Demolition of Jimmy Savile's Former Highland Cottage Completed After Public Pressure
The former Scottish Highlands residence of notorious paedophile Jimmy Savile has been fully demolished, bringing closure to a prolonged local controversy. The cottage in Glencoe, long decried as an unsightly blot on the landscape due to its association with Savile, has been removed following official approval and mounting community frustration.
Years of Neglect and Graffiti Marked the Property
For years, the abandoned property stood as a grim reminder, frequently vandalised with graffiti including messages like 'bye Jimmy'. Local councillor Andrew Baxter expressed profound embarrassment, recalling how he would deliberately distract tourists from viewing the site during his time as a tour guide. The location had unfortunately gained global notoriety, becoming an inadvertent Instagram hotspot for visitors posing outside the infamous structure.
Dark History Within the Remote Cottage
During the thirteen years Savile owned Allt-na-Reigh, from 1998 until his death in 2011, the disgraced television presenter regularly hosted guests at the remote property. Investigations suggest he sexually abused up to twenty victims within its walls. Savile, who presented popular programmes like Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It, was posthumously revealed as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders. The cottage even featured in Louis Theroux's documentary When Louis Met Jimmy and once hosted Prince Charles for dinner.
New Ownership and Vision for the Site
In 2021, Harris Aslam, director of the Green's grocery chain, purchased the property through his company Glenshire Properties. Aslam envisioned transforming the site by demolishing the existing structure and constructing a new, modern family home. This new build would honour legendary mountaineer Hamish MacInnes, who resided there before Savile. Plans include a dedicated commemoration to MacInnes's legacy, highlighting innovations like the MacInnes stretcher and Terradactyl ice axe developed on the premises.
Council Approval and Safety Measures
Highland Council granted formal demolition approval in 2024, though delays had caused ongoing concern. A spokesperson for Glenshire Properties confirmed the works are now proceeding under all necessary planning permissions and building warrants. The site has been secured, with the public urged to avoid the area during demolition and subsequent construction for safety reasons. The company acknowledged the site's significant location against the backdrop of the Three Sisters mountain ridges and committed to a sensitive development.
Local Reactions and Historical Context
Residents described Savile as an 'attention seeker' who would wander Glencoe village in a Highland kilt, waving at tourists. Some locals have expressed disappointment that Savile's relatively brief ownership overshadowed the cottage's longer history. Originally part of a working croft, it later served as a roadman's cottage before Savile's tenure. Its name, Allt-na-Reigh, translates roughly from Gaelic as 'burn of the slope', referencing a nearby stream. Following Savile's death, the property was auctioned and sold for £212,000 before Aslam's acquisition.
The demolition marks a significant step toward erasing a painful chapter and restoring the natural beauty of the Glencoe landscape, while creating a future tribute to a more positive historical figure.
