One of Scotland’s richest women has angered locals over plans for an outward bound centre on one of her estates that it is claimed could destroy a historic battlefield.
Dame Ann Gloag, who with her brother Sir Brian Souter is worth about £875million – bought the six-bedroomed Glassingall House, with its own all-weather tennis court and paddocks two years ago.
She plans to build an activity centre with water sports facilities and 135 bespoke holiday lodges on her estate in Perthshire.
Dame Ann founded the Stagecoach Group in 1980 with her brother.
Active Stirling says this facility has been developed and designed in conjunction with the Leisure Trust, with the ambition of creating a high quality, regional hub for schools and community groups.
But local people say the development could have a detrimental impact on the site of the Battle Of Sheriffmuir.
Pete Bicheno, from the Glassingall Residents’ Association, said: “Such a development will cause upset to people living in the Glassingall area.
“I feel these 135 chalets will be to the detriment of the environment and the history of the area.
“Each chalet could accommodate up to six people requiring at least two cars and vehicles will be coming in and out. It could create a traffic problem.”
The Battle Of Sheriffmuir in 1715 was at the height of the Jacobite rising in England and Scotland.
Shortly after Scotland and England were united in 1707, but not all Scots were happy with Queen Anne being the ruling monarch.
In particular the Jacobites, who were supporters of the House Of Stuart, sought to exploit the general unrest within Scottish society.
They claimed James Francis Edward Stuart, the son of James II and VII of England, was the rightful heir to the throne after his father was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
When George I was proclaimed King Of Great Britain And Ireland in 1714, John Erskine, Earl Of Mar, began to raise a Jacobite army in an attempt to return James Francis Edward Stuart, the Old Pretender, to the throne.
In response, a combined government force of Scottish and English regiments commanded by the Duke Of Argyll was dispatched to confront the rebels.
The two armies finally met each other on November 13, 1715 at Sheriffmuir, east of Dunblane.
Although the Highland forces of the Jacobites greatly outnumbered those of the government by almost two to one, Mar was not an experienced military commander and was forced to retreat.
Dr Alastair Mann, Professor Of History And Politics at Stirling University, also claims there was once a Roman road running through the site.
He added: “The estate dates back almost 2,000 years. “The world’s oldest Roman frontier road lies within Glassingall. It is testament to Roman engineering that the road remained in use for the next 1,700 years.
“We have uncovered an 18th century map that shows the Jacobite army marched along this road on the eve of the Battle Of Sheriffmuir in 1715.”
The plans were unveiled last August with a proposal of application notice being submitted to Stirling Council that is still yet to be considered.
It also comes just weeks after the 77-year-old tycoon won a battle to build a new house on land near her castle, despite opposition from neighbours. Dame Ann Gloag’s land is to be used for a three-bedroom home close to Kinfauns Castle, east of Perth.
The tycoon purchased Glassingall House, through Glassingall Estate Limited. The newly formed company is wholly owned by Mrs Gloag’s Highland and Universal Investments Ltd.
The property was built in the 18th century and is famous as the “House of Shaws” in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped story. The Scottish author penned Kidnapped in 1886 and is said to have based the plot on the family that occupied Old Glassingall at the time.
The much-loved, classic story is set in Scotland just after the Jacobite rebellions. Dame Ann was approached for comment.
Previously, Dame Gloag – who is donating the land to Active Stirling for the new centre – has previously said of the plans “they will bring back life and economic activity to the idyllic grounds of the Glassingall Estate, creating much needed rural jobs”.
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