn is expected to be closed for around 24 months for restoration work and should open in 2026-2027. The nearby beach will remain open during construction works. Phase 1 would involve the construction of the northern car park, allowing this area to become operational before the main construction works commence elsewhere on the site. During Phase 2, the completed northern car park would remain open for public use while works to the Dores Inn, bakery and associated facilities are undertaken. This area would accommodate temporary public toilets, food vendors, seating areas and waste facilities, whilst also maintaining public access to the beach and core path network. WildLand Chief Executive Tim Kirkwood said: “The Dores Inn is a popular and much-loved pub and restaurant in one of the most prominent and picturesque Loch Ness settings. “When we heard that long-term sustainability of business at the site could be enhanced through investment in the premises, it became clear that we should look at solutions that will align well with the interests of our business and the local community alike. “We look forward to engaging and sharing detailed plans with the village once a full review has been undertaken.”
Scotland’s richest man is set to transform a 19th century pub on Loch Ness shores.
Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife currently own the Dores Inn and nearby 300-year-old Aldourie Castle.
The Highland Council has given the green light for an ambitious redevelopment of the historic watering hole into a new café/bakery, shop and two car parks through Povlsen’s conservation company WildLand.
The south planning committee agreed to grant permission at a meeting on Thursday (August 6).
The plans include the renovation and extension of the original Dores Inn to create a larger, “boomerang”-shaped building.
It will offer outdoor facilities including public toilets, beach changing facilities and a new boat jetty extending out to the famous loch, as well as realigning the nearby burn and relocating a football pitch/play park and providing over 110 car parking spaces.
Povlsen, 53, bought the Dores Inn to add to his extensive real estate portfolio in Scotland in 2024.
The landmark pub, on the southern shore of Loch Ness dates back to the 1820s and was visited by Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip in 1967.
Former retail mogul Povlsen, who is thought to be worth more than six billion, is the largest private landowner in the country, overseeing 220,000 acres across the Highlands including Sutherland, Lochaber and Cairngorms.
Highland councillors voted unanimously to approve Polvsen’s exciting plans for the Dores Inn.
The application was praised for its economic impacts on the small village.
The Dores Inn is expected to be closed for around 24 months for restoration work and should open in 2026-2027. The nearby beach will remain open during construction works.
Phase 1 would involve the construction of the northern car park, allowing this area to become operational before the main construction works commence elsewhere on the site.
During Phase 2, the completed northern car park would remain open for public use while works to the Dores Inn, bakery and associated facilities are undertaken.
This area would accommodate temporary public toilets, food vendors, seating areas and waste facilities, whilst also maintaining public access to the beach and core path network.
WildLand Chief Executive Tim Kirkwood said: “The Dores Inn is a popular and much-loved pub and restaurant in one of the most prominent and picturesque Loch Ness settings.
“When we heard that long-term sustainability of business at the site could be enhanced through investment in the premises, it became clear that we should look at solutions that will align well with the interests of our business and the local community alike.
“We look forward to engaging and sharing detailed plans with the village once a full review has been undertaken.”