New life for garden near Drummuir Castle, glamping pod near Ben Rinnes and Elgin home garage to be turned into a home

Welcome to our regular look at the latest planning applications in Moray.

Officials have approved work to convert an Elgin garage into a home.

An estate owner is looking to renovate domestic buildings and build accommodation pods in a walled garden near Drummuir Castle.

Planning permission is sought to finish off work to build a glamping pod near Ben Rinnes.

More details on each of these applications below.

SUBMITTED: Project taking place at walled garden near Drummuir Castle

Torquil Gordon-Duff is looking to renovate domestic buildings and build accommodation pods in a walled garden near Drummuir Castle.

The castle itself which sits between Dufftown and Keith used to be Diageo’s Home of Scotch Whisky on Speyside until the company left in 2016.

In 2020, Mr Gordon-Duff and his family gained vacant possession of the castle.

Here are the buildings which have fallen into disrepair: 

The existing walled garden is currently overgrown, and a number of buildings are in a state of disrepair.

The bothy will be converted and extended to create a better living space, with the sitting room on the first floor, and the kitchen, dining, and bedroom on the ground floor.

Meanwhile a derelict cottage will be made more habitable by insulating it, installing new windows and doors, and adding a new extension and porch, creating a one
bedroom accessible house.

The glass vinery will house washing machines, storage cupboards and a central toilet.

Around four accommodation pods are proposed in the garden.

These will be used for rental accommodation under caravan rights

Floor plans for accommodation pods: 

This story was amended on December 5, 2022, to make clear that Diageo left Drummuir Castle in 2016 and Torquil Gordon-Duff and his family now own the castle.

SUBMITTED: Glamping pod at Speyside distillery

Benrinnes Distillery is seeking retrospective consent to finish off work to build a glamping pod.

The distillery near Aberlour was built by Peter Mackenzie in 1826.

It lies at the foot of Ben Rinnes.

This project was started on site without permission but has not been completed.

The sleeping and shower pods were supplied by Viking Industrier, Latvia.

Now retrospective application is sought for this partially completed project.

APPROVED: Convert garage to Elgin accommodation

Plans to convert garage to living accommodation at Elgin home have been endorsed by council.

Work will go ahead at the garage near a property at 51 Fogwatt Lane in Elgin.

It is permitted through an amended order which means no formal planning application was required.

The property will remain a three-bedroom home with the kitchen extended.

Papers say the proposals requires no additional foul or surface water drainage nor does it increase flood risk.

Further planning applications can be viewed using Moray Council’s portal.

Spotted any plans you think we should know about? Get in touch at north@ajl.co.uk