The Kings House Hotel. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Outdoor groups have objected to plans for a large three-storey extension to the Kings House Hotel at the head of Glen Coe.
The hostelry, in the shadow of Buachaille Etive Mòr, has long been a favourite of climbers and walkers, but Mountaineering Scotland said the proposed ‘industrial-style’ building is out of keeping with the location.
The John Muir Trust and the National Trust for Scotland have also lodged objections to the plans by Black Corries Estate Management.
Mountaineering Scotland said the hotel on Rannoch Moor has long been a favourite of mountaineers, dating back to the pioneering climbers in the first half of the last century.
The organisation, which represents mountaineers, hillwalkers and climbers north of the border, wants to call time on the plans. It argues the extension would be completely out of character both with the original building and the surrounding landscape, which is part of a national scenic area.
The large three-storey extension to the original two-story hotel would mean demolishing existing extensions which date back to the 1960s.
Mountaineering Scotland chief executive David Gibson said: “The Kings House Hotel is located in a part of the national scenic area which is recognised for its unique and unrivalled natural heritage, but the proposed development appears as an industrial-style building. It is not sympathetic to its surroundings or to the existing historic hotel building.”
The body did not object to an application for a smaller building, which received consent last year,
Glen Coe and Buachaille Etive Mòr. Photo: Bob Smith/grough
Mr Gibson said: “Scottish mountaineering, and many of our members, have a long association with the Kings House and we recognise its value as an amenity. We did not object to the original planning application made in 2016 – which was granted by Highland Council – because we felt it was more in keeping with both the original building and the landscape.
“But this new application is arguably no different to hotel buildings found in large cities and certainly does not ‘respect, enhance or make responsible use of our natural assets’ as required by the national planning framework.”
“Mountaineering Scotland is not against the appropriate development of the Kings House and would support a well designed extension as proposed in the 2016 application, but the new proposal is most certainly not well designed or in keeping with its surroundings and we object to it.”
The National Trust for Scotland said the national scenic area description for Glen Coe calls it one of the most spectacular scenic experiences in Scotland and development needs careful handling.
It added that the extension would dwarf the historically significant existing building.
The John Muir Trust said the new building was incongruous and would ‘stick out like a sore thumb’.
The Kings House Hotel stands at the side of Scotland’s most popular long-distance trail, the West Highland Way.
Mike Merchant
30 September 2017What other country would let people abuse one of its most striking, and most treasured views in this way?
And do you think the Fleming banking family, who I understand own the Kingshouse, or the Leckies of Crieff Hydro, who I understand are the managers, would put up with some banal, intrusive building in their own backyards?
Tofumonster
03 October 2017To my knowledge the Fleming family owns Blackmount Estate whilst Kingshouse was bought by Black Corries Estate
John Sinclair
05 October 2017Mike Merchant, I would recheck your post. The community of Glen Etive have the privilege to live there and the glen is there to be shared by everyone. EE has pulled out of putting the next generation of emergency communications in the glen, in my opinion siting them ( 3x10 meter poles) by the road side was the best option, anywhere else hill roads would needed to be constructed. The powerful lobby groups had their own agenda and manipulated the procedure to undermined the democratic process.
The NTS is just after power and money, do not bother coming to Glen Etive Thursday 12th October 2017, there are road closures and major restrictions with over 170 people and filming equipment descending on the glen and being controlled by a private security detachment. The mantra of it generates money is silencing the fragile voice of sustainable tourism. What has this got to do with the Kings House extension, link this to FIT (Film induced Tourism) and read the academic papers written about it, one film location can have a 45 year tourism effect on the actual film location, can increase a 300% foot fall to a location. Should a film location consider the long term effect on an area. What I am trying to say we all mean well and respect the area but there is no meaningful and constructive long term planning for this area, powerful lobby groups being steered by tight managing groups have hijacked the democratic process for their minority views. I have a solution for the film industry in my area, a code of conduct, not a new idea and it benefits everyone, NTS refuse to attend the local community council meetings, they are the worse landowner in Glen Etive. Yes I do have a chip on my shoulders about the NTS behavior, one on each shoulder so I am still well balanced.
Julie Clark
12 October 2017Oh god no, I escape city life to travel 6 hours plus to the peace, nature, historical value and sheer awesomeness of the mountains surrounding Loch Etive. Sadly by motorhome now since the hotel has closed. Refurb this Scottish treasure and bring it back to its former glory, albeit the wonky fireplace and walls. Don’t you get it? Us city folk adore and crave our Scottish cousins history. Please, no high rise here, I’m all for expansion and growth but don’t take away this hotels identity.