Strategic development plan for the Inverlochy Castle Estate
- Client Name
- Inverlochy Castle Estate
- Location
- Fort William, Scotland
Challenge
SLR's Place team led the preparation of an outline strategic development plan for the Inverlochy Castle Estate. The Estate encompasses 117.7 hectares and is home to Inverlochy Castle Hotel, the most renowned small luxury 5-star hotel in Scotland. The hotel is a grade B listed 19th-century baronial mansion and is located amidst some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland. As such, there are a large number of landscape designations covering the surrounding area, reaffirming the sensitivity, beauty and inherent attraction of the region.
Solution
While the hotel and setting are precious, it is not resistant to change. Through the course of the last 5 to 10 years, which has included challenging economic times worldwide, the hotel has continued to excel as a premier destination, in turn attracting people to Fort William and Lochaber. Inverlochy Castle Estate is excited by the opportunities that the wider Estate could provide in expanding and diversifying its offer, harnessing the intrinsic beauty of the Estate and its setting at the foot of Ben Nevis and head of the Great Glen. As a result, Inverlochy Castle Estate are keen to establish an appropriate development plan for the Estate that will help invigorate the wider land holding and contribute significantly to the wider economic community by planning for the continued success over the next 20 years and beyond. A crucial first step was providing a response to The Highland Council ‘Call for Sites and Ideas’ in preparation of the West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan.
Impact
Diversification options have examined the assets available on the Estate and how these could be used to produce sustainable economic activity. The opportunities being considered include culture and heritage attractions; visitor accommodation – both new build and refurbishment of existing buildings; residential development; affordable housing, events and activities, restaurant and other commercial development options.
Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, i-cubed, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, IGN, IGP
