SCOTLAND'S richest man has been given the green light to refit a historic 200-year-old pub near Loch Ness.
Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen – who is the majority shareholder in online fashion giant Asos – has spent millions buying around 220,000 acres of land in Scotland, becoming the country's largest private landowner.
His estate management company WildLand was established in 2007 and is responsible for operating several historic properties in Scotland, including Aldourie Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, the Lundies House hotel in Tongue, and the Killiehuntly Farmhouse and Cottages near Kingussie.
One of the properties owned by Povlsen and his wife Anne through WildLand is the Dores Inn, located in a village of the same name near Loch Ness. It is believed to date back to the 1820s.
An application was made to Highland Council in March to extend and renovate the inn, with additions like a bakery, cafe and shop included, in addition to various services aimed at tourists visiting the loch and nearby beach.
Changing facilities, a jetty and boat kiosk are included in the application, as well as space for a new play park and football pitch and various infrastructure improvements, like improved wave defences, drainage and accessibility.
A car park with space for 116 vehicles was also included in the plans.
The plans were approved by a Highland Council planning committee, with councillors saying the applicant has done a "good job" with their public consultations and welcomed confirmation that access to Dores beach and the nearby woodland would continue during a two-year construction period.
The base of Steve Feltham, who embarked on a mission to find information about the Loch Ness monster in 1991, is also set to be protected.
In addition to the various extensions planned, investment from Povlsen's business will also be used to "repair and enhance" the existing architecture of the historic inn.
In February, Joe Dunn, WildLand's director of built development said: "These proposals reflect a considered and incremental approach to looking after a place that is used and valued by many people.
"The focus has been on understanding the site, listening to feedback, and allowing the landscape and everyday use of the area to guide how change is made."
