Jimmy Savile's cottage finally destroyed after years of fury - as council plans to turn site into 'high-quality family home'

Jimmy Savile's former Scottish Highlands residence has been torn down following years of complaints from local residents. The abandoned property, known as Allt-na-Reigh, had been spray-painted with various messages, including "bye Jimmy", "n**ce", "paedo" and more. It is believed that as many as 20 people were abused by Savile at the remote dwelling over the 13 years he owned it. Harris Aslam, who runs grocery chain Green's, purchased the cottage in 2021. He now wants to build a modern family home that will honour the renowned mountaineer Hamish MacInnes, a previous occupant of the property. The intention was always to raze the existing structure entirely and start fresh with new construction. Local councillors granted permission for the demolition in 2024, though concerns had been raised that the building remained standing. After almost two years, the structure has now finally been demolished. Photos from the site show metal fencing and barren rubble where the vile BBC broadcaster's home once stood. Andrew Baxter, councillor for Fort William and Ardnamurchan, admitted he felt embarrassed by it every time he passed the property. The house is dwarfed by soaring mountains - including the nearby Three Sisters ridges of the 1,150m (3,773ft) Biden nam Bian peak. Mr Baxter said: "I used to be a tour guide and I used to take visitors from around the world past that site and I would deliberately talk about things the other side of the road out the other window to try and distract them from this eyesore." The councillor noted that images of the property had circulated globally as it became a popular destination for social media photographs. He said: "The number of social media photos I see of people posing outside it is extraordinary." SCOTLAND - READ THE LATEST: Fraudster who posed as dead father demands interpreter in court - after living in UK for 20 years Police Scotland ramps up Commonwealth Games preparation with major rollout of new device Iranian man and Romanian woman charged after trying to enter British nuclear base A spokesman for Mr Aslam's company, Glenshire Properties, stated: "We are grateful to Highland Council for their swift support in approving a demolition warrant for Allt-na-Reigh, and for their continued assistance as the project progresses." They continued: "Demolition works are now underway in accordance with all approved planning permissions and building warrant consents." The public has been asked to stay away from the site while work continues for safety reasons. The spokesman added: "We recognise the significance of this location, set against the striking backdrop of the Three Sisters, and we are committed to delivering a sensitive and high-quality family home that reflects its surroundings." Plans include establishing a tribute to legendary mountaineer Dr Hamish MacInnes and his considerable achievements, such as the MacInnes stretcher and Terradactyl ice axe, both created in an outbuilding at the location. Savile, who presented Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It, was exposed as one of Britain's most prolific sex offenders after his death at 84 in 2011. The disgraced broadcaster lived at the property on the A82 from 1998 until his death, having first encountered the cottage on a cycling trip in 1944. The then-Prince Charles was once a dinner guest at the cottage, which also featured in Louis Theroux's documentary, When Louis Met Jimmy. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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