The times they are a changin’ at Bob Dylan’s former house in Cairngorms
The times they are about a changin’ at a stately home until recently owned by legendary US singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.
Major proposals have been approved by Highland Council planners for a major renovation of Aultmore House on the outskirts of Nethy Bridge.
Council officials have described the property as an ‘incredibly fine A-listed mansion’.
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They state in the planning report: “Houses of this scale and design are rare within Highland, and the link to the previous owner – Bob Dylan, also adds recent cultural interest.”
New owners Angus Dundee Distillers PLC have been given the green light to make improvements to the exterior and interior.
They also courted some controversy locally by renaming the property Tomintoul House.
The firm bought the historic mansion for £4.25 million with it being reported that Dylan made a £2 million profit.
A sales prospectus issued by agents when it went onto the market showed parts of the property looking in a sorry state.
Aultmore House was purchased by the legendary musician and his brother David Zimmerman for £2.2m in 2006 much to the astonishment of the local community.
But public sightings of Bob Dylan in and around the abode were very few and far between.
The new additions will include a cinema, gym, spa treatment rooms, snooker and table tennis room and golf simulator as part of a second floor leisure area.
Proposals have been approved for reinstatement of fountain’s centre piece, installing CCTV at the property’s gates, upgrading the long driveway and making the main outside steps more elegant.
Both Highland Council and Historic Environment Scotland had raised concerns about the potential loss or concealment of a large number of fire places throughout the property.
The owners have given assurances they will be retained.
HES said its preference was for them to remain exposed as they would ‘positively contribute to the architectural and historic character of the rooms’.
Concerns the materials being used to tarmac the drive to the property are also being addressed through a planning condition.
Council planner John Kelly said: “We visited the house earlier in the year with the agent and are familiar with the elements and areas for proposed works.
“Externally, the main alteration to the house is the replacement of the main entrance steps in an enlarged and enhanced design.
“This is acceptable as the existing concrete-faced steps are not original and they do not really do the main entrance justice.”
Council planners granted approval under delegated powers and said the work ‘will not adversely affect the building's character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.”
The large mansion house was built between 1912 and 1914 as a summer holiday residence for Aberdonian industrialist Archibald Merrilees.
The grand house set in 25 acres was sold after Merrliees’ death and extended in 1922 by the Nivinson family who owned the home was more than 50 years.
It was commandeered as a convalescent home during the Second World War.
Angus Dundee Distillers Plc produce award-winning whiskies including the Tomintoul single malt, Glencadam and Old Ballantruan.
It owns Tomintoul Distillery and Glencadam in Brechin and has a bottling and production plant in Coatbridge.
