Dubai Ruler with £14 Billion Fortune Planning Major Scottish Development
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, renowned for his £14 billion fortune, has set his sights on a major development in Scotland. The 74-year-old billionaire has submitted plans to construct an eighth house on his Inverinate Estate in Wester Ross, the Highlands. As an extension to accommodate visiting family members and friends, the proposed five-bedroom home is part of the sheikh’s ongoing efforts to expand his property portfolio on the 63,000-acre estate.
Over the past two decades, Sheikh Mohammed has acquired several properties in the expanse, including three large homes, a cottage, two lodges, and three helipads. However, his plans have previously sparked controversy among locals due to concerns over the impact on the surrounding natural beauty. Despite these objections, the sheikh has successfully pursued various development projects by navigating planning battles.
The current planning application highlights the need for additional accommodation to cater to Sheikh Mohammed’s family and friends who frequently visit the estate. It details the new build’s specifications, including the five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a lounge, dining room, and a snug area. Emphasizing the sensitivity of the design, the sheikh’s representatives assure that the proposed dwelling will harmoniously blend into the existing hillside pattern of development along the shore front.
The Highland Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application by March. Meanwhile, a separate application for a seventh property, an 11-bedroom lodge, is still awaiting official consideration after being submitted last year. The Scottish Government had previously overruled a council vote in favor of the sheikh’s plans for a six-bedroom lodge near Loch Duich, with the condition that he contributes to affordable housing in the area.
Beyond his ambitious development ventures in Scotland, Sheikh Mohammed has recently made headlines due to his high-profile divorce settlement. In December 2021, a London judge ordered the sheikh to pay his former wife, Princess Haya bint al-Hussein, £554 million, making it Britain’s largest divorce settlement. The ruling required an initial payment of £251.5 million within three months to ensure the security of Princess Haya and their two children.
As details of Sheikh Mohammed’s Scottish development unfold, both supporters and opponents eagerly await the final decision by the Highland Council. While the billionaire ruler’s plans have faced criticism in the past, his substantial wealth and determination continue to drive his ambitious vision for the picturesque Inverinate Estate.
