The owners of Jimmy Savile’s former Highlands house of horrors have said they will begin demolition of the derelict property within weeks – after it was badly damaged in a fire last week
The owners of Jimmy Savile’s former Highlands home have assured that the derelict cottage will be demolished within weeks, following a fire last week.
The blaze wreaked havoc when it erupted at the cottage on Saturday, February 8, causing significant damage to the outbuilding and temporarily shutting down the A82, a crucial route between the Central Belt and Fort William.
After his passing, the Jim’ll Fix It presenter was revealed as one of Britain’s most notorious and high-profile sex offenders.
His Scottish home went up in flames earlier this week, but the cause of the fire remains unknown as investigations continue into the incident.
From 1998 until his death, he lived in the bungalow facing the Three Sisters of Glencoe. Since revelations of his extensive sexual abuse came to light, the property has been repeatedly vandalised and before the fire the “cursed” cottage that has the words ‘the beast’ daubed on it.
Trashed and pilfered by trophy hunters, the property was sold for £335,000 in 2021 to Fife entrepreneur Harris Aslam, owner of Greens Retail Ltd.
Last year, Highland councillors unanimously approved plans to demolish the cottage and replace it with a new three-bedroom family home.
Speaking to the Oban Times, the Aslam family said: “Given the sensitive nature of the surrounding environment and the complexity of the project’s design, specialist construction methods will be required, meaning development will take time. However, we remain fully committed to beginning demolition as soon as possible, with broader redevelopment targeted to start in Spring/Summer 2025.
“We recognise the public interest in this site, particularly given Hamish MacInnes’ legacy, but we kindly ask that people refrain from attempting to access the area.”
The Aslam family expressed relief that no one was harmed during the fire and extended gratitude to the emergency services.
Inside shots of the lair, believed to have been where Savile abused up to 20 victims, reveal a scene of devastation with collapsed ceilings, shattered walls, and heaps of rubble.
The Aslam family said: “We would like to sincerely thank Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who dispatched crews from Fort William and Kinlochleven and worked diligently to bring the fire under control.
“We are relieved that no one was harmed during the incident.”
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