When you are well heeled and own a remote Highland sporting estate, a helicopter complete with landing pad is a “must have” mode of transport.
But if you are a multibillionaire and one of the world’s richest men why skimp with one heli-pad?
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, the crown prince and ruler of Dubai, instead wants to build no less than four helicopter landing zones within the walled garden of his Inverinate Estate to take the occasional fleet of helicopters.
This is to allow corporate and private guests to be flown straight into the beautiful grounds in Lochalsh.
The 63,000 acres site overlooks Loch Duich and is close to iconic Eilean Donan Castle.
Plans lodged with Highland Council by KJ Architects of Newmarket show four landing pads 65ft square, with a 29ft circle for the aircraft to land on.
A new vehicle entrance nearly 20ft wide, will be created to the north, to allow emergency access, while a gravel footpath will be laid to link the access, pads and the existing path to the big house Inverinate Lodge.
A design statement with the application states: “Helicopter has been selected as the most appropriate form of transport given the site’s remote location. The isolated nature of the site will ensure no residential properties will be affected by noise from arrivals/departures.
“The nearest neighbour is a significant distance from the site.
“It is worth noting that use of the site by helicopter is not a new activity and that to date, there has been no adverse impacts recorded by residential properties in the wider surrounding area.”
The sheikh is a well-known racehorse breeder.
He bought 63,000-acre Inverinate Estate more than 30 years ago and he visits with relatives in the summer.
With several wives and a growing family, in 2014 the sheikh decided the existing lodge was too small.
The estate applied for permission to build a new 16-bedroom mansion, including a swimming pool, gym and other leisure facilities.
The plans were approved by the council officers in October last year.
A number of amendments to the designs were approved earlier this year. Alterations included expanding the leisure facilities because of the relocation of a nearby substation.