Locals fear the Scottish village of Kenmore is becoming a 'playground' for American billionaires / 'It is literally a ghost town'

'It is literally a ghost town': Locals fear Scottish village is becoming a 'playground' for American billionaires

 

Kenmore sits on the banks of the River Tay and is home to around 100 residents. Arizona-based Investors Discovery Land Company has snapped up a lot of real estate in the region, which is causing concerns among the locals the area is becoming "hoarded by the elite".

 

Connor Gillies

Scotland correspondent @ConnorGillies

Saturday 22 July 2023 15:54, UK

https://news.sky.com/story/kenmore-fears-strangled-perthshire-village-becoming-playground-for-american-super-rich-12924059

 

There are fears a peaceful Perthshire village is becoming a "ghost town" for locals who claim American billionaires are taking over to create a "playground" for the super-rich.

 

Kenmore sits on the banks of the stunning River Tay and is home to about 100 residents.

 

Neighbouring Taymouth Castle, built in 1842, and its vast swaths of land have been bought up by an Arizona-based business which boasts of transforming the area into a plush resort for the mega-wealthy.

 

Investors Discovery Land Company (DLC) - which claims to be one of the most exclusive residential real estate development companies in the world - has also snapped up and subsequently closed the local hotel and post office.

 

The foreign business empire has also bought several homes as concerns mount that the area is becoming "hoarded by the elite".

 

It has been reported DLC's clients include billionaires, CEOs, presidents and celebrities.

 

A recent sales brochure from the US firm suggested the plans would include "a community including 208 residential units and club suites" and is only "30 minutes by helicopter" to Scotland's major cities.

 

The castle restoration project was given planning permission by Perth and Kinross Council in 2011.

 

Locals suggest their surroundings are being strangled and have mounted a petition to "fight back".

 

Campaigner Rob Jamieson told Sky News: "In their other developments their homes range from £3m to £50m. They are going to try and close this all off. They don't want the great unwashed walking past their high-end homes.

 

"None of us will ever set foot in it unless we want to tug a forelock. It is everything that a rich person could ever want but they never have to leave the confines of that estate. They are not going to be going out for tea and scones to the local tearoom.

 

"It is abhorrence to those of us who live around here."

 

Kenmore.

DLC rejected numerous Sky News interview requests but insisted all regulations were being followed, including Scottish legislation giving the public the right to roam on paths surrounding the historic castle.

 

A spokeswoman did not deny suggestions the area will become a gated community.

 

The company website states the golf course and amenities will be "reserved" for the owners.