Revealed: new property hotspots as Monopoly comes to the Highlands

Published on Wednesday 10 March 2010 21:15

THE Old Kent Road could close in favour of the Road to the Isles, King's Cross Station may be replaced by a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry terminal, and instead of Trafalgar Square there may be Culloden Moor.

• How the new version of Monopoly might look when it is launched later this year. Decisions have yet to be taken on several landmarks.

A new version of Monopoly with famous landmarks and icons from the north of Scotland replacing the celebrated London streets will be launched in October.

The well-known board, which marks its 75th anniversary this year, will keep its shape and prices, but from today Highland residents will get the chance to nominate their own locations.

The control of land has historically been an emotive issue in the Highlands and it is set to spark fresh disputes when voting starts in Inverness.

Suggestions will be taken until 2 April with more than 30 spots to be decided on before the new game, which may feature both English and Gaelic, goes on sale.

Other suggestions so far have included Loch Ness and its famous monster, Inverness Town House, the Cairngorm ski centre, Ben Nevis, the Caledonian Canal and the Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Ross County football stadiums.

But there was little support last night to replace the Electricity Company with the Beauly-Denny powerline.

The game's owners say they remain open-minded about which features will appear on the new board and whether they will stretch the geographical area to include the Northern and Western Isles.

However it remains to be seen how authentic the property-based game will be in its new setting.

For instance, what percentage of the new houses will be affordable to meet demand? Will crofters be allowed to buy for 15 times their annual rent? And will the rules allow the use of land reform legislation to buy property from an unwilling seller?

Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Peter Peacock said yesterday he would nominate Assynt in Sutherland, where pioneering crofters bought their estate from private owners, to replace the prestigious Mayfair.

"But only on the basis it could not be bought and sold as it is owned by the community and anyone who landed on it would be required to make a contribution to a land fund to help other communities buy their land," he said.

He also suggests Highland Monopoly should feature Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic college in Skye, as part of a Gaelic element. "However, again it could not be bought and sold, but anyone landing on it would have to learn at least one new Gaelic word in order to be able to move forward again." Brd na Gidhlig, the national Gaelic development agency, is also backing moves to have the language feature in the game.

A board spokeswoman said: "Gaelic is very much a part of the identity of the Highlands and its place names and we suggest areas such as Drumnadrochit and Culloden, iconic structures such as the Glenfinnan Viaduct as well as some of our lochs and hills such as Beinn Eighe could be included."

Inverness Provost Jimmy Gray, who will help launch the vote today, said the new game was good news for the Highlands.

"I am certain the Monopoly Highland Edition will be a great hit and with Nessie set to appear very prominently then it really will have international appeal."