Demolition of Jimmy Savile's Highland Cottage
The Highland cottage previously owned by Jimmy Savile has been demolished.
Savile, known as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders, owned the property named Allt-na-Reigh in Glen Coe for approximately 13 years starting in 1998.
The cottage, located on the A82, suffered damage from a fire and was repeatedly vandalised after revelations of Savile's abuse surfaced following his death in 2011.
Demolition work began in March of the previous year but could not be completed until Highland Council issued a building warrant and other necessary approvals.
A new home is planned to be constructed on the site.
Owner's Statement and Site Security
Earlier in the month, a spokesperson for the owner, Scottish entrepreneur Harris Aslam, commented on the progress.
"We are grateful to Highland Council for their swift support in approving a demolition warrant for Allt-na-Reigh, and for their continued assistance as the project progresses."
"The site has been fully secured, and we respectfully ask members of the public to refrain from accessing the area while demolition and subsequent construction works are ongoing in the interest of safety."
The spokesperson also noted the Aslam family’s recognition of the location’s significance, citing its striking backdrop of the Three Sisters mountains and its historical association with the renowned Scottish climber and inventor Dr Hamish MacInnes.
Council Approval and Redevelopment Plans
Highland Council confirmed that all necessary paperwork was approved late last month.
In June 2024, councillors unanimously approved the demolition plans.
The redevelopment proposal includes a tribute to MacInnes, another former owner of the cottage.
Dr Hamish MacInnes, who passed away in 2020, was a mountaineer and inventor known for creating a type of ice axe and a stretcher widely used by mountain rescue teams globally.
He crafted many of his designs in outbuildings adjacent to the cottage.
Historical Significance of the Property
The property has a lengthy history, having served variously as a house on a croft and as a road workers' cottage over the years.
