The Prince of Dubai is so wealthy that he bought a 63,000-acre estate in the pristine Scottish Highlands, yet he has only visited five times in twenty years.
The billionaire ruler of Dubai has expanded his massive 63,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands to include ten luxury properties, a hunting lodge and three helipads. However, he has only visited the resort five times in the past 20 years because it lacks some accommodations.Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 76-year-old Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, with an estimated fortune of £14.6 billion (US$19.7 billion), bought the massive building.Authentic Real estate in the West rus‘ More than two decades ago for around £2 million (US$2.7 million). Despite the enormous size of the property, visits by the royal family were limited due to the apparent lack of sufficient bedrooms.The accommodation problem persisted even though the property already included a 14-bedroom holiday home, a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge with pool and gym, a separate cottage and staff accommodation.
Following the approval to build a new 15-bedroom guest lodge, the total number of properties belonging to the royal family has increased to ten, with a total of more than 58 bedrooms.
The challenge of housing a royal entourage like the Sheikh
Architects working for the sheikh, who founded the Godolphin racehorse stud, say new buildings are essential. The billionaire typically travels with a large group that includes several wives, 23 children, extended family members, bodyguards and staff.
“Inverinate Estate owners typically travel in large groups of immediate and extended family and friends,” Inverness-based Colin Armstrong Architects wrote in a planning document.He added: “In recent years, their travel to Inverinate has been limited due to a lack of accommodation. Additional staff accommodation was completed in 2017 to create infrastructure that will support greater use of the property by the owner. This new application seeks to create residential accommodation for the use of the owners, their families and guests so that they can enjoy more frequent and extended visits to Inverinate.”
“The newer 15-bedroom lodge has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Loch Deutsch, a large conservatory, a spacious dining hall and a large living room designed to accommodate dozens of guests at a time.The seminary’s expansion also faced backlash. Planning applications submitted through the sheikh’s companies, Smech Properties Ltd and Smech Management, have faced objections from local residents, conservation groups and the local church.
One of the planned nine-bedroom lodges, called the Ptarmigan, had to be temporarily withdrawn and moved away from a neighboring property after residents raised concerns about privacy and the impact on the surrounding landscape.
The sheikh already has 58 rooms
Locals say the buildings look like a hotel
Some residents say the scenic beauty of the highlands has been damaged by hotels and large buildings.“What is currently proposed looks like a Travel Inn – in fact, all five buildings combined turn what was a picturesque estate with a sympathetic lodge house, into something resembling a hotel development under the guise of a ‘private residence,’” architectural designer Jonathan Meaney wrote in a formal objection to Highland Council.Other locals said the size of the buildings and light pollution were affecting the usually dark skies of the highlands.“The sheer size of this massive building would dwarf the existing church building at least twice, according to the site plan,” local resident Miss Tina McLeod wrote in her objection to the Mirror.She also said: “The light pollution expected from a building as large as a hotel would be obscene, coupled with the potential for excessive noise that would accompany such a large structure, both during construction and once occupied, would make my family’s existence a living nightmare.”
The visual impact of the ‘Palace’ is absolutely hideous in an area like this and I have no confidence in the boring design of the proposed development if implemented, being suitable for this area.
“McLeod also wondered why so many new properties were being built: “One has to wonder why Smech ltd are planning to fill the grounds of Inverinate Lodge with so many large detached buildings for accommodation. Is this traditional Highland estate destined to become another resort for the rich with little or no benefit to the local community?”
Center for private trips
Although the sheikh rarely visits the property himself, it has become a major destination for private jets.
Inverinate Estate is one of the busiest local destinations for private flights operating from Inverness Airport.Over three years, 29 private departures and 42 arrivals were recorded and linked to the property. Flight records also showed three arrivals and four departures linking the Scottish region directly to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.Roddy McLeod, a local resident, said most of the buildings remain empty for most of the year and are mainly used by company employees rather than the royal family.“In the 30 years I’ve been here, the family has only woken up five times,” McLeod told The Press and Journal.They added: “Other guests come from time to time – such as his staff in London and the airlines. No one realizes how huge this magnificent structure is. He seems determined to keep this up. It’s been a real strain.”Occasional visits by the royal family have also attracted the attention of Transport for Scotland.
The agency raised concerns about the damage that the Grand Sheikh’s procession might cause to the narrow rural roads in the region and requested an official study of the overall traffic impact.Smech Properties Ltd responded that the property would never be open to the public. “The proposed lodges are for the sole and exclusive use of the current landowner and guests. They will not be leased for tourist use. As with the current lodges, occupancy is rare.
“They are not busy for long periods of the year,” the company said. She added that most visitors arrive by helicopter or private bus, with six ATVs on site available for photo parties.
Charitable efforts?
Despite criticism of the appearance of the new buildings, the Al Maktoum family has gained support from many local residents through community investments and philanthropy. The Sheikh paid for the £250,000 Inverinate and Loch Duich Community Centre, while his management company donated £30,000 to local affordable housing projects.The Al Maktoum Foundation has also funded local police treatment centers, donated land for a day care facility, supported sheltered housing and established the Al Maktoum Library in the Castlebury Centre. The property also regularly provides free wild venison to elderly residents.These contributions have been supported by local leaders who view the property as an important part of the rural economy.Local councilor Biz Campbell said: “The helipads are only used when family comes over. Otherwise it is very quiet.” “He was great for our community – I wish there were more like him.”
