Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, has arrived at his remote Scottish Highland estate with an entourage of around 60 luxury vehicles, multiple wives, and a fleet of aircraft, as his Gulf state faces the threat of a new escalation in the war with Iran.
Arrival at Inverinate Estate
The 77-year-old billionaire is believed to have flown to his 63,000-acre Inverinate Estate on the banks of Loch Duich between Dornie and Invershiel, ahead of his birthday on Wednesday, July 15. New photographs show work on his ninth home at the retreat nearing completion.
Two Boeing 737 planes were seen making multiple trips in and out of Inverness Airport, along with other private jets. At the estate, three helicopters were parked on helipads, and about a dozen Range Rovers were nearby.
Massive Security and Staff Presence
Locals reported an unprecedented security presence. “Up at the village hall there were about another 20 Range Rovers and an incredible 30 Mercedes people carriers with staff and security buzzing about,” said one local. “I have never seen so many vehicles with blacked out windows before – or so much security. The sheikh does not come that often himself but in recent years has posted on Instagram his love of hillwalking and being out on his boat. I guess that’s what he will be doing this time, but he will have some entourage for company.”
Expanding Estate into a ‘Small Village’
The estate already includes three large houses, a cottage, two lodges, and three helipads. In April last year, the sheikh was granted planning approval to build a ninth house. Locals say the development now resembles a “small village” dominating the shoreline. In 2024, he received permission to erect an additional 11-bedroom mansion and a five-bedroom home.
Sheikh Mohammed, who founded the Godolphin racehorse stud, has made all applications through his company Smech Properties Ltd. He has had at least six wives and is reported to have around 30 children.
Transport and Planning Issues
Transport Scotland expressed concerns over wear and tear to local roads caused by the sheikh’s future trips, requesting details on the frequency of visits and cumulative traffic impact. The sheikh’s agents responded: “As with the current lodges, the majority of visits to the property are by either coach or helicopter, supported by a fleet of six 4x4 cars for shooting parties/visits. There is no recorded data available on frequency of visits or length of duration.”
In November, the sheikh won retrospective permission for solar panels installed without planning approval at the estate. He applied to Highland Council for back-dated permission for several alterations. The Prime Minister of the UAE has injected large sums of his £14.6 billion fortune into improving the property, which he reportedly bought for £2 million over two decades ago.
Frequent Flights to the Highlands
A freedom of information request showed Inverinate Estate is one of the most frequent private domestic flight destinations from Inverness Airport, with 29 departures and 42 arrivals in the past three years, as well as three arrivals and four departures to Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh’s Wealth and Background
Al-Maktoum generates most of his income from real estate and is described as “one of the world's most prominent real estate developers.” He also founded Emirates Airline. In 2008, Dubai unveiled the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa; Dubai Mall, then the world’s largest shopping centre; and the Dubai Metro.
In December 2021, a London judge ordered the sheikh to pay his former wife Princess Haya bint al-Hussein £554 million in Britain’s biggest divorce settlement, including an initial lump sum of £251 million within three months for her and their two children’s security.
