Only laird without estate home of his own awaits planning vote

A LANDOWNER said to be the only laird in Scotland without a home on his estate could end a lengthy fight to win planning approval next week.

Hugh Whittle bought the remote Glencripesdale Estate on the Morvern peninsula in Lochaber in 2002 but his previous attempts to build a house faced local opposition.

A revived plan will now be discussed by Highland Council's Ross, Skye and Lochaber planning committee on Tuesday with officials recommending it is given the go-ahead.

Mr Whittle who stays near Oban, wants to build a six-bedroom, two-and-a-half storey house, including an estate office, pool and gardens on the site of the old Glencripesdale House.

His proposals also include a second home for a caretaker manager and plans for stabilising and retaining a timber-loading jetty on Loch Sunart.

The Glencripesdale Estate, which is reached by a 8.6 mile single-track private road, once covered 41 square miles and stretched for 20 miles along the entire south side of Loch Sunart and east side of Loch Teacuis.

Glencripesdale House was a mansion designed in 1874 by the Newton brothers, who owned the estate. It had 28 bedrooms, including 20 for family and guests and eight for servants.

After the estate was sold by the family the house fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1963. The estate was owned by the Forestry Commission for 35 years from 1955, sold in 1993 and later bought by Mr Whittle.