Dylan 'buys £2m house in Highlands'

BOB Dylan's words from Highlands on his 1997 album Time out of Mind perhaps gave a clue to the legendary singer's desire to have a home in Scotland.

"Well my heart's in the Highlands wherever I roam/that's where I'll be when I get called home," he sang.

Yesterday, the Strathspey village of Nethybridge was buzzing with rumours Dylan has become a new member of the small community, having bought Aultmore House for more than 2 million. But if the times are a-changin' in the picturesque village, the neighbours are not over-excited.

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Aultmore House, an Edwardian mansion set in 25 acres, was built for the owner of a Moscow department store. It was sold last year to an unnamed American said to be acting for Dylan, thought to be his brother David Zimmerman.

There was no confirmation about the new owner. A man at the property yesterday, who said he was the general manager but declined to be named, said the house was privately owned, but added: "I cannot say anything about anything until I've spoken to my bosses overseas."

But a spokeswoman for the selling agent, Knight Frank, said: "We can confirm we have sold the property to a member of Bob Dylan's family."

The ten-bedroom Aultmore House boasts views of the Abernethy Forest and the Cairngorms. It was previously a luxury bed-and-breakfast establishment and wedding and party venue, for hire at 3,000 a night. It has hosted celebrities, politicians and foreign and UK ambassadors, and featured in the TV drama Monarch of the Glen.

Nethybridge, 15 minutes from Aviemore, is a quiet village with two hotels, a school, butcher, post office and convenience store, golf course and pottery.

One of Dylan's nearest neighbours will be Roy Turnbull, who said: "I have known privately for some time that he had bought it. I think it's great. I know his brother has already been seen in the village, but nobody has sighted Bob yet. I am sure Bob decided to come here because it is a quiet, secluded place. The attraction is the pine woods, the hills and the clean environment."

An instructor at the Abernethy Trust, which runs an outdoor centre yards from Aultmore House, said: "We have heard the rumours and if he did come, I think it would be cool. We could have him here for tea some time."

Andy Young, who owns the local store, said: "The rumours have been going about the village for months that he has bought the house, but we have not seen hide nor hair of him. His brother was said to have been here before Christmas. I used to be a Dylan fan, but I don't think you should admit it these days."

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Stuart Black, the local councillor, said villagers would not be starstruck.

"If he simply wants to use the large house as a hideaway and doesn't come out and engage with the community, then people would be disappointed, but they would be very pleased to see him take an active part in community life," he said.

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