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Scotland's richest man buys historic Loch Ness pub

Getty Images The husband and wife are smiling while they walk. There are buildings in the background.Getty Images
Anders Holch Polvsen and his wife Anne own land and property in Scotland

A company owned by Scotland's richest man - Danish billionaire Anders Holch Polvsen - has taken over a historic pub on Loch Ness.

WildLand has bought the Dores Inn in the village of Dores, about 10 miles (16km) south of Inverness.

The conservation and hospitality business already owns nearby 300-year-old Aldourie Castle and 500 acres of grounds and woodland.

It said the Dores Inn would be closed for about 24 months for restoration work and should reopen in 2026-27.

Mr Holch Polvsen, who made some of his fortune in retail, is one of the UK's richest men and estimated to be worth more than £6bn.

He owns hundreds of thousands of acres of land in Sutherland, Lochaber and Cairngorms where WildLand is part of a beaver reintroduction project.

The Dores Inn pub and restaurant is a landmark on the southern shore of Loch Ness.

It was visited by Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Phillip in 1967.

Over the years, owners of the Dores Inn have included local community stalwart Ella Macrae.

Colin Smith/Geograph The white-walled two-storey building has a garden in front of it with shrubs with pink flowers.Colin Smith/Geograph
The Dores Inn is to close for restoration work

WildLand said it planned to restore the inn and its grounds.

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."

Mr Kirkwood said the business was committed to a substantial investment programme.

He added: "We look forward to engaging and sharing detailed plans with the village once a full review has been undertaken."

WildLand said it would work closely with the local community to try and resolve issues around parking, public toilets and access to a nearby beach.

Dores is popular with visitors from Inverness as well as tourists.

But there is limited parking and a nearby road can become congested at the height of the tourist season.

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