Scotland's richest man gets approval to transform Loch Ness pub and beach

A pub on the shores of Loch Ness is set to be transformed under plans submitted by Scotland’s richest man.

Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife currently own the Dores Inn and nearly 300-year-old Aldourie Castle.

The couple have lodged plans to redevelop the pub in Loch Ness through their conservation company WildLand.

As part of the development, the pub will feature a new cafe/bakery, shop, and two car parks for over 110 vehicles.

It will offer outdoor facilities including public toilets, beach changing facilities and a boat jetty, as well as realigning the nearby burn and relocating a football pitch/play park.

Dores Inn restaurant sketch provided by WildLand. WildLand

Polvsen bought the Dores Inn to add to his extensive real estate portfolio in Scotland in 2024.

The 53-year-old is the largest private landowner in the country, overseeing 220,000 acres, which he intends to rewild.

Highland councillors voted unanimously to approve Polvsen’s ambitious plans for the Dores Inn.

The application was praised for its economic impacts on the small village, which sits on the northern shores of Loch Ness.

It also made clear that one of the best attractions in Dores, the beach, which sits close to the site, would remain open during construction works.

The application stated: “Phase 1 would involve the construction of the northern car park, allowing this area to become operational before the main construction works commence elsewhere on the site.

“During Phase 2, the completed northern car park would remain open for public use while works to the Dores Inn, bakery and associated facilities are undertaken.

“This area would accommodate temporary public toilets, food vendors, seating areas and waste facilities, whilst also maintaining public access to the beach and core path network.”

Joe Dunn, WildLand’s director of built development, said: “We welcome The Highland Council’s decision, which represents an important milestone following a thorough period of consultation, design development and technical assessment.

Sketch of the exterior where the cafe meets the beach. WildLand

“Dores Inn and the surrounding landscape have a distinctive character and are valued by many people. I’m hugely grateful to the entire development team for the care they have taken in shaping proposals that balance the restoration of the Inn as a place to enjoy with the practical needs of access, flood management, public facilities and year-round use.

“We will now work through the planning conditions and prepare carefully for the next stage.”

The historic inn dates back as far as the 1820s and has even played host to royalty when Queen Elizabeth II visited alongside Prince Philip in 1967.