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Revamp of pub owned by Scotland's richest man recommended for approval

News imageWildLand An illustration showing the historic, white-walled Dores Inn and a proposed extension to the building.WildLand
Plans for the Dores Inn are to go before councillors next week

Plans to renovate and extend a pub owned by Scotland's richest man have been recommended for approval by Highland Council planning officials.

Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne own the Dores Inn as well as the nearby 300-year-old Aldourie Castle and a number of Highland estates.

The Povlsens are developing the Dores Inn, in the village of Dores on Loch Ness, through their WildLand landscape conservation project.

The proposals for a bakery, cafe and shop go before Highland Council's south planning applications committee next week.

News imageGetty Images a bald man with a brown beard wearing a dark suit, white shirt and purple tieGetty Images
Anders Holch Povlsen owns a number of Highland estates and properties

The plans also include improving car parking and toilet provision.

The pub dates back to about the 1820s.

It has been proposed that the pub should be refurbished and have a new extension which WildLand said would be designed to "repair and enhance" the existing architecture of the building.

A small bakery, café and shop also form parts of the plans.

The proposals have been put out for public consultation.

News imageThe Dores Inn and nearby homes are on a shore of Loch Ness. The properties are bathed in sunlight.
News imageWildLand An illustration showing a planned extension at the Dores Inn. The extension is a wooden, single-storey building with beams and part of it has a glass frontage. WildLand
The Dores Inn, left, is on a shore of Loch Ness south of Inverness
WidlLand has proposed building an extension to the Dores Inn.

WildLand has previously said construction would be phased to ensure that Dores Beach remained open and accessible.

In February, Joe Dunn, WildLand's director of built development, said: "These proposals reflect a considered and incremental approach to looking after a place that is used and valued by many people.

"The focus has been on understanding the site, listening to feedback, and allowing the landscape and everyday use of the area to guide how change is made."

The Dores Inn pub and restaurant is a landmark on the southern shore of Loch Ness, south of Inverness.

It was visited by Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Phillip in 1967.

Over the years, owners of the Dores Inn have included local community stalwart Ella Macrae.