The billionaire ruler of Dubai has expanded his vast 63,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands to include ten luxury properties, a hunting lodge and three helipads. However, he has visited the retreat only five times in the last twenty years because it lacks some accommodation.Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 76-year-old Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAW), with an estimated net worth of up to £14.6 billion (US$19.7 billion), has ‘bought’ the hugeinanimate property in vestor Ross‘ More than two decades ago for approximately £2 million (US$2.7 million). Despite the immense size of the estate, visits from the royal family have been limited because there apparently are not enough bedrooms.The accommodation issue continued even though the property already included a 14-bedroom holiday home, a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge with a swimming pool and gym, a detached cottage and staff accommodation. The total number of properties for the royal family increased to ten after a new 15-bedroom guest lodge was approved, with a total of more than 58 bedrooms.
Challenge of providing accommodation to a royal party like Sheikh
Architects working for the sheikh, who founded the Godolphin racehorse stud, say the new buildings are necessary. The billionaire typically travels with a large entourage that includes several wives, 23 children, extended family members, bodyguards and staff.“Inverness 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 visits to Invarinate have 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 and this new application seeks to create residential accommodation for the use of owners, their family and their guests so they can enjoy more frequent and extended visits to Invarinate.“The latest 15-bedroom lodge includes floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Loch Duich, a large conservatory, a huge dining hall and a large living room designed to accommodate dozens of guests at the same time.The expansion of the property also faced backlash. Planning applications submitted through Sheikh’s companies, Smech Properties Ltd and Smech Management, have faced objections from local residents, conservation groups and the local church. A planned nine-bedroom lodge, called 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.
Sheikh already has 58 rooms
Locals say the buildings look like a hotel
Some residents say that large hotels and buildings are damaging the beauty of the highland landscape.Architectural designer Jonathan Mennie wrote in an official objection to the Highland Council, “What is currently proposed looks like a Travel Inn – in fact, combining all five buildings together turns a picturesque property with a sympathetic lodge house into something like a hotel development under the guise of ‘private residences’.”Other local residents said that the size of the buildings and light pollution overshadow the usually dark highland skies.Local resident Miss Tina McLeod wrote in her objection to Mirror UK, “According to the site plan, the sheer size of this massive building will dwarf the existing church building by at least two times.”He also said: “The light pollution expected from such a large hotel-sized building would be obscene, plus the possibility of excessive noise with such a large structure during construction and once occupied, would make my family’s existence a nightmare. The visual impact of a ‘palace’ in such an area is completely appalling and I have no confidence in the throwaway design of the proposed development being appropriate for this area.“MacLeod also questioned the reason for building so many new properties: “One must ask why Smech Ltd is planning to fill the grounds of Invernet Lodge with such large, detached buildings for housing. Is this traditional Highland estate going to become another playground for the rich, with little or no benefit to the local community?”
A hub for private flights
Although the Sheikh himself rarely visits the estate, it has become a major destination for private jets. Inverness Estate is one of the busiest domestic 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 show three arrivals and four departures directly connecting the Scottish estate with Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.Local resident Roddy McLeod said most of the buildings remain empty year-round and are mainly used by company employees rather than the royal family.“In my nearly 30 years here, the family has only moved in five times,” McLeod told The Press & Journal.He added: “Other guests come from time to time – such as his London and airline staff. No one realizes what a huge structure it will be. He is determined to keep it going. It’s been a real strain.”The royal family’s occasional visits have also attracted the attention of Transport Scotland. The agency expressed concern about the damage caused to the area’s narrow rural roads due to Sheikh’s large convoy and requested an official study of the overall traffic impact.Smech Properties Ltd. replied that the property would never be open to the public. “The proposed lodges are for the sole, exclusive use of the current landowner and guests. They will not be rented out for tourist use. Like the current lodge, occupancy is infrequent. “They are not occupied for large periods of the year,” the company said, adding that most visitors arrive by helicopter or private coach, with six on-site 4×4 vehicles available for shooting parties.
Donation efforts?
Despite criticism over the appearance of the new buildings, the Al Maktoum family has earned support from many locals through community investment and charitable work. The Sheikh donated £250,000 to Invernet 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 centres, donated land for a day-care facility, supported sheltered accommodation and established the Al Maktoum Library at the Castlebrae Centre. The estate also regularly provides free wild venison to elderly residents.These contributions have been supported by local leaders, who see the property as a valuable part of the rural economy.Local councilor Biz Campbell said, “The only time the helipad is used is when family come. Otherwise it’s absolutely quiet.” “He has been fantastic for our community – I wish there were more people like him.”