Owners of a prestigious Inverness estate have outlined plans to restore two historic boathouses on the banks of Loch Ness.
Aldourie Castle Estate is situated on Strath Dores, located between the southern shores of Loch Ness and the steep sides of the Glen; just eight miles west of Inverness.
The estate is owned by Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, who tragically lost three of his four children in the Sri Lanka bombings in April last year.
Following investigations of the vast grounds, remnants of two historic boathouses have been discovered on the shoreline.
The structures are believed to have been created as part of a large expansion to the Castle Estate in the 19th century.
In an effort to preserve the rich history of the grounds, curators of the estate have now outlined plans to restore what has been lost, through recreating the two boathouses.
A full planning application has now been lodged to the Highland Council to obtain Listed Building Consent for the works.
Evidence from the turn of the 20th century shows a heather thatched open timber boathouse protected by a palisaded timber fence.
All that remains of the original framework today is the palisade posts, which can still be seen from the shoreline.
With potential risk of flooding, given the proximity to the Loch, estate owners are hoping to restore the unique boathouse on top of a floating platform to form as a sauna for residing guests on the estate.
Outlined within the plans, they explained: “Current proposals involve the reinstatement of a building in this location following the same simple prismatic form, and will involve the reinstatement of the boardwalk and palisade on the existing timber piles, if possible.
“Although the use has not been completely determined, it is thought that this building may eventually function as a sauna in support of the castle’s hospitality role.”
Sighted on the water’s edge to the left of the former timber thatch lies a concrete base structure, formally home to a larger boathouse.
Developers have outlined plans to recreate a heather thatched timer two-storey structure on the existing grounds to serve as a periodic boathouse, known to have been a popular steeple in the late 19th century.
Developers are hoping the boathouse may “incorporate an upper chamber” for residents to enjoy Loch Ness or create “a small base for tea or picnics which remain under cover” in light of sudden changes in weather.”
Aldourie Castle Estates dates back to the early 17th century where it was first recorded as a mansion in 1626.
Following a number of extensions and adaptions through the generations, the authentic historic monument achieve its status in the 19th century.
For more than 220 years, the property has evolved, both physically and in its use, whilst maintaining the character of Aldourie through attention to detail.
It now stands as the only habitual Castle on Loch Ness.
