The billionaire’s new bothy that won’t cost you a penny to stay in
ONE of Scotland’s richest landowners has paid for the refurbishment of a remote cottage – so walkers can stay there free.
Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, who owns 218,000 acres in Scotland, is believed to have spent more than £200,000 on a complete renovation of a bothy on his Glenfeshie Estate in Inverness-shire.
For years, it had been used as an overnight shelter by those enjoying the stunning mountain scenery of the Cairngorms. But it is understood Mr Povlsen inspected the hut and decided it had become too damp and rundown, so he has paid for a makeover.
Bothies are found throughout Scotland’s remote mountainous areas. They are usually basic shelters, left unlocked and available for anyone to use free of charge.
While most are fairly spartan, containing little more than a basic stove and a sleeping bench, the Glenfeshie bothy now has some luxury touches in keeping with the retail tycoon’s vast wealth.
As part of the efforts to make the building more attractive for hikers, artwork has been hung on the walls, including a print of The Monarch Of The Glen by Victorian artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who visited the area to make sketches for the famous painting.
Where the whitewashed walls had been blackened by soot from the fire over the years, the stonework has been cleaned and repointed.
To keep out the howling wind, there is a new roof as well as expensive double-glazed windows with brass fittings.
The interior has been transformed with bespoke joinery and a solid wooden floor.
A bench, chairs and a small table are laid out in the main room, which is adorned with decorative lanterns. The old fireplace has been replaced with a £1,400 Jotul cast-iron stove.
Upstairs, two bedrooms with dormer windows are closed off by a solid wood door decorated with wrought iron and gold paint.
The property has fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Mr Povlsen has even supplied kitchen utensils.
While there is no electricity or running water, a new toilet block is situated outside.
The door of the bothy is unlocked. But getting the chance to sample the billionaire’s hospitality, however, is still not for the fainthearted as it involves hiking for four miles from the nearest car park and crossing a burn.
Mr Povlsen is the owner of international fashion business Bestseller and the biggest shareholder in British online fashion company Asos. He also owns £100 million of Highland property.
Last week, we told how two ‘designer’ cottages at Glenfeshie were available as holiday lets.
A spokesman for Mr Povlsen said it was important that walkers should use the bothy responsibly.
He added: ‘It is beautiful, it is fantastic. It’s known by those who are very keen on the environment and keen on the mountains.’