Jimmy Savile's lair still standing despite two years of pleas to bulldoze it

12 September 2023 , 21:00

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Savile's grim grotto in Glencoe is still yet to be bulldozed despite pleas from some to tear it down (Image: PA)

Jimmy Savile's highland horror home is still standing despite two years of pleas from those living in the area to have it torn down.

Disgraced predator Savile, who died in 2011 before the full depth of his depravity was made public, had used the Glencoe, Scotland, home for some time and is said to have abused up to 20 young women, girls and boys over a period of several years inside the remote cottage. The former DJ had lived in the property frequently until his death aged 84. Now, council members of Highland Council are disclosing an application for the destruction of the grim home is "under consideration".

Savile's horror home was the location of at least 20 alleged abuse cases (Daily Record)

A council spokesperson said: "This application is still under consideration. We cannot provide any information as to when a decision will be made but the planning process is being applied." But those living in the area, who shudder as they find themselves passing by the disgraced paedophile's former abode, want action taken on the property. It had previously been sold for £212,000 at auction back in 2011 by a buyer intending to live there. Plans for a move-in never materialised, and the property was then sold retail tycoon Harris Aslam, who planned on building a "futuristic" pad in its place.

There is no indication so far of what is planned for the area of Savile's former compound, with Mountaineering Scotland fuming at the lack of clarity over the area's future. The organisation was invited to submit their views on the plan back in January, and said: "The cottage is situated prominently on a bend of the and features in one of the iconic views of Scotland, the view of the Three Sisters of Glencoe from the A82 heading west.

"Having looked at the artist's impressions of the new design that were submitted with the planning application, Mountaineering Scotland has concerns with what is proposed. The concept of rebuilding a cottage at this location is fine, as there has been a cottage here for many years. What we are questioning is the design which seems to elevate the building above the roadside, making it appear to be standing proud in the landscape.

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Locals are split on what the future of the infamous house should be (PA)

"This has the effect of drawing the eye to the structure itself and away from the scenic landscape, seeming to impose the building on the landscape, rather than within the landscape as the plans suggest. This is in a National Scenic Area, a designation that acknowledges that the landscape here is up there with the best that Scotland has to offer."

Further disappointment came in the form of the "outbuilding" which would see the exterior of the home overhauled and in direct conflict with upholding the Hamish MacInnes heritage. The organisation added: "It is disappointing that the architect’s plans for converting the outbuilding into habitable accommodation look little like the existing outbuilding, making it difficult to see how the claim of reinforcing the heritage of Hamish MacInnes is substantiated."

Some supported the change to the property, with Michael Bassett writing in to the council, saying: "This location has been blighted for many years with the existence of an unattractive and vandalised dwelling with its connections to a disgraced public figure. It is time to erase this and to move on.

"The proposed design is modern, characterful and striking, and in my opinion, entirely in context with its location. It would provide a visual enhancement to the location. As a resident of the highlands and a regular visitor to Glen Coe I would be happy to see this development go ahead."

Mountaineering Scotland opposed the demolition of the home which has links to Hamish MacInnes (PA)

But some are upset at the proposed demolition as the home has links to late mountaineer Hamish MacInnes, whose "historical significance" should outweigh the sick crimes of Savile. Cameron McNeish, a writer and broadcaster, said: "For me that house will always have associations with Hamish MacInnes, not only because Hamish is probably our greatest Scottish mountaineer. That will always be Hamish MacInnes' house and will always have that mountaineering historical significance. It would be a shame if those mountaineering memories were swept up along with the tarnished memories of Jimmy Savile."

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland said "Glencoe is one of the finest and most iconic landscapes in Scotland, particularly as despite its wildness it is relatively accessible. It is vital that this character is not compromised by inappropriate development of any kind. The existing building consists of an appropriately vernacular cottage with an unfortunate later addition, but still of modest form.

"The later addition would benefit from removal, but either the retention of the core building or its removal (and non-replacement, or replacement with a traditional building of the same size) would retain the existing character of the site. The proposals are excessively large - several times too big for what the site could accommodate without compromising its setting - and unnecessarily attention-seeking. This is not the place for projects insensitive to the setting or the history of the site, and this application (and anything remotely on its scale) should be refused to protect this irreplaceable landscape."

Ewan Gleadow