The bungalow was severely damaged after a fire broke out last week, and its owners have now confirmed that it will be demolished within the coming weeks.

The former Highlands cottage of Jimmy Savile, which was recently engulfed in flames, will soon be removed from the landscape as its current owners have pledged to proceed with demolition. The fire, which erupted on Saturday, February 8, significantly damaged the Allt-na-Reigh property. The blaze also led to the temporary closure of the A82 between Tyndrum and Ballachulish Bridge, a critical transportation route linking the Central Belt to Fort William.

Savile, who later became known as one of Britain’s most notorious sex offenders, owned the property for about 13 years before his death in 2011. Since the revelations about his extensive history of abuse, the house has suffered repeated acts of vandalism, turning it into an eyesore in one of Scotland’s most scenic regions.

In 2021, the property was purchased by Harris Aslam, a Fife-based entrepreneur and owner of Greens Retail Ltd. Seeking to erase its dark past, Aslam planned to redevelop the site. Highland councillors unanimously approved demolition plans last year, allowing for the replacement of the cottage with a new three-bedroom family home.

Aslam had initially planned to preserve and renovate the outbuilding due to its historical connection to Hamish MacInnes, the renowned mountaineer who once owned the property. MacInnes, a pioneer in mountain rescue equipment, developed the MacInnes Stretcher and the Terrordactyl Ice Axe at Allt-na-Reigh. He lived there from 1961 until 1987, according to reports from the Daily Record.

“Planning permission for the demolition of the cottage was granted in June 2024, along with approval for a modern, architecturally refined residence designed to complement the breathtaking landscape of Glen Coe,” the Aslam family shared with the Oban Times. “While we have been in the process of obtaining a building warrant, recent events have accelerated our discussions with Highland Council’s building standards team to ensure the site is secured as a priority.”

The family emphasized the complexity of the project, noting that its sensitive environmental surroundings and intricate design would require specialized construction methods. While this will extend the development timeline, they remain committed to starting the demolition as soon as possible. The broader redevelopment is expected to commence in Spring or Summer 2025.

“We understand the public interest in this site, especially given the legacy of Hamish MacInnes, but we kindly ask that people refrain from trying to access the area,” the family added.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire that consumed the abandoned house, where it is believed that Savile abused at least 20 victims. Images from inside the structure reveal extensive destruction, including collapsed ceilings, shattered walls, and piles of debris.

Despite previous attempts to whitewash the property to deter vandalism, graffiti with words such as “beast” and “paedo” remain scrawled across its exterior walls, a stark reminder of the property’s tainted history.

“We understand that the outbuilding at Allt-na-Reigh caught fire over the weekend, causing considerable disruption along the A82 and requiring an emergency response,” the Aslam family stated. “We sincerely appreciate the efforts of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who quickly dispatched crews from Fort William and Kinlochleven and worked tirelessly to control the fire.

“We are relieved that no one was injured during the incident.”

Following Savile’s death, the small two-bedroom bungalow was put up for auction, selling for £212,000 to a buyer who initially intended to turn it into a home. However, the property later changed hands once more when the Aslam family, who run Kirkcaldy-based Eros Retail, purchased it for approximately £335,000.

Despite initial resistance from heritage preservation groups concerned about the impact of redevelopment on the picturesque landscape, authorities ultimately approved the demolition of the existing structure last year. The new construction project will replace the infamous bungalow with a four-bedroom family home, further distancing the site from its disturbing past.

The fire has only hastened the inevitable, pushing the owners to expedite their plans to clear the site. While the property has stood for decades, its legacy is one that the Highlands community has long wished to leave behind. Now, with the forthcoming demolition, the area will finally be free of the dark shadow cast by its notorious former owner.