New plan to tear down Jimmy Savile cottage in Glen Coe

Revised plans have been drawn up to demolish the former Highland home of paedophile TV presenter Jimmy Savile.

Savile, uncovered as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders, owned Allt-na-Reigh cottage in Glen Coe from 1998 until his death in 2011.

The property has become an eyesore and has been vandalised ever since details of Savile's abuse emerged following his death at the age of 84.

The new owner plans to replace it with another house.

Harris Aslam, boss of Kirkcaldy-based convenience stores business Greens Retail Ltd, said feedback from the local community and other organisations had guided the design of the revised proposals.

His planning application has been submitted to Highland Council.

Previously, the property belonged to legendary Scottish mountaineer Dr Hamish MacInnes.

Savile's abuse was thought to have begun in the mid-1940s, when he was in his late teens or early twenties, and lasted until 2009, two years before his death.

The Dame Janet Smith review identified 72 victims of Savile in connection with his work at the BBC, including eight who were raped. Eleven of his victims were younger than 12 years old.

Last year a row emerged over rebuilding plans for Savile's former home.

Groups including Mountaineering Scotland and National Trust for Scotland had raised concerns about the design.

Mountaineering Scotland, which represents the interests of outdoor pursuits enthusiasts, was not opposed to the cottage being replaced, but was concerned the design did not fit the character of the surrounding landscape.

Mr Aslam said the new proposals would include a tribute to Dr MacInnes, who whose mountaineering skills earned him the nickname the Fox of Glencoe.

Born in Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway, Dr MacInnes was famed for his climbing exploits and inventions of mountaineering equipment, including ice axes.

He made Glen Coe his home and was taken on a "final tour" of the area following his death in November 2020 aged 90.

A hearse carrying his coffin, which featured two ice axes of his design, passed through Glencoe village and on to the famous glen itself.

In a statement, Mr Aslam said the new design was for a "residence sympathetic to the prestigious surroundings".

He said: "This really is an incredibly exclusive property and presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop something we can all be very proud of as adorers of the Glen Coe valley and as proud Scots.

"We often forget the truly life-changing inventions which mountaineering legend, Hamish MacInnes, created in the outbuilding on site including the 'Pterodactyl' ice-axe, and the eponymous MacInnes stretcher used by mountain rescue teams worldwide.

"Accordingly, intending to pay homage to Hamish, it gives us great pride to propose the outbuilding to be named Hamish House along with a commemorative plaque to be installed on-site to honour these great achievements."

Mr Aslam added: "This has been a challenging project over the last few months and years, though we appreciate a pre-application position reached with Highland Council whereby they are welcoming the revised proposals and we are hopeful this will lead to a positive outcome for all with a view to commencing works on site in spring 2024."