Plans to rebuild the fire-destroyed former residence of occultist Aleister Crowley backed by Highland Council planning officials
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A FIRE-STRICKEN historic mansion on the shores of Loch Ness could rise from the ashes under plans recommended for approval by Highland Council.
Boleskine House, hit by a catastrophic blaze in December 2015, was bought by a charitable foundation in July last year.
Work in the site near Foyers village, salvaging remnants of the 200-year-old structure, is already under way.
The foundation’s vision is for a £1.2 million restoration of the category B-listed main building, creating a residence and heritage attraction.
It also wants to build 10 sunken, grass-roofed holiday lets, with a reception, store, car parking and sewage treatment plant.
The plan has attracted letters of support and others which raise concerns about the estate’s colourful history. It has won fame and notoriety through previous owners including occultist Aleister Crowley and Led Zeppelin rock star Jimmy Page.
Council reports show councillors will be asked to give the plans conditional approval next week.
Among only minor concerns raised, councillors could make 12 demands for improvement to the B852 Foyers to Inverness public road including a widening, improved surfacing, signage and passing space.
A new footpath would provide walkers and cyclists with a route off the B852, while access to nearby forest walks would be guaranteed.
In a report about listed building consent for reinstatement plans, Norman Brockie, area planning manager (south), stated: “Comments have been submitted by individuals objecting to the development as it will make the site a place of pilgrimage for Satanists and other followers of Aleister Crowley.
“This is not the applicant’s intention.
“In any event, it is not in itself a material planning consideration.”
In another report about the reinstatement and holidays lodges, Elaine Watt, area planning manager (south), acknowledged “substantial” written support for the economic benefit to the Foyers area in employment and tourism.
Despite the house’s “long, complicated and emotive past”, she concluded: “The applicant does not seek to celebrate any particular one of these characters but, through the restoration of the house, tell some of that story.
“There is no evidence to substantiate any claims made and, even if there was, it is not relevant to the determination of this application.”
