Gloag set to evict retired couple
ONE of Scotland’s richest women, Ann Gloag, is proposing to evict an elderly couple from the cottage they have occupied for more than 40 years to turn it into a holiday home.
Retired joiner Jimmy Bryan, 72 and his wife, Lillie, 75, will be thrown out of Mid Cottage on the Beaufort Estate, near Beauly, 10 miles from Inverness, by the end of June to allow contractors to move in to modernise the century-old property.
But the move has angered local people in the sporadic community around Beaufort Castle, which the former Stagecoach owner bought in 1994.
The Lovat family were forced to sell the seat of the Clan Fraser to pay off inheritance tax after the deaths of the Commando hero and his son, Simon, who took over the running of the estate.
A castle has stood on the Fraser land on the Beaufort Estate since the late 13th century but was destroyed in the Cromwellian era in the 17th century. It was rebuilt in the mid-19th century and estate workers were accommodated in its outer buildings and cottages.
But since Mrs Gloag purchased the property there has been a steady policy of former estate workers leaving their homes to make way for Mrs Gloag’s plan to turn them into holiday let.
Mr Bryan said last night: “I worked for the estate for 40 years. Now she wants us out.
“Last Wednesday I received an eviction letter from Gloag Investments informing us they wanted to modernise Mid Lodge Cottage – our home – to convert it into a holiday let
“We have to be out by June 30. We were devastated. We have never met the woman and I would not want to now.”
He said it would be a “huge wrench” to leave the Beaufort Estate after 40 years.
“We love the place but we wouldn’t want to stay on even if she allowed us,” he said. “We would feel uncomfortable and expect her to make it difficult for us to remain.”
The Bryans’ plight has angered the local community.
Their 44-year-old daughter, Julie, highlighted their predicament on Facebook and it has attracted dozens of comments all criticising Mrs Gloag.
Mrs Gloag or the Gloag Foundation did not comment last night.