The owners of Jimmy Savile's former Highlands house of horror have assured that the derelict cottage, which was recently engulfed in flames, will be demolished within weeks. The fire broke out at the Allt-na-Reigh property on Saturday, February 8, causing significant damage to the outbuilding and temporarily closing the A82 between Tyndrum and Ballachulish Bridge, a crucial route between the Central Belt and Fort William.

Savile, who was exposed as one of Britain's most prolific and high-profile sex offenders after his death in 2011, owned Allt-na-Reigh for around 13 years. From 1998 until his death, he lived in the bungalow built opposite the Three Sisters of Glencoe.

Since revelations of his widespread sexual abuse emerged, the property has been repeatedly vandalised, turning it into an eyesore in one of Scotland's most picturesque locations. In 2021, Fife entrepreneur Harris Aslam, owner of Greens Retail Ltd, acquired the property.

Last year, Highland councillors unanimously approved plans to demolish the cottage and replace it with a new three-bedroom family home. Mr Aslam had planned to preserve and renovate the outbuilding as former owner Hamish MacInnes-celebrated for his contributions to mountaineering-developed the MacInnes Stretcher and the Terrordactyl Ice Axe there.

Dr. MacInnes lived at Allt-na-Reigh from 1961 to 1987,

"Planning permission for the cottage's demolition was approved in June 2024, alongside plans for a contemporary, architecturally refined residence designed to blend harmoniously with Glen Coe's breathtaking landscape," stated the family to the Oban Times. "While we have been in the process of securing a building warrant, recent events have accelerated our engagement with Highland Council's building standards team to ensure the site is made safe as a priority.

"Given the sensitive nature of the surrounding environment and the complexity of the project's design, specialist construction methods will be required, meaning development will take time. However, we remain fully committed to beginning demolition as soon as possible, with broader redevelopment targeted to start in Spring/Summer 2025.

"We recognise the public interest in this site, particularly given Hamish MacInnes' legacy, but we kindly ask that people refrain from attempting to access the area."

The Aslam family expressed their relief that no one was harmed during the fire and extended their gratitude towards the emergency responders. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but investigations are currently underway.

Inside the den, it is believed Savile abused 20 victims; images now reveal a scene of destruction with collapsed ceilings, smashed walls, and heaps of rubble. Attempts were made to deter vandals by whitewashing the property, yet derogatory terms such as 'beast' and 'paedo' are still visible on its exterior walls.

"We understand that the outbuilding at Allt-na-Reigh caught fire over the weekend, causing significant disruption to the A82 and requiring an emergency response," the Aslam's added. "We would like to sincerely thank Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who dispatched crews from Fort William and Kinlochleven and worked diligently to bring the fire under control.

"We are relieved that no one was harmed during the incident."

After Savile's passing, the modest two-bedroom bungalow went under the hammer, snapping up a £212,000 bid from a buyer originally planning to reside there. However, the property soon changed hands again, shelling out a cool £335,000 to Harris Aslam's family, the tycoon behind Kirkcaldy's Eros Retail empire.

Initial plans for renovation faced stiff resistance, ruffled feathers with Heritage Scotland over unfitting aesthetics to the picturesque locale, but ultimately, bulldozers got the nod last year to pave the way for a more spacious four-bedroom dwelling.