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Decision due on Stella McCartney's Highland home plans

Steven McKenzieHighlands and Islands reporter
Getty Images Alasdhair Willis is wearing a dark blue cap and tracksuit top and a pair of sunglasses with brown lenses. Stella McCartney has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a grey suit jacket. The couple are standing outside a large building and there are four horses in the background.Getty Images
A spokesperson for Stella McCartney and Alasdhair Willis described the property as a "forever home"

Councillors have been asked to approve plans by fashion designer Stella McCartney and her husband Alasdhair Willis for a clifftop home in Lochaber.

The proposals for a site on Loch Ailort, a sea loch west of Fort William, had received dozens of objections.

Opponents raised concerns about the property's size, design and impacts on the landscape and wildlife.

However, amended plans were submitted to Highland Council officers and they have recommended that councillors grant permission, subject to conditions.

McCartney and Willis' proposed site is in an area at Roshven called Commando Rock which historically was used for military training.

The daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has established herself as one of the world's leading fashion designers.

She was awarded a CBE in recognition of her services to fashion and sustainability in 2022.

Willis is a creative director at clothing brand Adidas.

Last week, a spokesperson said the couple had sought to deliver a "highly sustainable home that has been sympathetically designed".

They also said there had been planning permission for a property on the site dating from 2000 through a previous owner.

Brown & Brown Architects The property is single storey with stone walls and a turf roof.Brown & Brown Architects
Brown & Brown Architects A drone view of the site, a rocky shoreline on the loch with hills in the background.Brown & Brown Architects
Highland councillors were asked to consider amended plans for the property.
The site is in an area called Commando Rock.

The spokesperson said: "The proposed house has been sympathetically designed, using natural Scottish stone with a turfed roof, and will be secluded and barely visible due to the site's contours, including views from the water.

"This has been designed to blend into the landscape to a greater extent than the house under the existing permission."

They added: "Unlike many of the homes in the area, this is not a holiday home; it is a house that the applicant's family will live in, their forever home."

Highland Council's south planning applications committee is to meet to consider the plans.