The billionaire ruler of Dubai has expanded his huge 63,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands to include ten luxury properties, a hunting lodge and three helipads. However, he has visited the retreat only five times in the past twenty years because it lacks some accommodation.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 76-year-old Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAW) with an estimated fortune of up to £14.6 billion (US$19.7 billion), bought the vast '
Inverinate Estate in Wester Ross' more than two decades ago for around £2 million (US$2.7 million). Despite the estate's enormous size, the royal family's visits have been limited because apparently there are not enough bedrooms.
The accommodation issue continued even though the estate already included a 14-bedroom holiday home, a 16-bedroom luxury hunting lodge with a swimming pool and gym, a separate cottage, and staff accommodation. After approval was given for a new 15-bedroom guest lodge, the total number of properties for the royal household increased to ten, with more than 58 bedrooms in total.
The challenge of housing a royal entourage like the Sheikh
Architects working for the Sheikh, who founded the Godolphin racehorse stud, say the new buildings are necessary. The billionaire usually travels with a large group that includes multiple wives, 23 children, extended family members, bodyguards and staff.
"The owners of Inverinate Estate typically travel in large groups of immediate and extended family and friends," Inverness-based Colin Armstrong Architects wrote in a planning document.
He added: "In recent years their travel to Inverinate has been limited by lack of accommodation. Additional staff accommodation was completed in 2017 to create infrastructure that would support greater use of the estate by the owner and this new application seeks to create residential accommodation for the use of the owners, their family and their guests in order they may enjoy more frequent and extended visits to Inverinate."
The newest 15-bedroom lodge includes floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Loch Duich, a large conservatory, a spacious dining hall and a large living room designed to accommodate dozens of guests at the same time.
The estate's expansion also faced backlash. Planning applications submitted through the Sheikh's companies, Smech Properties Ltd and Smech Management, have faced objections from local residents, conservation groups and the local church. One planned nine-bedroom lodge, called Ptarmigan, had to be temporarily withdrawn and moved farther away from a neighbouring property after residents raised concerns about privacy and the impact on the surrounding landscape.
The Sheikh already has 58 rooms
Locals say the buildings look like a hotel
Some residents say the beauty of Highland landscape is being damaged by large hotels and buildings.
"What is currently proposed looks like a Travel Inn - indeed, all five buildings taken together transforms what was a picturesque estate with one sympathetic lodge house, into what looks like a hotel development under the guise of a 'private residence,'" architectural designer Jonathan Mennie wrote in an official objection to the Highland Council.
Other local residents said the size of the buildings and the light pollution affects the normally dark Highland skies.
"The sheer size of this colossal building would dwarf the existing church building at least twice over, according to the location plan," local resident Miss Tina MacLeod wrote in her objection, accroding to the Mirror UK.
She also said: "The expected light pollution from such a large hotel-sized building would be obscene, along with the possibility of excessive noise that would accompany such a large structure, during building and once occupied, this would make my family's existence a living nightmare. The visual impact of the 'palace' is utterly hideous in an area such as this and I have no faith in the tedious design of the proposed development if carried through, being appropriate to this area."
MacLeod also questioned the reason for building so many new properties: "One must ask why Smech ltd are planning to fill the grounds of Inverinate Lodge with so many large, separate buildings for accommodation. Is this traditional Highland estate set to become yet another playground resort for the rich with little or no benefit to the local community?"
A centre for private flights
Although the Sheikh rarely visits the estate himself, it has become a major destination for private aircraft. Inverinate Estate is one of the busiest domestic destinations for private flights operating from Inverness Airport.
Over three years, there were 29 private departures and 42 arrivals recorded and linked to the estate. Flight records also showed three arrivals and four departures connecting the Scottish estate directly with Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Local resident Roddy Macleod said that most of the buildings remain empty for much of the year and are mainly used by company employees rather than the royal family.
"In my 30 odd years here, the family have only been up five times," Macleod told The Press and Journal.
They added: "Other guests come from time to time – such as his London and airline staff. Nobody realises just how much of a massive great structure this will be. He just seems determined to keep going with this. It has been a real strain."
The occasional visits by the royal family have also attracted attention from Transport Scotland. The agency raised concerns about the damage that the Sheikh's large convoy could cause to the area's narrow rural roads and requested an official study of the overall traffic impact.
Smech Properties Ltd replied that the estate would never be open to the public. "The proposed lodges are for the sole, exclusive use of the current land owner and guests. They will not be rented out for tourist use. As with the current lodges, occupation is infrequent. They are not occupied for large periods of the year," the company said. It added that most visitors arrive by helicopter or private coach, with six on-site 4x4 vehicles available for shooting parties.
Charity efforts?
Despite criticism over the appearance of the new buildings, the Al Maktoum family has earned support from many local people through community investments and charitable work. The Sheikh paid for the £250,000 Inverinate and Loch Duich Community Centre, while his management company donated £30,000 to local affordable housing projects.
The Al Maktoum Foundation has also funded local police treatment centres, donated land for a day-care facility, supported sheltered housing and established the Al Maktoum Library at the Castlebrae centre. The estate also regularly provides free wild venison to elderly residents.
These contributions have won support from local leaders, who see the estate as a valuable part of the rural economy.
"It's only when the family come that the helipads are used. It's dead quiet otherwise," local councillor Biz Campbell said. "He's been brilliant for our community - I wish there were more like him."